Cardinal Health Inc vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $228.29 (market cap $53.89B), while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated trades at $470.9 (market cap $120.89B). The key difference: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is far larger — about 2.2× Cardinal Health Inc's market cap, and Cardinal Health Inc pays a 0.89% dividend while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | VRTX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $53.89B | $120.89B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $239.71 | $529.59 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $366.54 |
Enterprise Value | $58.87B | $115.63B |
Dividend Yield | 0.89% | — |
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.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) trades at $480.25, down 1.06% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The stock shows robust fundamentals with a 35.51% net income margin and consistent earnings beats, while the recent $10 billion acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals aims to expand its endocrinology portfolio with up to $5 billion in peak sales potential.
The outlook remains positive given Wall Street's consensus buy rating and $538 price target, though integration risks from the Crinetics deal and past earnings volatility warrant caution. Revenue growth and margin strength position VRTX for upside, but investors should weigh acquisition execution against competitive and regulatory pressures in the biotech sector.
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 →Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that discovers and develops small-molecule drugs for the treatment of serious diseases. Its key drugs are Kalydeco, Orkambi, Symdeko, and Trikafta/Kaftrio for cystic fibrosis, where Vertex therapies remain the standard of care globally. In addition to its focus on cystic fibrosis, Vertex is diversifying its pipeline through gene-editing therapies such as CTX001 for beta-thalassemia and sickle-cell disease, small-molecule inhibitors targeting acute and chronic pain using non-opioid treatments, and small-molecule inhibitors of APOL1-mediated kidney diseases. Vertex is also investigating cell therapies to deliver a potential functional cure for type 1 diabetes.
Read more on VRTX →