Cardinal Health, Inc. is a global healthcare services and products company that operates primarily through two main segments: Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, and Global Medical Products and Distribution (GMPD). The company distributes branded and generic pharmaceuticals, specialty pharmaceuticals, and over-the-counter healthcare products in the United States, and provides services to pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers . Cardinal Health also manufactures, sources, and distributes medical, surgical, and laboratory products, and offers inventory management technology . The company has undergone a reorganization to focus on core operations and growth areas, prioritizing long-term growth and investment in its key segments .
- Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions - Distributes branded and generic pharmaceuticals, specialty pharmaceuticals, and over-the-counter healthcare products in the United States, and provides services to pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers.
- Global Medical Products and Distribution (GMPD) - Manufactures, sources, and distributes Cardinal Health branded medical, surgical, and laboratory products, as well as national brand products, to healthcare providers in the United States and Canada. Includes the Wavemark division, which provides inventory management technology.
- Nuclear and Precision Health Solutions - Offers specialized healthcare solutions, although not significant enough individually to require separate reportable segment disclosures.
- at-Home Solutions - Provides healthcare products and services designed for home use, contributing to the company's growth strategy.
- OptiFreight® Logistics - Delivers logistics and transportation services, supporting the company's focus on efficient supply chain management.
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| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jason M. Hollar ExecutiveBoard | Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | Board Member at DaVita Inc. | Joined CAH in May 2020 as CFO, became CEO in September 2022. Previously held leadership roles at Tenneco, Sears, Delphi, and Navistar. | |
Aaron E. Alt Executive | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | None | Joined CAH as CFO in February 2023. Previously CFO at Sysco Corporation and Sally Beauty Holdings. | |
Deborah L. Weitzman Executive | CEO, Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions | Board Member at National Association of Chain Drug Stores; Delegate with National Association of Wholesalers | Joined CAH in 2017. Previously President of Pharmaceutical Distribution. Became CEO of Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions in September 2022. | |
Jessica L. Mayer Executive | Chief Legal and Compliance Officer | None | Joined CAH in 2017 as EVP, Deputy General Counsel, and Secretary. Promoted to Chief Legal and Compliance Officer in March 2019. | |
Michelle D. Greene Executive | EVP, Chief Information Officer, and Customer Support Services | None | Joined CAH in February 2021 as SVP of IT for the Pharmaceutical segment. Promoted to EVP and CIO in August 2022. | |
Ola M. Snow Executive | Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) | None | Joined CAH in January 2016 as SVP, Human Resources. Promoted to CHRO in October 2018. | |
Stephen M. Mason Executive | CEO, Global Medical Products and Distribution | None | Joined CAH in 2016 as President of Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions. Became CEO of GMPD in August 2019. | |
Akhil Johri Board | Independent Director | Operating Advisor at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice; Director at The Boeing Company | Director at CAH since 2018. Chair of the Audit Committee. Former EVP and CFO of United Technologies Corporation. | |
Gregory B. Kenny Board | Independent Chairman of the Board | Director at Ingredion Incorporated | Director at CAH since 2007. Became Chairman in November 2018. Former President and CEO of General Cable Corporation. | |
Nancy Killefer Board | Independent Director | Director at Certara, Inc.; Director at Meta Platforms, Inc. | Director at CAH since 2015. Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. Former Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. | |
Patricia A. Hemingway Hall Board | Independent Director | Director at ManpowerGroup Inc. | Director at CAH since 2013. Chair of the Governance and Sustainability Committee. Former President and CEO of Health Care Service Corporation. | |
Robert W. Azelby Board | Independent Director | Director at ADC Therapeutics SA; Director at Autolus Therapeutics plc | Director at CAH since March 2024. Extensive healthcare experience, including CEO roles at Eliem Therapeutics and Alder BioPharmaceuticals. | |
Sheri H. Edison Board | Independent Director | Director at Union Pacific Corporation | Director at CAH since 2020. Chair of the Risk Oversight Committee. Former General Counsel at Amcor plc. |
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Regarding the GMPD segment, despite the expected annualization of inflation mitigation benefits, can you provide more detail on how you plan to achieve the significant jump to $300 million in segment profit by fiscal year '26, especially considering recent input cost increases and challenges in passing these costs on to customers?
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In the Pharma segment, you anticipate a 4% to 6% revenue decline due to the nearly $40 billion headwind from the large customer contract expiration. Can you elaborate on the specific strategies and customer wins that will offset this loss, and how confident are you in the timing and ramp-up of these new volumes?
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You've highlighted the Averon joint venture with CVS to source biosimilars. Given that the joint venture extends beyond the distribution contract ending in 2027 and the Red Oak agreement ending in 2029, what are the financial implications and risks associated with this venture, especially if the underlying agreements with CVS are not renewed?
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In light of the restatement of GMPD financials due to revenue recognition issues in your at-Home business, can you explain the controls you have put in place to prevent such issues in the future, and reassure investors about the reliability of your current financial reporting?
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Could you provide more clarity on the expected growth and investment returns from your 'Other' segment businesses, particularly Nuclear and Precision Health Solutions, OptiFreight, and at-Home Solutions, and how these investments will contribute to overall profitability, considering the heavy investment periods and the timing of returns?
