Cardinal Health raises full-year profit forecast on specialty drug strength

Aug 11, 2026

On August 11, 2026, Cardinal Health forecast fiscal 2027 adjusted profit between $12.40 and $12.60 per share, topping Wall Street expectations of $12.04. The distributor reported fourth-quarter adjusted profit of $2.91 per share, beating estimates of $2.42, driven by strong specialty drug demand. Revenue rose 6% to $63.67 billion, missing estimates. Cardinal Health also announced $1 billion in planned fiscal 2027 share repurchases and highlighted its recent $360 million home care acquisitions.

Cardinal Health profit forecast raise

▪Cardinal Health's total fourth-quarter revenue rose 6% to $63.67 billion, missing analysts' average expectations of $65.03 billion.
▪Cardinal Health announced on August 11, 2026, that the company expects to execute $1 billion in share repurchases during fiscal year 2027.
▪Cardinal Health shares rose over 4% in premarket trading on August 11, 2026, following the company's profit forecast announcement.
▪Cardinal Health's fiscal 2027 adjusted profit forecast of $12.40 to $12.60 per share exceeded analysts' average expectations of $12.04 per share.
▪Cardinal Health forecast fiscal 2027 adjusted profit per share between $12.40 and $12.60 on August 11, 2026.
▪Cardinal Health reported an adjusted fourth-quarter profit of $2.91 per share, beating analysts' average estimates of $2.42 per share.

Specialty drug demand growth

▪Cardinal Health's fourth-quarter performance was driven by sustained demand for branded and specialty drugs.
▪Drug distributors are experiencing rising demand for biosimilars and high-margin medicines treating complex conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.

Pharmaceutical Solutions revenue increase

▪The sales growth in Cardinal Health's Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions unit was fueled by demand for branded and specialty drugs.
▪Cardinal Health's Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions unit, its largest unit by revenue, reported a 6% year-over-year sales increase to $55.4 billion during the fourth quarter.

AdaptHealth diabetes business acquisition

▪The acquisition of AdaptHealth's diabetes business expanded Cardinal Health's home care business and broadened its reach in diabetes care using its direct-to-consumer distribution platform.
▪The acquisition of Strive Medical enhanced Cardinal Health's position in the urology market.
▪Cardinal Health acquired AdaptHealth's diabetes health business and medical supply provider Strive Medical in July 2026 in separate deals totaling approximately $360 million.