Cardinal Health stock gains 1.59 percent after CVS pact
Published on 10/05/2026 at 18:24 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Cardinal Health stock (ISIN US14149Y1082) was trading at USD 231.94 on the NYSE at 12:23 p.m. ET on October 5, 2026, up 1.59 percent from the prior close. The move follows a binding CVS Health agreement that extends Cardinal Health's pharmaceutical distribution relationship through June 30, 2032, according to PR Newswire on October 1, 2026.
CVS deal protects a major relationship
The letter of intent keeps the current distribution scope in place and removes a key customer-renewal question from Cardinal Health's near-term operating picture. The company also reaffirmed fiscal 2027 non-GAAP EPS growth of 13% to 15%, equal to USD 12.40-12.60 per share, in the October 1 release.
The guidance is based on adjusted fiscal 2026 results excluding the benefit from an IEEPA tariff refund. Cardinal Health retained its long-term non-GAAP EPS growth range of 12% to 14%, giving the contract announcement a direct connection to both current and longer-term earnings expectations.
Fiscal 2026 delivered double-digit growth
Cardinal Health reported fiscal 2026 revenue of USD 254.2 billion, up 14 percent from fiscal 2025, while GAAP diluted EPS reached USD 7.23, according to Yahoo Finance in its report on the August 11, 2026 results. The same report said fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS rose 37 percent to USD 11.26, a sharper earnings increase than the revenue gain.
That mix matters because the new guidance is measured against adjusted fiscal 2026 earnings rather than the reported GAAP figure. Cardinal Health's distribution scale therefore remains the operating foundation, while adjusted earnings growth is the metric tied most directly to the company's outlook.
Consensus target stays above the quote
MarketBeat reported on October 1, 2026, that 16 analysts rated Cardinal Health Buy and three rated it Hold, producing a Moderate Buy consensus and an average price target of USD 266.56. That target lies 14.9 percent above the USD 231.94 NYSE quote.
The stock's current price is USD 26.36 below its 52-week high of USD 258.30 and USD 80.07 above its 52-week low of USD 151.87. Market capitalization stood at USD 54.3 billion and trading volume was 421,541 shares on October 5, 2026.
November results set the next checkpoint
Cardinal Health plans to release first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on November 5, 2026, before trading begins on the New York Stock Exchange, with a webcast scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET, according to Cardinal Health on October 1, 2026. The report will test whether the company can carry the fiscal 2026 earnings pace into the first quarter under the renewed CVS framework.
Stock remains below the yearly high
Cardinal Health stock was last at USD 231.94 on the NYSE on October 5, 2026, with a USD 54.3 billion market capitalization and a 52-week range of USD 151.87 to USD 258.30.
Cardinal Health stock facts
- Company: Cardinal Health, Inc.
- ISIN: US14149Y1082
- Ticker: CAH
- Trading venue: NYSE
- Price as of October 5, 2026, 12:23 p.m. ET: USD 231.94
- Market capitalization: USD 54.3 billion as of October 5, 2026
- 52-week range: USD 151.87-258.30 as of October 5, 2026
- Sector / Industry: Healthcare / Medical Distribution
Upcoming dates for Cardinal Health stock
- November 5, 2026: First-quarter fiscal 2027 results and earnings webcast
