Cardinal Health Raises 2026 Earnings Guidance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3d ago
0mins
Should l Buy CAH?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Earnings Guidance Increase: Cardinal Health raised its adjusted earnings guidance for full-year 2026 to a range of $10.15 to $10.35 per share, up from the previous forecast of at least $10.00, indicating strong confidence in future performance.
- Analyst Expectations: On average, 14 analysts expect the company to report earnings of $10.02 per share for the year, suggesting that despite the upward revision, the market remains somewhat conservative regarding its profitability outlook.
- Stock Performance: In Thursday's pre-market trading, Cardinal Health's stock rose by $7.05, or 3.41%, reflecting a positive market reaction to its earnings report and guidance increase, which may further boost investor confidence.
- Market Reaction: The increase in earnings guidance and the rise in stock price could enhance investor trust in Cardinal Health, potentially attracting more capital inflows and strengthening the company's market position and competitiveness.
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Analyst Views on CAH
Wall Street analysts forecast CAH stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CAH is 225.18 USD with a low forecast of 209.00 USD and a high forecast of 244.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
11 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 227.180
Low
209.00
Averages
225.18
High
244.00
Current: 227.180
Low
209.00
Averages
225.18
High
244.00
About CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc. is a global healthcare services and products company. The Company is engaged in providing customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices and patients in the home. The Company also provides pharmaceuticals and medical products. Its segments include Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions and Global Medical Products and Distribution (GMPD). The Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment distributes branded and generic pharmaceuticals, specialty pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter healthcare and consumer products in the United States, as well as it owns urology MSO. Its GMPD segment manufactures, sources and distributes Cardinal Health branded medical, surgical and laboratory products, which are sold in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and other markets. The Company connects patients, providers, payers, pharmacists and manufacturers for integrated care coordination.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Tariff Pressure Management: In response to tariff pressures, Cardinal Health has adopted a transparent pricing strategy within its medical products business, where, despite efforts to enhance operational efficiency, the company has raised prices on key products to offset rising costs, reflecting market realities.
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- Positive Financial Performance: The company’s recent adjustments indicate strong financial performance and confidence in future growth.
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- Robust Revenue Growth: The pharmaceutical and specialty solutions segment saw a 19% year-over-year revenue growth, reaching $60.7 billion, reflecting strong market demand and the company's competitive position in the industry.
- Upgraded Full-Year Guidance: The company raised its FY2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance to $10.15 to $10.35, up from the previous range of $9.65 to $9.85, demonstrating confidence in future performance.
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