
Cardinal Health, Inc.
CAH39 yrs growthHealthcare · Medical Distribution · Stock · quarterly payer
Forward Yield
0.84%
Annual Dividend
$2.06
Payout Ratio
28%
5-Yr Growth
1.0%
Ex-Date
Oct 1, 2026
Frequency
Quarterly
Key facts about CAH's dividend
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) has a forward dividend yield of 0.84%, based on an annual dividend of $2.06 per share and a share price of $251.09.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH's dividend safety grade from SmarterDividends is A (99 out of 100), which rates the dividend as very safe.
- By SmarterDividends' count, Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) has raised its dividend for 39 consecutive years as of Oct 30, 2026, which makes it a Dividend Aristocrat by the 25-year definition.
- CAH has never cut its regular dividend in the payment history SmarterDividends has on record.
- CAH's most recent ex-dividend date was Oct 1, 2026, for a dividend of $0.52 per share.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH pays out 28% of its trailing 12-month earnings as dividends (its payout ratio).
- CAH's dividend has grown at an average rate of 1.0% a year over the past five years.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH's 0.84% yield is 64% below its five-year average yield of 2.34%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends' blended fair-value estimate for CAH is $318.57 per share, 27% above the $251.09 share price, so CAH screens as undervalued.
- Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) pays its dividend quarterly, 4 times a year.
- Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) has raised its regular dividend 39 times and cut it 3 times across the 161 payments on record since 1986. Its most recent change was a 1.0% increase to $0.516 per share, going ex-dividend on Jul 1, 2026. The last cut went ex-dividend on Sep 29, 1999.
- Cardinal Health (CAH) has declared its first higher dividend of the year in May in 5 of the last 5 years; its most recent raise, 1.0%, was declared on May 5, 2026.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "CAH Dividend: Yield, Safety Grade & Next Ex-Date," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/CAH
Summary
As of Oct 30, 2026, Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) yields 0.84% ($2.06 a year per share), has a dividend safety grade of A (99/100) and has 39 consecutive years of dividend increases on record.
Is CAH a good dividend stock?
YesCardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 0.84% ($2.06/yr), with 39 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.
Advantages
- Dividend Aristocrat — 39 consecutive years of growth
- Never cut its dividend on record
- Comfortable payout ratio (28%)
- 440% total price return over 5 years
- Top-tier dividend safety score
Risks
- Single-stock concentration risk — diversify
Key Data
- Dividend Yield
- 0.84%
- Payout Ratio
- 28%
- Annual Dividend
- $2.06
- 5-Yr Avg Growth
- 1.0%
- Ex-Dividend Date
- Oct 1, 2026
- Years of Growth
- 39
- Frequency
- quarterly
- Beta
- 0.50
- Market Cap
- $58.1B
- P/E Ratio
- 34.7
- 5-Yr Total Return
- 440%
- 52-Week Range
- $161.36 – $259.21
- Dividend Safety
- A · 99/100
- Ever Cut?
- No
CAH dividend raises and cuts
Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) has raised its regular dividend 39 times and cut it 3 times across the 161 payments on record since 1986. Its most recent change was a 1.0% increase to $0.516 per share, going ex-dividend on Jul 1, 2026. The last cut went ex-dividend on Sep 29, 1999.
