CAH vs. AWK

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

CAH (Cardinal Health, Inc.) and AWK (American Water Works Company, Inc.) are both stocks. CAH operates in Medical Distribution (Healthcare), while AWK operates in Utilities - Regulated Water (Utilities). Over the past 10 years, CAH returned 13.19%/yr vs 6.76%/yr for AWK. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CAH vs. AWK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) and American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CAH achieves a -0.01% return, which is significantly higher than AWK's -4.83% return. Over the past 10 years, CAH has outperformed AWK with an annualized return of 13.19%, while AWK has yielded a comparatively lower 6.76% annualized return.

CAH

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: 11.34%
• YTD: -0.01%
• 6M: 3.32%
• 1Y: 33.66%
• 3Y*: 35.29%
• 5Y*: 31.41%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

AWK

• 1D: -1.59%
• 1M: -1.35%
• YTD: -4.83%
• 6M: -3.31%
• 1Y: -10.24%
• 3Y*: -3.56%
• 5Y*: -2.91%
• 10Y*: 6.76%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CAH vs. AWK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc.	-0.01%	76.25%	19.01%	34.15%	54.08%	-0.40%	10.09%	18.04%	-24.50%	-12.65%
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	-4.83%	7.40%	-3.53%	-11.68%	-17.89%	24.83%	26.88%	37.79%	1.32%	29.01%

Correlation

The correlation between CAH and AWK is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 24, 2008	0.22

Fundamentals

Market Cap CAH : $48.26B AWK : $23.89B
EPS CAH : $6.55 AWK : $5.65
PE Ratio CAH : 31.22 AWK : 21.67
PS Ratio CAH : 0.19 AWK : 4.59
Total Revenue (TTM) CAH : $250.55B AWK : $5.21B
Gross Profit (TTM) CAH : $9.23B AWK : $2.27B
EBITDA (TTM) CAH : $2.79B AWK : $2.48B

Return for Risk

CAH vs. AWK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CAH

CAH Risk / Return Rank: 74
CAH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
CAH Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
CAH Omega Ratio Rank: 75
CAH Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
CAH Martin Ratio Rank: 74

AWK

AWK Risk / Return Rank: 18
AWK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
AWK Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
AWK Omega Ratio Rank: 21
AWK Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
AWK Martin Ratio Rank: 14

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CAH vs. AWK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) and American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK). 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.

	CAH	AWK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	-0.48	+1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	-0.56	+2.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	0.94	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.66	-0.67	+2.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.37	-1.25	+5.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CAH vs. AWK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAH Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is higher than the AWK Sharpe Ratio of -0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAH and AWK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CAH	AWK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.13	-0.48	+1.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.25	-0.13	+1.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.29	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.56	0.00

Drawdowns

CAH vs. AWK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAH drawdown since its inception was -61.93%, which is greater than AWK's maximum drawdown of -37.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAH and AWK.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAH	AWK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.93%	-37.10%	-24.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.42%	-15.45%	-4.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.42%	-22.33%	+1.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.80%	-37.10%	+14.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.13%	-37.10%	-9.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.83%	-28.49%	+17.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.94%	-9.50%	-6.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.72%	8.23%	-0.51%

Volatility

CAH vs. AWK - Volatility Comparison

Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) has a higher volatility of 6.59% compared to American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) at 5.75%. This indicates that CAH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AWK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAH	AWK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.59%	5.75%	+0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.73%	15.38%	+4.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.99%	21.40%	+8.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.19%	22.90%	+2.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.23%	23.70%	+5.53%

Dividends

CAH vs. AWK - Dividend Comparison

CAH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than AWK's 2.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	2.76%	2.49%	2.41%	2.10%	1.68%	1.25%	1.40%	1.59%	1.96%	1.77%	2.02%	2.23%
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc.	1.00%	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. AWK - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Cardinal Health, Inc. and American Water Works Company, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

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%.

AWK - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported a gross profit of 714.00M and revenue of 1.21B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 59.2%.

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%.

AWK - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported an operating income of 391.00M and revenue of 1.21B, resulting in an operating margin of 32.4%.

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%.

AWK - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, American Water Works Company, Inc. reported a net income of 196.00M and revenue of 1.21B, resulting in a net margin of 16.2%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAH and AWK in my portfolio?

CAH and AWK have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CAH or AWK?

CAH has higher volatility (6.59%) compared to AWK (5.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAH dropped -61.93% vs AWK's -37.10%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs -0.48), 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.