Cardinal Health Inc (CAH)vsNovartis AG ADR (NVS)
CAH
Cardinal Health Inc
$182.50
-0.63%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $43.01B
NVS
Novartis AG ADR
$145.23
-0.55%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $277.42B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Cardinal Health Inc generates 343% more annual revenue ($250.74B vs $56.58B). NVS leads profitability with a 23.9% profit margin vs 0.6%. CAH appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.14. NVS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 51/100 (C-).
CAH
Hold47
out of 100
Grade: D+
NVS
Buy51
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+73.9%
Fair Value
$859.62
Current Price
$182.50
$677.12 discount
Margin of Safety
-51.8%
Fair Value
$110.12
Current Price
$145.23
$35.11 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Generating 1.7B in free cash flow
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Every $100 of equity generates 35 in profit
Strong operational efficiency at 30.5%
Keeps 24 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Generating 2.9B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Moderate valuation
ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency
0.6% margin — thin
Operating margin of 1.4%
Grey zone — moderate risk
Expensive relative to growth rate
Revenue declined 0.7%
Earnings declined 9.3%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : CAH
The strongest argument for CAH centers on Altman Z-Score, Free Cash Flow. Revenue growth of 11.0% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 1.14 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : NVS
The strongest argument for NVS centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 23.9% and operating margin at 30.5%.
Bear Case : CAH
The primary concerns for CAH are P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Thin 0.6% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : NVS
The primary concerns for NVS are Altman Z-Score, PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CAH profiles as a value stock while NVS is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.
CAH carries more volatility with a beta of 0.54 — expect wider price swings.
CAH is growing revenue faster at 11.0% — sustainability is the question.
NVS generates stronger free cash flow (2.9B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
NVS scores higher overall (51/100 vs 47/100), backed by strong 23.9% margins. CAH offers better value entry with a 73.9% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Cardinal Health Inc
HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION · USA
Cardinal Health, Inc. is an American multinational health care services company.
Visit Website →Novartis AG ADR
HEALTHCARE · DRUG MANUFACTURERS - GENERAL · USA
Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures and markets medical devices worldwide. The company is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland.
Visit Website →Compare with Other MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?