CAH vs. MA
CAH (Cardinal Health, Inc.) and MA (Mastercard Incorporated) are both stocks. CAH operates in Medical Distribution (Healthcare), while MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services). Over the past 10 years, CAH returned 14.31%/yr vs 18.64%/yr for MA. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
CAH vs. MA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CAH achieves a 9.47% return, which is significantly higher than MA's -13.89% return. Over the past 10 years, CAH has underperformed MA with an annualized return of 14.31%, while MA has yielded a comparatively higher 18.64% annualized return.
CAH
- 1D
- 1.22%
- 1M
- 20.12%
- YTD
- 9.47%
- 6M
- 13.51%
- 1Y
- 41.03%
- 3Y*
- 38.77%
- 5Y*
- 33.47%
- 10Y*
- 14.31%
MA
- 1D
- 0.71%
- 1M
- -0.13%
- YTD
- -13.89%
- 6M
- -14.05%
- 1Y
- -16.36%
- 3Y*
- 10.32%
- 5Y*
- 6.66%
- 10Y*
- 18.64%
CAH vs. MA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc. | 9.47% | 76.25% | 19.01% | 34.15% | 54.08% | -0.40% | 10.09% | 18.04% | -24.50% | -12.65% |
MA Mastercard Incorporated | -13.89% | 9.04% | 24.17% | 23.40% | -2.66% | 1.16% | 20.19% | 59.16% | 25.31% | 47.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between CAH and MA is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2006 | 0.33 |
Over the past year, the correlation between CAH and MA has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.33, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
CAH:
$52.83B
MA:
$437.55B
CAH:
$6.55
MA:
$17.28
CAH:
34.17
MA:
28.36
CAH:
0.81
MA:
1.65
CAH:
0.21
MA:
13.01
CAH:
$250.55B
MA:
$33.94B
CAH:
$9.23B
MA:
$26.70B
CAH:
$2.79B
MA:
$21.23B
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Return for Risk
CAH vs. MA — Risk / Return Rank
CAH
MA
CAH vs. MA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA). 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 | MA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 0.89 | +0.41 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.02 | -0.79 | +2.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.31 | -1.59 | +6.90 |
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Drawdowns
CAH vs. MA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CAH drawdown since its inception was -61.93%, roughly equal to the maximum MA drawdown of -62.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAH and MA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CAH | MA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.93% | -62.67% | +0.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.42% | -20.91% | +0.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.42% | -20.91% | +0.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.80% | -28.25% | +5.45% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.13% | -41.00% | -5.13% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.39% | -17.82% | +15.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.94% | -9.82% | -6.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.75% | 10.48% | -2.73% |
Volatility
CAH vs. MA - Volatility Comparison
Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) has a higher volatility of 7.19% compared to Mastercard Incorporated (MA) at 6.46%. This indicates that CAH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CAH | MA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.19% | 6.46% | +0.73% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.32% | 17.51% | +2.81% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.30% | 22.34% | +7.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.24% | 24.01% | +1.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.26% | 26.92% | +2.34% |
Dividends
CAH vs. MA - Dividend Comparison
CAH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, more than MA's 0.67% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc. | 0.91% | 0.99% | 1.28% | 1.98% | 2.57% | 3.80% | 3.62% | 3.80% | 4.24% | 3.00% | 2.41% | 1.68% |
MA Mastercard Incorporated | 0.67% | 0.53% | 0.50% | 0.53% | 0.56% | 0.49% | 0.45% | 0.44% | 0.53% | 0.58% | 0.74% | 0.66% |
Financials
CAH vs. MA - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Cardinal Health, Inc. and Mastercard Incorporated. 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. MA - 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%.
MA - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a gross profit of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 58.4%.
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%.
MA - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported an operating income of 4.91B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in an operating margin of 58.4%.
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%.
MA - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Mastercard Incorporated reported a net income of 3.88B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in a net margin of 46.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CAH and MA have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CAH has higher volatility (7.19%) compared to MA (6.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAH dropped -61.93% vs MA's -62.67%.
CAH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs -0.74), 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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