Cardinal Health Inc vs iShares Gold Trust — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $226.87 (market cap $53.89B), while iShares Gold Trust trades at $76.39. The key difference: Cardinal Health Inc pays a 0.89% dividend while iShares Gold Trust pays none, and Cardinal Health Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares Gold Trust nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $53.89B | — |
Sector | Health | Commodities - Metals/Agriculture |
52-Week High | $239.71 | $101.57 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $61.62 |
Enterprise Value | $58.87B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.89% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Cardinal Health (CAH) trades at $233.66, down 0.91% in the last session, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $3.17 surpassing expectations. Revenue reached $222.58 billion in 2025, though net margins remain thin at 0.62%. Recent news highlights growth potential in medical supplies, with earnings results for fiscal 2026 due August 11.
The outlook for CAH is positive, driven by earnings momentum and sector tailwinds, but risks include high leverage with debt-to-asset ratio at 16.09% and competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $248 price target, suggesting 6% upside. Investors should weigh solid operational cash flow against negative shareholder equity and investing outflows.
IAU, the iShares Gold Trust ETF, is trading at $75.25, down 2.6% with a bearish technical outlook. The ETF faces pressure from rising Treasury yields and Federal Reserve policy uncertainty, though recent weaker CPI data provided temporary support. Gold remains a key asset amid geopolitical tensions and central bank accumulation, with the fund offering low-cost exposure to physical gold.
The outlook for IAU is mixed, balancing strong long-term fundamentals against near-term headwinds. Gold's role as a hedge and central bank demand provide support, but Fed policy and dollar strength pose risks. The ETF's structure offers efficient gold access, but price volatility requires careful position sizing.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Cardinal Health is a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler, engaged in the sourcing and distribution of branded, generic, and specialty pharmaceutical products to pharmacies (retail chains, independent, and mail-order), hospitals networks, and healthcare providers. Along with AmerisourceBergen and McKesson, the three compose well over 90% of the U.S. pharmaceutical wholesale industry. Cardinal Health also supplies medical-surgical products and equipment to healthcare facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Read more on CAH →IAU is a physically backed ETF that seeks to reflect the performance of the price of gold. It provides a convenient and liquid way for investors to include gold in their portfolios as a potential hedge.
Read more on IAU →