CAH vs. ADP
CAH (Cardinal Health, Inc.) and ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.) are both stocks. CAH operates in Medical Distribution (Healthcare), while ADP operates in Staffing & Employment Services (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, CAH returned 14.13%/yr vs 12.33%/yr for ADP. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
CAH vs. ADP - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CAH achieves a 8.15% return, which is significantly higher than ADP's -11.51% return. Over the past 10 years, CAH has outperformed ADP with an annualized return of 14.13%, while ADP has yielded a comparatively lower 12.33% annualized return.
CAH
- 1D
- 2.25%
- 1M
- 21.14%
- YTD
- 8.15%
- 6M
- 12.07%
- 1Y
- 45.67%
- 3Y*
- 38.65%
- 5Y*
- 33.15%
- 10Y*
- 14.13%
ADP
- 1D
- -2.31%
- 1M
- 5.59%
- YTD
- -11.51%
- 6M
- -13.44%
- 1Y
- -25.90%
- 3Y*
- 3.26%
- 5Y*
- 4.61%
- 10Y*
- 12.33%
CAH vs. ADP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc. | 8.15% | 76.25% | 19.01% | 34.15% | 54.08% | -0.40% | 10.09% | 18.04% | -24.50% | -12.65% |
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | -11.51% | -10.18% | 28.41% | -0.25% | -1.29% | 42.60% | 5.86% | 32.71% | 14.25% | 16.54% |
Correlation
The correlation between CAH and ADP is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.04 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 1987 | 0.30 |
Over the past year, the correlation between CAH and ADP has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.29, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
CAH:
$52.19B
ADP:
$90.83B
CAH:
$6.55
ADP:
$10.72
CAH:
33.76
ADP:
21.06
CAH:
0.80
ADP:
1.59
CAH:
0.21
ADP:
4.24
CAH:
$250.55B
ADP:
$21.60B
CAH:
$9.23B
ADP:
$10.26B
CAH:
$2.79B
ADP:
$6.51B
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Return for Risk
CAH vs. ADP — Risk / Return Rank
CAH
ADP
CAH vs. ADP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| CAH | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.59 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.95 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 0.82 | +0.51 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.25 | -0.68 | +2.93 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.91 | -1.28 | +7.19 |
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Drawdowns
CAH vs. ADP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CAH drawdown since its inception was -61.93%, roughly equal to the maximum ADP drawdown of -59.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAH and ADP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CAH | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.93% | -59.51% | -2.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.42% | -38.16% | +17.74% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.42% | -40.78% | +20.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.80% | -40.78% | +17.98% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.13% | -40.78% | -5.35% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.56% | -29.18% | +25.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.94% | -12.59% | -3.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.75% | 20.34% | -12.59% |
Volatility
CAH vs. ADP - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) is 7.28%, while Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) has a volatility of 9.59%. This indicates that CAH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ADP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CAH | ADP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.28% | 9.59% | -2.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.29% | 20.52% | -0.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.28% | 24.27% | +6.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.25% | 22.07% | +3.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.26% | 24.49% | +4.77% |
Dividends
CAH vs. ADP - Dividend Comparison
CAH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than ADP's 2.87% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADP Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.87% | 2.46% | 1.96% | 2.21% | 1.83% | 1.55% | 2.08% | 1.92% | 2.14% | 2.00% | 2.10% | 2.36% |
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc. | 0.92% | 0.99% | 1.28% | 1.98% | 2.57% | 3.80% | 3.62% | 3.80% | 4.24% | 3.00% | 2.41% | 1.68% |
Financials
CAH vs. ADP - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Cardinal Health, Inc. and Automatic Data Processing, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
CAH vs. ADP - Profitability Comparison
CAH - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cardinal Health, Inc. reported a gross profit of 2.50B and revenue of 60.94B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 4.1%.
ADP - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported a gross profit of 2.87B and revenue of 5.94B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 48.3%.
CAH - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cardinal Health, Inc. reported an operating income of 509.00M and revenue of 60.94B, resulting in an operating margin of 0.8%.
ADP - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported an operating income of 1.79B and revenue of 5.94B, resulting in an operating margin of 30.1%.
CAH - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cardinal Health, Inc. reported a net income of 399.00M and revenue of 60.94B, resulting in a net margin of 0.7%.
ADP - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. reported a net income of 1.36B and revenue of 5.94B, resulting in a net margin of 22.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CAH and ADP have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ADP has higher volatility (9.59%) compared to CAH (7.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAH dropped -61.93% vs ADP's -59.51%.
CAH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs -1.07), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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