| Ex-date | Change | Old → new | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2026 | Raise | $0.511 → $0.516 | +1.0% |
| Jul 1, 2025 | Raise | $0.506 → $0.511 | +1.0% |
| Jul 1, 2024 | Raise | $0.501 → $0.506 | +1.0% |
| Jun 30, 2023 | Raise | $0.496 → $0.501 | +1.0% |
| Jun 30, 2022 | Raise | $0.491 → $0.496 | +1.0% |
| Jun 30, 2021 | Raise | $0.486 → $0.491 | +1.0% |
| Jun 30, 2020 | Raise | $0.481 → $0.486 | +1.0% |
| Jun 28, 2019 | Raise | $0.476 → $0.481 | +1.1% |
| Jun 29, 2018 | Raise | $0.462 → $0.476 | +3.0% |
| Jun 29, 2017 | Raise | $0.449 → $0.462 | +2.9% |
| Jun 29, 2016 | Raise | $0.387 → $0.449 | +16.0% |
| Jun 29, 2015 | Raise | $0.343 → $0.387 | +12.8% |
Show all 42 changes since 1987
| Ex-date | Change | Old → new | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 27, 2014 | Raise | $0.303 → $0.343 | +13.2% |
| Sep 27, 2013 | Raise | $0.302 → $0.303 | +0.3% |
| Jun 27, 2013 | Raise | $0.275 → $0.302 | +9.8% |
| Dec 28, 2012 | Raise | $0.238 → $0.275 | +15.5% |
| Jun 27, 2012 | Raise | $0.215 → $0.238 | +10.7% |
| Jun 29, 2011 | Raise | $0.195 → $0.215 | +10.3% |
| Jun 29, 2010 | Raise | $0.175 → $0.195 | +11.4% |
| Jun 29, 2009 | Raise | $0.140 → $0.175 | +25.0% |
| Jun 27, 2008 | Raise | $0.120 → $0.140 | +16.7% |
| Jun 27, 2007 | Raise | $0.0900 → $0.120 | +33.3% |
| Jun 28, 2006 | Raise | $0.0600 → $0.0900 | +50.0% |
| Jun 29, 2005 | Raise | $0.0300 → $0.0600 | +100.0% |
| Jun 27, 2003 | Raise | $0.0250 → $0.0300 | +20.0% |
| Jun 27, 2001 | Raise | $0.0200 → $0.0250 | +25.0% |
| Jun 28, 2000 | Raise | $0.0167 → $0.0200 | +20.0% |
| Sep 29, 1999 | Cut | $0.0173 → $0.0167 | −3.8% |
| Jun 29, 1999 | Raise | $0.0167 → $0.0173 | +4.0% |
| Dec 29, 1998 | Cut | $0.0169 → $0.0167 | −1.3% |
| Sep 29, 1998 | Raise | $0.0133 → $0.0169 | +26.7% |
| Mar 30, 1998 | Raise | $0.0111 → $0.0133 | +20.0% |
| Dec 27, 1996 | Raise | $0.0089 → $0.0111 | +25.0% |
| Sep 26, 1994 | Cut | $0.0090 → $0.0089 | −1.3% |
| Jun 27, 1994 | Raise | $0.0071 → $0.0090 | +26.7% |
| Dec 27, 1993 | Raise | $0.0059 → $0.0071 | +20.0% |
| Dec 24, 1992 | Raise | $0.0047 → $0.0059 | +25.0% |
| Dec 24, 1991 | Raise | $0.0038 → $0.0047 | +25.0% |
| Dec 24, 1990 | Raise | $0.0030 → $0.0038 | +25.0% |
| Dec 22, 1989 | Raise | $0.0024 → $0.0030 | +25.0% |
| Sep 26, 1988 | Raise | $0.0022 → $0.0024 | +10.0% |
| Sep 25, 1987 | Raise | $0.0020 → $0.0022 | +10.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CAH a good dividend stock?
Yes. Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 0.84% ($2.06/yr), with 39 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.
Is CAH undervalued?
Based on a blend of discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings-multiple estimate, CAH's fair value is about $318.57 versus a $251.09 share price — so it looks undervalued (+27% vs. fair value).
Is CAH's dividend safe?
CAH has a dividend-safety grade of A (99/100), based on its payout coverage, free-cash-flow, 39-year growth streak, a clean no-cut history, debt and yield-versus-history.
What is CAH's fair value?
Our blended fair-value estimate for CAH is about $318.57 per share, roughly 27% above the current $251.09 price — combining a discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings multiple.
