Cardinal Health Inc (CAH)vsPalo Alto Networks Inc (PANW)
CAH
Cardinal Health Inc
$183.65
-0.88%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $43.39B
PANW
Palo Alto Networks Inc
$207.88
+5.78%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $159.39B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Cardinal Health Inc generates 2434% more annual revenue ($250.74B vs $9.89B). PANW leads profitability with a 13.0% profit margin vs 0.6%. CAH appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.25. PANW earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).
CAH
Hold47
out of 100
Grade: D+
PANW
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+73.9%
Fair Value
$859.62
Current Price
$183.65
$675.97 discount
Margin of Safety
+56.7%
Fair Value
$454.04
Current Price
$207.88
$246.16 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Generating 1.7B in free cash flow
Earnings expanding 60.5% YoY
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Large-cap with strong market position
Areas to Watch
Moderate valuation
ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency
0.6% margin — thin
Operating margin of 1.4%
Trading at 15.6x book value
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
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 1.25 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : PANW
The strongest argument for PANW centers on EPS Growth, Debt/Equity, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 14.9% demonstrates continued momentum.
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 : PANW
The primary concerns for PANW are Price/Book, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio. A P/E of 109.2x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
PANW carries more volatility with a beta of 0.77 — expect wider price swings.
PANW is growing revenue faster at 14.9% — sustainability is the question.
CAH generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
PANW scores higher overall (56/100 vs 47/100) and 14.9% revenue growth. 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 →Palo Alto Networks Inc
TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. provides cybersecurity platform solutions globally. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
Compare with Other MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?