Cardinal Health Inc vs Medtronic PLC — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $238.5 (market cap $55.88B), while Medtronic PLC trades at $88.79 (market cap $116.07B). The key difference: Medtronic PLC is far larger — about 2.1× Cardinal Health Inc's market cap, and Medtronic PLC pays the higher dividend (3.18%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | MDT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $55.88B | $116.07B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $240.26 | $105.35 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $73.75 |
Enterprise Value | $59.91B | $134.82B |
Dividend Yield | 0.86% | 3.18% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Cardinal Health (CAH) trades at $237.18, up 0.33% on the day, near its 52-week high. The stock shows bullish technical signals with consistent earnings beats, including Q2 2026 EPS of $2.91 versus $2.42 expected. Revenue reached $222.58 billion in 2025, with net income margin improving to 0.67%. Positive sentiment is driven by strong Q4 2026 results and optimistic fiscal 2027 guidance highlighted by Reuters on August 11, 2026.
Outlook remains favorable with analyst consensus price target of $266.43 implying 12% upside. Key opportunities include pharmaceutical segment strength and dividend payments, while risks involve high debt levels and thin profit margins. The bullish analyst stance (54.55% buy ratings) supports growth potential, but investors should monitor cash flow volatility and competitive pressures.
Medtronic (MDT) trades at $89.41, up 2.58% on the day, reflecting positive momentum. The stock exhibits bullish technical signals with strong moving average support and a consensus analyst price target of $98.75. Fundamentally, the company reported revenue of $33.54B for 2025 with a net income margin of 13.2%, and has consistently beaten EPS estimates in recent quarters. Recent news highlights institutional acquisitions and positive developments in medical technology platforms.
The outlook for MDT is positive, driven by earnings beats, robust cash flow, and growth in cardiac and robotic surgery segments. Key opportunities include undervaluation relative to analyst targets and dividend stability. Risks involve rising debt levels and competitive pressures in the medtech sector. The stock presents a compelling case for growth-oriented income investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →One of the largest medical device companies, Medtronic develops and manufactures therapeutic medical devices for chronic diseases. Its portfolio includes pacemakers, defibrillators, heart valves, stents, insulin pumps, spinal fixation devices, neurovascular products, advanced energy, and surgical tools. The company markets its products to healthcare institutions and physicians in the United States and overseas. Foreign sales account for almost 50% of the company's total sales.
Read more on MDT →