Is CAH a buy, hold, or sell?
We don't issue formal ratings, but on the data CAH screens as "yes" and undervalued. Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 0.84% ($2.06/yr), with 39 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding. This is research for your own analysis, not investment advice.
Will CAH cut its dividend?
CAH earns a dividend-safety grade of A (99/100), with no dividend cut on record. A higher score means lower cut risk based on payout coverage, cash flow and history — but no score guarantees a dividend.
Does CAH pay a dividend?
Yes. Cardinal Health, Inc. pays a quarterly dividend of about $2.06 per share annually, a forward yield of roughly 0.84%.
What is CAH's dividend yield?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH's forward dividend yield is 0.84%, based on a $2.06 annual dividend and a $251.09 share price.
What is CAH's dividend per share?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH pays $2.06 per share per year, distributed on a quarterly basis.
What is CAH's dividend payout ratio?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH's payout ratio is 28% of trailing 12-month earnings — a comfortable level that leaves room to keep raising the dividend.
How many years has CAH grown its dividend?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH has increased its dividend for 39 consecutive years.
When is the next CAH ex-dividend date?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH's next ex-dividend date hasn't been announced. The most recent was Oct 1, 2026, for $0.52 per share.
CAH Price — Last 12 Months
Daily close
Price Return
1 Year
+18%
3 Years
+133%
5 Years
+440%
52-Week Range
$161.36 – $259.21
Price change over each period (excludes dividends). Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
What is CAH worth?
Undervaluedmedium confidenceOur blended fair-value estimate for Cardinal Health, Inc. is $318.57 per share, versus a market price of $251.09. That implies 27% of upside — a margin of safety of about 21%.
Fair Value
$318.57
Current Price
$251.09
Upside
+27%
Margin of Safety
21%
How we get there
Discounted cash flow
Discounts projected free cash flow back to today.
Earnings multiple (Graham)
Graham's earnings-multiple formula, anchored to bond yields.
At today's price, the market is pricing in about 3.4% annual free-cash-flow growth. We model 10.8% — below our estimate, leaving room for upside if the business executes.
Assumptions: 8.0% discount rate (CAPM), 10.8% growth for five years fading to 2.5% over the next five, $7.06 EPS, $2.06 annual dividend. Updated weekly.
Fair-value estimates are model output for educational purposes only — not investment advice or a price target.
CAH Dividend Safety Score
Very Safe
SmarterDividends' proprietary score, backtested against which dividends were actually cut over 15+ years (0.78 AUC). It blends a validated cut-risk model (growth streak, cut history) with current payout, cash-flow and debt. Higher is safer · not investment advice.
Dividend Growth
Total dividends per share by year
Dividend History
Full CAH dividend history →| Ex-Date | Pay Date | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | $0.5160 | regular |
| Jul 1, 2026 | Jul 15, 2026 | $0.5160 | regular |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Apr 15, 2026 | $0.5110 | regular |
| Jan 2, 2026 | Jan 15, 2026 | $0.5110 | regular |
| Oct 1, 2025 | Oct 15, 2025 | $0.5110 | regular |
| Jul 1, 2025 | Jul 15, 2025 | $0.5110 | regular |
| Apr 1, 2025 | Apr 15, 2025 | $0.5060 | regular |
| Jan 2, 2025 | Jan 15, 2025 | $0.5060 | regular |
| Oct 1, 2024 | Oct 15, 2024 | $0.5060 | regular |
| Jul 1, 2024 | Jul 15, 2024 | $0.5060 | regular |
| Mar 28, 2024 | Apr 15, 2024 | $0.5010 | regular |
| Dec 29, 2023 | Jan 15, 2024 | $0.5010 | regular |
| Oct 2, 2023 | Oct 15, 2023 | $0.5010 | regular |
| Jun 30, 2023 | Jul 15, 2023 | $0.5010 | regular |
Income Calculator
At $2.06 / yr per share
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