Cardinal Health Inc vs Stryker Corporation — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $228.68 (market cap $53.89B), while Stryker Corporation trades at $317.25 (market cap $119.25B). The key difference: Stryker Corporation is far larger — about 2.2× Cardinal Health Inc's market cap, and Stryker Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.13%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | SYK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $53.89B | $119.25B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $239.71 | $403.53 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $282.58 |
Enterprise Value | $58.87B | $131.01B |
Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 1.13% |
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.
Stryker (SYK) trades at $331.45, up 0.51% today, with strong analyst support (74% buy ratings) and a consensus price target of $388.44. The stock shows bullish technical signals despite a recent Q1 2026 earnings miss attributed to a temporary cyber disruption. Fundamentals remain solid with 2025 revenue of $25.12B, net income margin of 13.21%, and robust cash flow generation of $5.04B from operations.
Outlook remains positive with maintained full-year guidance and healthy end-market demand. Investment opportunity lies in the valuation discount to historical averages and innovation-driven growth. Key risks include cybersecurity vulnerabilities and competitive pressures in the medtech sector. The stock offers potential upside of 17% to consensus target with dividend stability as a Dividend Aristocrat.
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 →Stryker is a global leader in medical technology, specializing in Orthopaedics, MedSurg, and Neurotechnology. It is renowned for its highly decentralized business model, which empowers 22 specialized business units to drive innovation and category leadership. With its market-leading Mako SmartRobotics™ platform and a relentless M&A strategy, Stryker provides a comprehensive ecosystem of connected surgical tools, implants, and digital solutions that improve both clinical and financial outcomes for hospitals worldwide.
Read more on SYK →