Cardinal Health Inc vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $234.16 (market cap $55.88B), while Wendys Co trades at $8.63 (market cap $1.44B). The key difference: Cardinal Health Inc is far larger — about 38.8× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays the higher dividend (3.71%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $55.88B | $1.44B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $240.26 | $10.68 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $59.91B | $5.17B |
Dividend Yield | 0.86% | 3.71% |
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.
Wendy's (WEN) stock is trading at $8.57, up 17.4% in 24 hours, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.18, beating expectations, but faces challenges including a 50% dividend cut, withdrawn 2026 outlook, and declining U.S. same-store sales as Burger King overtakes it as the second-largest U.S. burger chain. Financial metrics show a P/E of 11.44 and ROE of 108.04%, but net income margin has fallen to 5.72% for 2026.
The outlook is cautious; while valuation appears reasonable and recent earnings beats are positive, significant operational headwinds, high debt, and intense competition pose risks. Analyst sentiment is mixed with a majority Hold rating, reflecting uncertainty around the new CEO's turnaround plan. Investment opportunity hinges on successful execution of strategic initiatives to restore growth and profitability.
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 →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →