MA vs. CAH
MA (Mastercard Incorporated) and CAH (Cardinal Health, Inc.) are both stocks. MA operates in Credit Services (Financial Services), while CAH operates in Medical Distribution (Healthcare). Over the past 10 years, MA returned 18.64%/yr vs 14.31%/yr for CAH. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MA vs. CAH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MA achieves a -13.89% return, which is significantly lower than CAH's 9.47% return. Over the past 10 years, MA has outperformed CAH with an annualized return of 18.64%, while CAH has yielded a comparatively lower 14.31% annualized return.
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
- 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 vs. CAH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MA Mastercard Incorporated | -13.89% | 9.04% | 24.17% | 23.40% | -2.66% | 1.16% | 20.19% | 59.16% | 25.31% | 47.69% |
CAH Cardinal Health, Inc. | 9.47% | 76.25% | 19.01% | 34.15% | 54.08% | -0.40% | 10.09% | 18.04% | -24.50% | -12.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between MA and CAH 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 MA and CAH has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.33, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
MA:
$437.55B
CAH:
$52.83B
MA:
$17.28
CAH:
$6.55
MA:
28.36
CAH:
34.17
MA:
1.65
CAH:
0.81
MA:
13.01
CAH:
0.21
MA:
$33.94B
CAH:
$250.55B
MA:
$26.70B
CAH:
$9.23B
MA:
$21.23B
CAH:
$2.79B
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Return for Risk
MA vs. CAH — Risk / Return Rank
MA
CAH
MA vs. CAH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mastercard Incorporated (MA) and Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH). 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.
| MA | CAH | 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 | 0.89 | 1.30 | -0.41 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.79 | 2.02 | -2.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.59 | 5.31 | -6.90 |
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Drawdowns
MA vs. CAH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MA drawdown since its inception was -62.67%, roughly equal to the maximum CAH drawdown of -61.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MA and CAH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MA | CAH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.67% | -61.93% | -0.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.91% | -20.42% | -0.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.91% | -20.42% | -0.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.25% | -22.80% | -5.45% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.00% | -46.13% | +5.13% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.82% | -2.39% | -15.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.82% | -15.94% | +6.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.48% | 7.75% | +2.73% |
Volatility
MA vs. CAH - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Mastercard Incorporated (MA) is 6.46%, while Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) has a volatility of 7.19%. This indicates that MA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CAH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MA | CAH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.46% | 7.19% | -0.73% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.51% | 20.32% | -2.81% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.34% | 30.30% | -7.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.01% | 25.24% | -1.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.92% | 29.26% | -2.34% |
Dividends
MA vs. CAH - Dividend Comparison
MA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, less than CAH's 0.91% 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
MA vs. CAH - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Mastercard Incorporated and Cardinal Health, 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
MA vs. CAH - Profitability Comparison
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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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%.
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%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MA and CAH 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, MA dropped -62.67% vs CAH's -61.93%.
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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