Cardinal Health (FRA:CLH) Beneish M-Score: -2.65 (As of Jun. 24, 2026)


FRA:CLH Cardinal Health Inc FRA:CLH
81 GF Score
Price €193.25
GF Value €119.66
Valuation Significantly Overvalued
! 6 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is Cardinal Health Beneish M-Score?

Cardinal Health FRA:CLH +0.16% 81 Beneish M-Score is -2.65 as of Jun. 24, 2026. GuruFocus rates FRA:CLH with a GF Score™ of 81/100 and a GF Value™ of €119.66 (Significantly Overvalued). The stock has 6 warning signs investors should review. Among 113 Medical Distribution companies, Cardinal Health ranks better than 65.49% on this metric.

The zones of discrimination for M-Score is as such:

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.
An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Good Sign:

Beneish M-Score -2.65 no higher than -1.78, which implies that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

The historical rank and industry rank for Cardinal Health's Beneish M-Score or its related term are showing as below:

FRA:CLH' s Beneish M-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -2.83   Med: -2.53   Max: -2.17
Current: -2.65

During the past 13 years, the highest Beneish M-Score of Cardinal Health was -2.17. The lowest was -2.83. And the median was -2.53.


Cardinal Health Beneish M-Score Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for Cardinal Health's Beneish M-Score can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

Cardinal Health Beneish M-Score Chart

Cardinal Health Annual Data
Trend Jun16 Jun17 Jun18 Jun19 Jun20 Jun21 Jun22 Jun23 Jun24 Jun25
Beneish M-Score
Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.45 -2.53 -2.63 -2.58 -2.32

Cardinal Health Quarterly Data
Jun21 Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26
Beneish M-Score Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.35 -2.32 -2.49 -2.57 -2.65

FRA:CLH vs COR, HSIC, MCK: Beneish M-Score Comparison

For the Medical Distribution subindustry, Cardinal Health's Beneish M-Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Beneish M-Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


Cardinal Health Beneish M-Score vs Medical Distribution Industry

For the Medical Distribution industry and Healthcare sector, Cardinal Health's Beneish M-Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Cardinal Health's Beneish M-Score falls into.


FRA:CLH
81GF Score
Cardinal Health Inc FRA:CLH
Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

Cardinal Health Beneish M-Score Calculation

The M-score was created by Professor Messod Beneish. Instead of measuring the bankruptcy risk (Altman Z-Score) or business trend (Piotroski F-Score), M-score can be used to detect the risk of earnings manipulation. This is the original research paper on M-score.

The M-Score Variables:

The M-score of Cardinal Health for today is based on a combination of the following eight different indices:

M=-4.84+0.92 * DSRI+0.528 * GMI+0.404 * AQI+0.892 * SGI+0.115 * DEPI
=-4.84+0.92 * 0.9646+0.528 * 0.9396+0.404 * 1.0949+0.892 * 1.0446+0.115 * 0.9388
-0.172 * SGAI+4.679 * TATA-0.327 * LVGI
-0.172 * 1.027+4.679 * -0.050164-0.327 * 1.009
=-2.72

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

This Year (Mar26) TTM:Last Year (Mar25) TTM:
Total Receivables was €11,806 Mil.
Revenue was 52713.1 + 56045.458 + 54535.668 + 52157.853 = €215,452 Mil.
Gross Profit was 2160.77 + 2047.038 + 1975.788 + 1909.134 = €8,093 Mil.
Total Current Assets was €32,925 Mil.
Total Assets was €49,036 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was €2,533 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was €794 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was €5,150 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was €36,320 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was €7,132 Mil.
Net Income was 345.135 + 398.818 + 383.4 + 207.213 = €1,335 Mil.
Non Operating Income was -301.885 + -38.43 + -64.752 + -110.109 = €-515 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was 1576.895 + 585.844 + 828.996 + 1317.84 = €4,310 Mil.
Total Receivables was €11,716 Mil.
Revenue was 50762.15 + 52777.12 + 47101.577 + 55616.443 = €206,257 Mil.
Gross Profit was 1963.775 + 1853.655 + 1713.702 + 1748.378 = €7,280 Mil.
Total Current Assets was €32,000 Mil.
Total Assets was €46,131 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was €2,464 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was €712 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was €4,801 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was €33,912 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was €6,601 Mil.




1. DSRI = Days Sales in Receivables Index

Measured as the ratio of Revenue in Total Receivables in year t to year t-1.

A large increase in DSR could be indicative of revenue inflation.

DSRI=(Receivables_t / Revenue_t) / (Receivables_t-1 / Revenue_t-1)
=(11805.52 / 215452.079) / (11716.05 / 206257.29)
=0.054794 / 0.056803
=0.9646

2. GMI = Gross Margin Index

Measured as the ratio of gross margin in year t-1 to gross margin in year t.

Gross margin has deteriorated when this index is above 1. A firm with poorer prospects is more likely to manipulate earnings.

GMI=GrossMargin_t-1 / GrossMargin_t
=(GrossProfit_t-1 / Revenue_t-1) / (GrossProfit_t / Revenue_t)
=(7279.51 / 206257.29) / (8092.73 / 215452.079)
=0.035293 / 0.037562
=0.9396

3. AQI = Asset Quality Index

AQI is the ratio of asset quality in year t to year t-1.

Asset quality is measured as the ratio of non-current assets other than Property, Plant and Equipment to Total Assets.

