Cardinal Health: Analysts Bullish on Ohio-Based Healthcare Services and Products Company

Cardinal Health, a leading healthcare services and products company, has seen its shares rise 53.9% over the past 52 weeks and are up 29.7% in 2025, outpacing the S&P 500 Index's gains. Analysts expect earnings to grow 8.6% YoY to $8.18 per share and have a solid earnings surprise history. The consensus rating is a "Strong Buy" with 11 "Strong Buy" and three "Hold" ratings. The mean price target of $180.33 suggests a 16.3% premium to current price levels.

Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH), a leading Ohio-based healthcare services and products company, has seen its shares soar 53.9% over the past 52 weeks and are up 29.7% in 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 21.9% gains [1][2]. The company's impressive rally is driven by a combination of strong financial performance, analyst optimism, and strategic initiatives such as the expansion of its Equity Rx program.

On July 30, Cardinal Health's shares rose marginally after the company announced the expansion of its Equity Rx program, aimed at supporting individuals who cannot afford prescription medications. Initially launched as a pilot in Ohio in 2023, the program has now received a total investment of $5 million from the Cardinal Health Foundation [1][2].

Analysts expect Cardinal Health's earnings to grow 8.6% year-over-year to $8.18 per share for the year that ended in June 2025. The company has a solid history of earnings surprises, surpassing the Street's bottom-line expectations in each of the past four quarters [1][2]. Among the 14 analysts covering the CAH stock, the consensus rating is a "Strong Buy," with 11 "Strong Buy" and three "Hold" ratings [1][2]. This positive sentiment is reflected in the mean price target of $180.33, suggesting a 16.3% premium to current price levels, and the Street-high target of $197, indicating a 28.4% upside potential [1][2].

On July 16, Morgan Stanley raised its price target for Cardinal Health from $181 to $190 while reiterating its "Overweight" rating, signaling continued confidence in the company's growth prospects [1][2]. The increased institutional ownership and analyst upgrades further underscore the bullish sentiment surrounding the stock.

Cardinal Health's latest earnings report is expected to be released soon, with analysts forecasting quarterly earnings of $2.03 per share, representing a year-over-year increase of 10.3% [3]. The company's strong performance in pharmaceutical and specialty solutions, other revenue streams, and medical products and distribution is anticipated to drive this growth [3].

In summary, Cardinal Health's impressive stock performance and positive analyst sentiment make it an attractive investment opportunity for investors and financial professionals. The company's strategic initiatives, such as the expansion of the Equity Rx program, and its solid earnings history further reinforce its strong market positioning.

References:
[1] https://www.barchart.com/story/news/33990464/do-wall-street-analysts-like-cardinal-health-stock
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/analyst-projections-key-metrics-reveal-131504010.html
[3] https://www.archercoopgrain.com/news/story/33990465/do-wall-street-analysts-like-cardinal-health-stock