Cardinal Health Inc vs Yum China Holdings Inc — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $229 (market cap $53.89B), while Yum China Holdings Inc trades at $43.2 (market cap $14.89B). The key difference: Cardinal Health Inc is far larger — about 3.6× Yum China Holdings Inc's market cap, and Yum China Holdings Inc pays the higher dividend (2.68%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | YUMC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $53.89B | $14.89B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $239.71 | $57.95 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $40.18 |
Enterprise Value | $58.87B | $15.78B |
Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 2.68% |
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.
YUMC trades at $43.9, up 2.05% today, with strong analyst consensus (14 Buy, 5 Hold, 0 Sell). The stock shows bullish technical signals from moving averages, though RSI levels indicate potential overbought conditions. Recent earnings beats and a P/E of 16.82 suggest reasonable valuation. Key developments include the acquisition of Pizza Hut in mainland China and a $1.5 billion capital return plan for 2026, enhancing shareholder value.
The outlook remains positive given consistent revenue growth, expanding profitability, and strategic acquisitions. Risks include execution challenges in integrating Pizza Hut and macroeconomic pressures in China. With robust cash flows and a clear growth trajectory, YUMC presents a compelling opportunity for long-term investors, though near-term volatility may persist.
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 →With almost 10,600 units and USD 9.5 billion in systemwide sales in 2020, Yum China is the largest restaurant chain in China. It generates revenue through its own restaurants and franchise fees. Key concepts include KFC (7,166 units) and Pizza Hut (2,355), but the company's portfolio also includes other brands such as Little Sheep, East Dawning, Taco Bell, Huang Ji Huang, COFFii & Joy, and Lavazza (collectively representing about 985 units). Yum China is a trademark licensee of Yum Brands, paying 3% of total systemwide sales to the company it separated from in October 2016.
Read more on YUMC →