Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH)

Over the past six months, Cardinal Health's stock has experienced notable events and performance. As of October 2, 2025, the share price was $158.50, a 43.82% increase from the previous year. The company has reported strong financial results, with adjusted earnings per share consistently beating analyst estimates. Strategic acquisitions, such as Integrated Oncology Network (ION) and a majority stake in GI Alliance (GIA), are expected to boost the Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment. Cardinal Health also announced plans for new distribution centers to expand its distribution network and warehouse capacity.

Demand for Cardinal Health's products and services exhibits some seasonality, particularly in certain categories. The company has implemented an inventory reserve program to help healthcare providers pre-order respiratory diagnostics more accurately before the onset of seasonal flu, strep, and RSV. Management has noted strong pharmaceutical demand across its brand, specialty, consumer health, and generics businesses. Financial analysis platforms also display mean and median monthly returns for CAH to help identify seasonal patterns in its stock performance.

Cardinal Health, Inc. is a multinational healthcare services and products company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. It operates in the healthcare sector, specializing in pharmaceutical distribution and the manufacturing and distribution of medical products. The company is divided into two segments: Pharmaceutical, which is a large wholesaler of pharmaceuticals in the U.S., and Medical, which focuses on the manufacturing and distribution of medical and surgical products. The Pharmaceutical segment supplies approximately one-fourth of the overall pharmaceutical market, distributing branded, generic, specialty, and over-the-counter medications and operating a network of radiopharmacies. The Medical segment provides medical products to over 75% of U.S. hospitals.

Cardinal Health has a significant global presence, serving more than 100,000 locations worldwide and operating in over 30 countries. It provides products and services to healthcare systems internationally, with a primary focus on the United States market. Its market reach is supported by a network of offices and facilities across the globe.

Cardinal Health's brand reputation has been significantly impacted by its involvement in the opioid crisis, leading to numerous lawsuits and settlements. In August 2024, Cardinal Health reached a $152.5 million settlement with the City of Baltimore and agreed to pay $300 million to various health plans to resolve claims related to the opioid crisis.

Cardinal Health, Inc. is a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol CAH. Institutional investors hold a significant majority of the shares, owning approximately 83% to 89% of the company's stock. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and State Street Corp. Individual investors and insiders collectively own about 17% of the company, with insiders owning under 1%.