Cardinal Health (CAH) reported net income of $554 million in fiscal Q1 2027, ended September 30, 2026, up 23% from $450 million in the same period a year earlier. Earnings per share (EPS) were $2.38, up 27%. Revenue totaled $67.5 billion, a 5% increase.
GAAP operating profit (the official U.S. accounting standard) rose 13% to $753 million. On an adjusted basis (non-GAAP, which excludes items the company considers non-recurring), operating profit increased 17% to $1.0 billion, and adjusted earnings per share rose 28% to $3.26. The company attributes the increase in adjusted EPS to higher adjusted operating profit, a lower share count and a lower effective tax rate. Adjusted free cash flow was $1.6 billion, compared with $1.3 billion a year earlier.
In the Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions division, revenue rose 6% to $62.6 billion, and segment profit grew 17% to $783 million. In Global Medical Products and Distribution, revenue was flat at $3.2 billion, and segment profit fell 28% to $33 million, due to unfavorable distribution and foreign exchange effects. In the Other group, revenue increased 7% to $1.8 billion, and profit rose 16% to $193 million.
Cardinal Health raised its fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS guidance to between $12.80 and $13.00, up from $12.40 to $12.60 previously. The range represents growth of 14% to 15% over reported fiscal 2026 results. The company also completed a $500 million share buyback program during the quarter and announced an additional $1.0 billion in uncommitted revolving credit lines.
