CAH vs. CNC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CAH and CNC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Cardinal Health, Inc. | Centene Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 34.87 billion USD | 14.28 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 4, 1983 | December 13, 2001 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CAH and CNC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.00% | -0.85% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -4.23% | -49.92% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 15.22% | -49.57% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 32.25% | -62.83% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.91% | 11.55% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 23.48% | -52.00% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.10M | 13.95M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.32M | 11.97M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.87% | 89.22% |
| Beta | 0.73 | 0.43 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CAH
37.17%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 26.03%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.26%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -3.62%
CAH’s Return on Equity of 37.17% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
CNC
7.53%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 26.03%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.26%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -3.62%
CNC’s Return on Equity of 7.53% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CAH
0.70%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CAH’s Net Profit Margin of 0.70% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
CNC
1.15%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
CNC’s Net Profit Margin of 1.15% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CAH
1.02%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
CAH’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.02% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
CNC
1.08%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
CNC’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.08% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 37.17% | 7.53% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.23% | 2.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.70% | 1.15% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.02% | 1.08% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.67% | 8.93% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CAH
0.94
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
CAH’s Current Ratio of 0.94 falls into the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
CNC
1.10
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
CNC’s Current Ratio of 1.10 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CAH
5.65
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 5.65, CAH operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Health Care Providers & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
CNC
0.64
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
CNC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 is typical for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CAH
10.77
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -4.44
CAH’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 10.77 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
CNC
7.06
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -4.44
CNC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.94 | 1.10 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.44 | 1.10 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 5.65 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 10.77 | 7.06 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CAH
1.37%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.38%
- Q3
- 2.22%
- Median
- 0.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CAH’s Dividend Yield of 1.37% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.38%
- Q3
- 2.22%
- Median
- 0.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CAH
31.65%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CAH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.65% is within the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.37% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 31.65% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CAH
23.18
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 55.89
- Q3
- 30.85
- Median
- 21.17
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 0.00
CAH’s P/E Ratio of 23.18 is within the middle range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
CNC
7.07
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 55.89
- Q3
- 30.85
- Median
- 21.17
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CNC’s P/E Ratio of 7.07 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CAH
0.16
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CAH’s P/S Ratio of 0.16 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
CNC
0.08
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CNC’s P/S Ratio of 0.08 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CAH
14.54
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
At 14.54, CAH’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
CNC
0.99
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
CNC’s P/B Ratio of 0.99 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 23.18 | 7.07 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.16 | 0.08 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.54 | 0.99 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 8.85 | 4.92 |