AQI=(1 - (CurrentAssets_t + PPE_t) / TotalAssets_t) / (1 - (CurrentAssets_t-1 + PPE_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=(1 - (32925.36 + 2532.72) / 49035.985) / (1 - (32000.375 + 2464.2) / 46130.675)
=0.276897 / 0.252892
=1.0949

4. SGI = Sales Growth Index

Ratio of Revenue in year t to sales in year t-1.

Sales growth is not itself a measure of manipulation. However, growth companies are likely to find themselves under pressure to manipulate in order to keep up appearances.

SGI=Sales_t / Sales_t-1
=Revenue_t / Revenue_t-1
=215452.079 / 206257.29
=1.0446

5. DEPI = Depreciation Index

Measured as the ratio of the rate of Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in year t-1 to the corresponding rate in year t.

DEPI greater than 1 indicates that assets are being depreciated at a slower rate. This suggests that the firm might be revising useful asset life assumptions upwards, or adopting a new method that is income friendly.

DEPI=(Depreciation_t-1 / (Depreciaton_t-1 + PPE_t-1)) / (Depreciation_t / (Depreciaton_t + PPE_t))
=(711.611 / (711.611 + 2464.2)) / (794.075 / (794.075 + 2532.72))
=0.224072 / 0.238691
=0.9388

Note: If the Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization data is not available, we assume that the depreciation rate is constant and set the Depreciation Index to 1.

6. SGAI = Sales, General and Administrative expenses Index

The ratio of Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) to Sales in year t relative to year t-1.

SGA expenses index > 1 means that the company is becoming less efficient in generate sales.

SGAI=(SGA_t / Sales_t) / (SGA_t-1 /Sales_t-1)
=(5149.646 / 215452.079) / (4800.515 / 206257.29)
=0.023902 / 0.023274
=1.027

7. LVGI = Leverage Index

The ratio of total debt to Total Assets in year t relative to yeat t-1.

An LVGI > 1 indicates an increase in leverage

LVGI=((LTD_t + CurrentLiabilities_t) / TotalAssets_t) / ((LTD_t-1 + CurrentLiabilities_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=((7131.925 + 36320.485) / 49035.985) / ((6600.8 + 33912.35) / 46130.675)
=0.886133 / 0.878226
=1.009

8. TATA = Total Accruals to Total Assets

Total accruals calculated as the change in working capital accounts other than cash less depreciation.

TATA=(IncomefromContinuingOperations_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(NetIncome_t - NonOperatingIncome_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(1334.566 - -515.176 - 4309.575) / 49035.985
=-0.050164

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator. An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Cardinal Health has a M-score of -2.72 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Beneish M-Score →
What does a Beneish M-Score of -2.65 mean?
Cardinal Health (FRA:CLH) has a Beneish M-Score of -2.65 as of Jun. 24, 2026. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on Cardinal Health and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, Cardinal Health ranks #39 out of 113 companies in the Medical Distribution industry, placing it in the top 34.5%.
Is Cardinal Health's Beneish M-Score too high?
Cardinal Health's current Beneish M-Score is -2.65. Based on the distribution chart, Cardinal Health ranks #39 out of 113 companies in the Medical Distribution industry, which is above the industry midpoint. Overall, Cardinal Health has a GF Score™ of 81/100 and is considered Significantly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Cardinal Health's Beneish M-Score compare to COR and HSIC?
According to the Medical Distribution industry distribution chart, Cardinal Health ranks #39 out of 113 companies for Beneish M-Score. This puts Cardinal Health in the upper half of its industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Beneish M-Score for a Medical Distribution company?
A good Beneish M-Score depends on the Medical Distribution industry context. However, Beneish M-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Beneish M-Score mean?
A high Beneish M-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on Cardinal Health and its competitors. Cardinal Health's current Beneish M-Score is -2.65. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Cardinal Health stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Cardinal Health (FRA:CLH) is currently considered Significantly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is €119.66, compared to a current price of €193.25 — trading 61.5% above its estimated fair value. The current Beneish M-Score is -2.65. Cardinal Health's overall GF Score™ is 81/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Beneish M-Score calculated?
Beneish M-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Cardinal Health (FRA:CLH), the current Beneish M-Score is -2.65 as of Jun. 24, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is Cardinal Health (FRA:CLH) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Cardinal Health stock appears to be overvalued. The current stock price of €193.25 is trading 61.5% above its estimated GF Value™ of €119.66. GuruFocus considers Cardinal Health to be Significantly Overvalued.

Key valuation signals for FRA:CLH:

  • Beneish M-Score: -2.65
  • GF Value™: €119.66 vs. price of €193.25 (61.5% above fair value)
  • GF Score™: 81/100 with 6 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the FRA:CLH stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Cardinal Health Business Description

Address 7000 Cardinal Place, Dublin, OH, USA, 43017
Cardinal Health is one of three leading pharmaceutical wholesalers in the US, engaged in sourcing and distributing of branded, generic, and specialty pharmaceutical products to pharmacies (retail chains, independent, and mail order), hospital networks, and healthcare providers. Cardinal, Cencora, and McKesson hold well over 90% of the US pharmaceutical wholesale industry. Cardinal Health also supplies medical-surgical products and equipment to healthcare facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
81GF Score

Get the complete analysis for FRA:CLH

Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

€193.25
Price
€119.66
GF Value