Cardinal Health's $0.41B Volume Ranked 240th as Analysts Back Value Play Amid Market Divergence

On August 29, 2025, Cardinal Health (CAH) closed at $147.39, down 0.49%, with a trading volume of $0.41 billion, ranking 240th in market activity. The stock’s valuation metrics, including a forward P/E of 16X and a Price/Sales ratio of 0.2X, position it as a value stock within the healthcare sector. Analysts highlight its strong earnings momentum, with estimates revised upward by six analysts in 60 days and a 9.2% average earnings surprise for fiscal 2026.

Despite mixed technical signals—such as conflicting bullish dividend announcements and bearish candlestick patterns—CAH maintains a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and a top-tier Value Style Score of A. Institutional outflows contrast with retail investor optimism, reflecting divergent market sentiment. Analysts from major firms remain bullish, citing robust fundamentals and strategic initiatives like the recent $1.9 billion urology acquisition, which aims to expand its medical product portfolio.

Historical backtesting indicates CAH has delivered strong long-term returns, outperforming the S&P 500 with a 127.08% total return over three years. Recent price volatility, including a post-earnings dip, aligns with mixed technical indicators. Analysts suggest a wait-and-see approach, recommending investors monitor pullbacks after key events like dividend announcements to mitigate short-term uncertainty while capitalizing on its value-driven fundamentals.