Cardinal Health Inc vs Union Pacific Corporation — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $234.16 (market cap $55.88B), while Union Pacific Corporation trades at $292.17 (market cap $173.99B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is far larger — about 3.1× Cardinal Health Inc's market cap, and Union Pacific Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.94%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $55.88B | $173.99B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $240.26 | $307.32 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $214.91 |
Enterprise Value | $59.91B | $203.04B |
Dividend Yield | 0.86% | 1.94% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Cardinal Health (CAH) trades at $235.3, down 0.79% on the day, but remains near its 52-week high. The stock exhibits a bullish technical signal with consistent earnings beats in recent quarters, including Q2 2026 EPS of $2.91 versus $2.42 expected. Revenue for fiscal 2025 was $222.58 billion, with net income reaching $1.56 billion. Analyst consensus is strongly positive, with 18 buys and a $266.43 price target, reflecting confidence in the company's pharmaceutical and specialty business growth.
The outlook for CAH is favorable, driven by robust earnings performance and optimistic fiscal 2027 guidance. Key opportunities include sustained demand for specialty drugs and operational efficiency gains. Risks involve high debt levels, with a debt-to-asset ratio of 16.09 in 2025, and competitive pressures in the healthcare distribution sector. Investors should weigh strong analyst support against balance sheet leverage and market volatility.
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $294.24, up 0.68% with strong fundamentals including 28.85% net margins and 39.7% ROE. The stock shows bullish momentum with Q2 2026 EPS beating estimates by 4.6% and management raising full-year guidance. Technical indicators are neutral overall, with the current price near resistance at $294. Recent news highlights institutional accumulation and a 3% dividend increase announced July 29, 2026.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus target of $334.33 (13.6% upside) and 58.7% buy ratings. Key opportunities include service-led growth driving margin expansion, while risks involve high fuel costs and regulatory scrutiny of the Norfolk Southern merger. The company's strong cash flow generation supports continued dividend growth and capital returns.
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 →Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two thirds of the U.S., UP generated roughly $22 billion of revenue in 2021 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, and automotive goods. UP owns about one fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and derives about 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.
Read more on UNP →