COR
Cencora, Inc.
Medical - Distribution
Market Cap$50.80B
5Y Perf.+173.8%
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Stock Comparison
COR vs MCK vs CAH
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MCK
McKesson Corporation
Medical - Distribution
Market Cap$90.21B
5Y Perf.+364.2%
CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc.
Medical - Distribution
Market Cap$43.22B
5Y Perf.+235.8%
COR vs MCK vs CAH — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | COR | MCK | CAH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Distribution | Medical - Distribution | Medical - Distribution |
| Market Cap | $50.80B | $90.21B | $43.22B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $328.68B | $403.43B | $250.55B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.55B | $4.76B | $1.56B |
| Gross Margin | 3.5% | 3.6% | 3.7% |
| Operating Margin | 1.2% | 1.5% | 0.9% |
| Forward P/E | 14.7x | 16.7x | 17.1x |
| Total Debt | $10.75B | $8.61B | $9.35B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $4.39B | $3.98B | $3.87B |
COR vs MCK vs CAH — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
COR
MCK
CAH
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cencora, Inc. (COR) | 100 | 273.8 | +173.8% |
| McKesson Corporation (MCK) | 100 | 464.2 | +364.2% |
| Cardinal Health, In… (CAH) | 100 | 335.8 | +235.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: COR vs MCK vs CAH
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MCK leads in 3 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Cencora, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
COR
Cencora, Inc.
The Income Pick
COR is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 24 yrs, beta 0.00, yield 0.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.00, current ratio 0.90x
- Lower P/E (14.7x vs 17.1x)
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
MCK
McKesson Corporation
The Growth Play
MCK has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 12.4%, EPS growth 49.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 13.4%
- 339.0% 10Y total return vs COR's 276.7%
- 12.4% revenue growth vs CAH's -1.9%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc.
The Defensive Pick
CAH is the clearest fit if your priority is defensive.
- Beta 0.01, yield 1.1%, current ratio 0.94x
- 1.1% yield, 20-year raise streak, vs COR's 0.9%
- +26.1% vs COR's -7.2%
Best for: defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MCK | 12.4% revenue growth vs CAH's -1.9% |
| Value | COR | Lower P/E (14.7x vs 17.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | MCK | 1.2% margin vs CAH's 0.6% |
| Stability / Safety | COR | Beta 0.00 vs CAH's 0.01 |
| Dividends | CAH | 1.1% yield, 20-year raise streak, vs COR's 0.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CAH | +26.1% vs COR's -7.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MCK | 5.7% ROA vs CAH's 2.8%, ROIC 74.5% vs 33.8% |
COR vs MCK vs CAH — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2026
FY 2025
COR vs MCK vs CAH — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 3 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCAHLAGGINGCOR
CORCencora, Inc.
0leads
MCKMcKesson Corporation
1leads
CAHCardinal Health, Inc.
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MCKvs CORMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CAH3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MCK8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CAH4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CAH leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MCK is the larger business by revenue, generating $403.4B annually — 1.6x CAH's $250.5B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 1.2% (MCK) to 0.6% (CAH). On growth, CAH holds the edge at +11.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CORCencora, Inc. | MCKMcKesson Corporat… | CAHCardinal Health, … |
|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $328.7B | $403.4B | $250.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $5.0B | $6.8B | $3.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.5B | $4.8B | $1.6B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.6B | $6.0B | $4.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +3.5% | +3.6% | +3.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.2% | +1.5% | +0.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.8% | +1.2% | +0.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +0.5% | +1.5% | +1.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.8% | +6.0% | +11.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +128.3% | +37.0% | -19.5% |
CAH leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — COR and MCK each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 19.2x trailing earnings, MCK trades at a 41% valuation discount to COR's 32.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, COR's 12.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CAH's 15.9x.
