Compare Cardinal Health Inc (CAH) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Cardinal Health Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $236.68 (market cap $55.88B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $133.58 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 5.8× Cardinal Health Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $55.88B | $321.77B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $240.26 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $59.91B | $368.53B |
Dividend Yield | 0.86% | 2.61% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
Merck & Co. (MRK) trades at $133.64, up 2.09% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong institutional buying interest. The company reported solid earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 EPS expected at $2.27. Revenue for 2025 reached $65.01B, and net income was $18.25B, though the P/E ratio of 104.34 suggests high valuation expectations. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline.
Outlook: MRK's growth is supported by strategic acquisitions and a dominant oncology franchise, but risks include high valuation multiples and competitive pressures. The consensus price target of $140.36 implies modest upside, with 68% of analysts rating it a Buy. Investors should monitor execution on the Terns integration and Q3 earnings results for catalysts.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Cardinal Health Inc
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 →About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent hepatitis B and pediatric diseases as well as HPV and shingles. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the firm's sales are generated in the United States.
Read more on MRK →
