Cardinal Health Inc vs Philip Morris International Inc. — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $228.8 (market cap $53.89B), while Philip Morris International Inc. trades at $176.99 (market cap $274.23B). The key difference: Philip Morris International Inc. is far larger — about 5.1× Cardinal Health Inc's market cap, and Philip Morris International Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.34%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | PM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $53.89B | $274.23B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $239.71 | $191.86 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $144.33 |
Enterprise Value | $58.87B | $320.73B |
Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 3.34% |
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.
Philip Morris International (PM) trades at $180.19, down 0.79% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $194.00. The company reported strong Q1 2026 EPS of $1.96, beating expectations, and maintains robust profitability with a 26.74% net income margin. Recent news includes a $500 million impairment charge in Q2 2026 and CFO succession plans, while cash flow trends show stable operations.
The stock presents a favorable risk-reward profile with upside to analyst targets, driven by earnings beats and brand strength, though risks include currency volatility, regulatory pressures, and consumer spending constraints highlighted in recent Reuters and WSJ reports. Long-term investors may find value in its dividend yield and market position.
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 →Philip Morris International is an international tobacco company with a product portfolio primarily consisting of cigarettes and reduced-risk products, including heat-not-burn, vapor and oral nicotine products, which are sold in markets outside the United States. The company diversified away from nicotine products with the acquisition of Vectura, a provider of innovative inhaled drug delivery solutions, in 2021.
Read more on PM →