| Metric | CORCencora, Inc. | MCKMcKesson Corporat… | CAHCardinal Health, … |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $50.8B | $90.2B | $43.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $57.1B | $94.9B | $48.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 32.80x | 19.19x | 28.47x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 14.74x | 16.66x | 17.09x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.43x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.14x | 15.27x | 15.88x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.16x | 0.22x | 0.19x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 29.17x | 11.63x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 15.84x | 14.66x | 23.36x |
Evenly matched — COR and MCK each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MCK leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MCK delivers a 3.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $106 for COR. MCK carries lower financial leverage with a 1.10x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to COR's 6.15x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MCK scores 7/9 vs CAH's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | CORCencora, Inc. | MCKMcKesson Corporat… | CAHCardinal Health, … |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +105.8% | +3.0% | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.3% | +5.7% | +2.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +44.5% | +74.5% | +33.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +23.1% | +43.1% | +19.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 6.15x | 1.10x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $6.4B | $4.6B | $5.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $4.4B | $4.0B | $3.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $10.7B | $8.6B | $9.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.73x | 33.79x | 6.38x |
MCK leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CAH leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MCK five years ago would be worth $37,043 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $22,002 for COR. Over the past 12 months, CAH leads with a +26.1% total return vs COR's -7.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CAH at 31.1% vs COR's 16.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CORCencora, Inc. | MCKMcKesson Corporat… | CAHCardinal Health, … |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -22.8% | -10.5% | -10.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -7.2% | +7.2% | +26.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +59.0% | +102.1% | +125.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +120.0% | +270.4% | +232.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +276.7% | +339.0% | +158.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.7% | +26.4% | +31.1% |
CAH leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MCK and CAH each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MCK is the less volatile stock with a -0.02 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CAH's 0.01 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CAH currently trades 78.6% from its 52-week high vs COR's 69.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CORCencora, Inc. | MCKMcKesson Corporat… | CAHCardinal Health, … |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.00x | -0.02x | 0.01x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $377.54 | $999.00 | $233.60 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $244.82 | $637.00 | $137.75 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +69.2% | +73.7% | +78.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 19.5 | 21.0 | 28.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.5M | 782K | 1.8M |
Evenly matched — MCK and CAH each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — COR and CAH each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: COR as "Buy", MCK as "Buy", CAH as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 54.5% upside for COR (target: $403) vs 35.1% for MCK (target: $995). For income investors, CAH offers the higher dividend yield at 1.11% vs MCK's 0.42%.
| Metric | CORCencora, Inc. | MCKMcKesson Corporat… | CAHCardinal Health, … |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $403.29 | $994.86 | $253.38 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 46 | 31 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.9% | +0.4% | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 24 | 18 | 20 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.24 | $3.07 | $2.04 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.9% | 0.0% | +1.8% |
Evenly matched — COR and CAH each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CAH leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). MCK leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 3 tied.
Best OverallCardinal Health, Inc. (CAH)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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COR vs MCK vs CAH: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is COR or MCK or CAH a better buy right now?
For growth investors, McKesson Corporation (MCK) is the stronger pick with 12.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 9% for Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH). McKesson Corporation (MCK) offers the better valuation at 19. 2x trailing P/E (16. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Cencora, Inc. (COR) a "Buy" — based on 46 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — COR or MCK or CAH?
On trailing P/E, McKesson Corporation (MCK) is the cheapest at 19.
2x versus Cencora, Inc. at 32. 8x. On forward P/E, Cencora, Inc. is actually cheaper at 14. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — COR or MCK or CAH?
Over the past 5 years, McKesson Corporation (MCK) delivered a total return of +270.
4%, compared to +120. 0% for Cencora, Inc. (COR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MCK returned +339. 0% versus CAH's +158. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — COR or MCK or CAH?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), McKesson Corporation (MCK) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
02β versus Cardinal Health, Inc. 's 0. 01β — meaning CAH is approximately -140% more volatile than MCK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, McKesson Corporation (MCK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 110% versus 6% for Cencora, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — COR or MCK or CAH?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), McKesson Corporation (MCK) is pulling ahead at 12.
4% versus -1. 9% for Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cardinal Health, Inc. grew EPS 87. 0% year-over-year, compared to 5. 7% for Cencora, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MCK leads at 13. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — COR or MCK or CAH?
McKesson Corporation (MCK) is the more profitable company, earning 1.
2% net margin versus 0. 5% for Cencora, Inc. — meaning it keeps 1. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MCK leads at 1. 5% versus 1. 0% for CAH. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CAH leads at 3. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is COR or MCK or CAH more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Cencora, Inc.
(COR) trades at 14. 7x forward P/E versus 17. 1x for Cardinal Health, Inc. — 2. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for COR: 54. 5% to $403. 29.
08Which pays a better dividend — COR or MCK or CAH?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 0. 4% for McKesson Corporation (MCK).
09Is COR or MCK or CAH better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Cencora, Inc.
(COR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 00), 0. 9% yield, +276. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (COR: +276. 7%, MCK: +339. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between COR and MCK and CAH?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
COR, CAH pay a dividend while MCK does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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