Competitors mentioned in the company's latest 10K filing.
| Company | Description |
|---|---|
In the Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment, the company competes with wholesale distributors with national reach, including this competitor, regional wholesale distributors, self-warehousing chains, specialty distributors, third-party logistics companies and companies that provide specialty pharmaceutical services among others. | |
In the Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment, the company competes with wholesale distributors with national reach, including this competitor, regional wholesale distributors, self-warehousing chains, specialty distributors, third-party logistics companies and companies that provide specialty pharmaceutical services among others. | |
Medline Industries, Inc. | In the GMPD segment, the company competes with many diversified healthcare companies and national medical product distributors, such as this competitor, as well as regional medical product distributors and companies that are focused on specific product categories. |
In the GMPD segment, the company competes with many diversified healthcare companies and national medical product distributors, such as this competitor, as well as regional medical product distributors and companies that are focused on specific product categories. | |
In the GMPD segment, the company competes with many diversified healthcare companies and national medical product distributors, such as this competitor, as well as regional medical product distributors and companies that are focused on specific product categories. |
Notable M&A activity and strategic investments in the past 3 years.
| Company | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
GI Alliance (GIA) | 2025 | Cardinal Health acquired a 73% stake in GIA for approximately $2.8 billion in cash, with a future call option to purchase the remaining equity, to accelerate its multi-specialty growth and expand its gastroenterology offerings; the deal was financed with cash and new debt, and GIA will operate as a stand-alone platform within the Pharma segment. |
Advanced Diabetes Supply Group (ADSG) | 2024 | The acquisition of ADSG for $1.1 billion in cash will merge it with Cardinal Health's at-Home Solutions business to enhance its diabetes supply capabilities and is expected to contribute at least $300 million in additional EBITDA, financed partly by a $2.9 billion bridge loan commitment. |
Integrated Oncology Network (ION) | 2024 | ION was acquired for $1.1 billion in cash to bolster Cardinal Health’s Navista oncology practice alliance by adding over 100 providers, with the deal funded through available cash and borrowing arrangements and expected to be accretive to non-GAAP EPS within 12 months, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. |
Specialty Networks | 2024 | Cardinal Health completed the acquisition for $1.2 billion in cash to expand its specialty services and analytics capabilities, leveraging the PPS Analytics technology platform to enhance data-driven decision making, with the deal resulting in significant goodwill and identifiable intangible assets and funded through available cash. |
Bendcare Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) | 2023 | The acquisition of Bendcare’s GPO, alongside a minority investment in its MSO, strategically strengthens Cardinal Health’s specialty pharmaceutical offerings in the growing rheumatology market, which is valued at approximately $20 billion, supporting nearly 200 rheumatologists. |
ScalaMed | 2022 | Cardinal Health acquired ScalaMed’s smart prescription platform, transferring its technology and assets to Outcomes, a Cardinal Health company, to enhance direct patient prescription delivery capabilities. |
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for CAH.
- Raised FY25 non‐GAAP diluted EPS guidance to $8.15–$8.20 (9% growth at midpoint) with preliminary FY26 guidance at $9.10–$9.30 and reaffirmed long‐term FY26–28 targets of 12–14% EPS CAGR .
- Outlined a $11 billion three‐year capital deployment framework allocating $3.75 billion for dividends/buybacks, $1 billion for opioid litigation, $1 billion for debt reduction, and ~$5 billion for strategic tuck-in M&A .
- Forecasted adjusted free cash flow of ~$2 billion for FY25 and at least $10 billion overall, while raising the annual share repurchase baseline to $750 million over the next three years .
- Emphasized a strong core distribution foundation with Pharma & Specialty Solutions as its largest, highest‐growth priority, and planned targeted investments in its nuclear, at‐home, and OptiFreight segments .
- Announced new infrastructure projects including a state‐of‐the‐art automated forward distribution center and the Vantas HQ ordering platform .
- Launched the Specialty Alliance—expanding GI, and initiating Urology and oncology networks—and introduced The Specialty Alliance MSO platform to support ~2,200 providers .
- Committed to further investments with a $150 million+ investment in Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions, enhanced automation in at‐home and OptiFreight Logistics, and bringing the Ohio Consumer Health Logistics Center online in July 2025 .
- Cardinal Health’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend increase to $0.5107 per share from its capital surplus.
- The declared dividend will be payable on July 15, 2025 to shareholders of record as of July 1, 2025.
- Cardinal Health delivered strong Q3 2025 results with non‐GAAP EPS of $2.35 and a 21% rise in operating earnings to $807M, demonstrating resilient performance across segments.
- Raised full‐year FY25 EPS guidance to $8.05–$8.15 with free cash flow now expected near $1.5 billion, reflecting robust operational execution and strategic investments.
- Q3 GAAP results included revenue of $54.9 billion, operating earnings of $730 million, and net earnings of $506 million, underscoring solid financial momentum.
- Pharmaceutical & Specialty Solutions drove revenue of $50.4 billion with $662 million in profit, highlighting strong market performance.
- Additional segment highlights: Global Medical Products & Distribution reported $3.16 billion in revenue with $39 million profit, and Other segments delivered $1.3 billion in revenue with $134 million profit.
- Continued domestic investments of approximately $7 billion over the past two years, coupled with successful integrations (ADSG, GI Alliance, ION) and cost reduction initiatives to mitigate tariff impacts, bolster growth.
- CFO Aaron Alt emphasized the company's strong operational excellence and resiliency amid a challenging environment, noting robust demand across pharma, specialty, and consumer health segments.
- Management confirmed the execution of an ASR in Q3 to complete its $750 million share repurchase program as part of its commitment to return capital.
- The discussion highlighted strategic investments in specialty areas such as Specialty Networks and GI Alliance, aiming to enhance higher margin biopharma services and diversify the product mix.
- The team detailed proactive measures to mitigate tariff risks, including increasing domestic production and operational flexibility, while resegregating businesses like Nuclear & Precision Health, OptiFreight, and at Home segments.