Operating
Change in Inventories
Cardinal Health Change in Inventories decreased by 182.3% to -$2.09B in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 176.3%, from -$758.00M to -$2.09B. Over 3 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Change in Inventories shows an upward trend with a 4.7% CAGR. This is a positive signal — lower values indicate better performance for this metric.
Analysis
StatementCash Flow Statement
SectionOperating
CategoryEfficiency
SignalLower is better
VolatilityVolatile
First reportedQ1 2013
Last reportedQ1 2026
How to read this metric
An increase might signal preparation for a major product launch or, conversely, slowing demand and potential future write-downs.
Detailed definition
This metric tracks the change in the value of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods held by the company. A...
Peer comparison
Consumer hardware companies aim for high inventory turnover to minimize the risk of product obsolescence.
Metric ID:
change_in_inventoriesHistorical Data
19 periods
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $261.00M | $129.00M | $232.00M | $561.00M | $149.00M | $264.00M | $1.38B | -$631.00M | $1.06B | $1.48B | -$1.17B | -$2.49B | $678.00M | $1.29B | -$758.00M | $607.00M | $736.00M | $2.54B | -$2.09B |
| QoQ Change | — | -50.6% | +79.8% | +141.8% | -73.4% | +77.2% | +422.3% | -145.8% | +267.5% | +39.9% | -178.8% | -113.4% | +127.3% | +90.1% | -158.8% | +180.1% | +21.3% | +245.5% | -182.3% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -42.9% | +104.7% | +494.4% | -212.5% | +300.4% | +7.3% | -84.6% | — | -35.9% | -12.8% | +34.9% | +124.4% | +8.6% | +97.3% | -176.3% |
Range-$2.49B – $2.54B
CAGR+58.8%
Avg YoY Growth+43.3%
Median YoY Growth+7.9%
Change in Inventories at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Cardinal Health's change in inventories?
- Cardinal Health (CAH) reported change in inventories of -$2.09B in Q1 2026.
- How has Cardinal Health's change in inventories changed year-over-year?
- Cardinal Health's change in inventories decreased by 176.3% year-over-year, from -$758.00M to -$2.09B.
- What is the long-term trend for Cardinal Health's change in inventories?
- Over 3 years (2021 to 2025), Cardinal Health's change in inventories has grown at a 4.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.58B to $1.82B.
- What does change in inventories mean?
- The change in the value of products and materials the company has in stock.