Cardinal Health's stock rose 4.61% during regular trading, reaching a 20-day high.
The company has raised its fiscal year 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS outlook to at least $10.00, up from the previous range of $9.65 to $9.85, reflecting strong performance across its five operating segments. This upgrade is driven by robust demand in specialty distribution, with projected specialty revenues exceeding $50 billion, representing a 16% CAGR. Additionally, Cardinal Health successfully navigated changes related to the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, ensuring its critical role in pharmaceutical distribution.
This positive outlook is expected to attract further investor interest, especially with the upcoming presentation at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, where the company will showcase its strategic growth initiatives.
Wall Street analysts forecast CAH stock price to rise 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
Wall Street analysts forecast CAH stock price to rise 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.
10 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 210.390
Low
209.00
Averages
225.18
High
244.00
Current: 210.390
Low
209.00
Averages
225.18
High
244.00
TD Cowen
Buy
maintain
$225 -> $233
2026-01-27
New
Reason
TD Cowen
Price Target
$225 -> $233
AI Analysis
2026-01-27
New
maintain
Buy
Reason
TD Cowen raised the firm's price target on Cardinal Health to $233 from $225 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares as part of a Q4 earnings preview. The firm views Cardinal's fiscal Q2 result as "largely de-risked" given the guidance raise in mid January.
Citi
Neutral -> Buy
upgrade
$190 -> $244
2026-01-09
Reason
Citi
Price Target
$190 -> $244
2026-01-09
upgrade
Neutral -> Buy
Reason
As previously reported, Citi upgraded Cardinal Health to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $244, up from $190. While the firm continues to have concerns around the GMPD businesses, it has been impressed with Cardinal's build out of its specialty assets and the resiliency of its core distribution business, the analyst tells investors. The firm sees further upside to its and consensus estimates as Cardinal begins onboarding the distribution business of its recently acquired MSO assets, the analyst tells investors.
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Citi
Neutral -> Buy
upgrade
$190 -> $244
2026-01-09
Reason
Citi
Price Target
$190 -> $244
2026-01-09
upgrade
Neutral -> Buy
Reason
Citi upgraded Cardinal Health to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $244, up from $190.
Barclays
Glen Santangelo
Overweight
initiated
$243
2025-12-08
Reason
Barclays
Glen Santangelo
Price Target
$243
2025-12-08
initiated
Overweight
Reason
Barclays analyst Glen Santangelo initiated coverage of Cardinal Health with an Overweight rating and $243 price target. The firm started the U.S healthcare technology and distribution industry with a neutral view. Barclays is most bullish on the drug distributors and has a more mixed view of the dental and healthcare information technology sub-sectors.
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.
