Centene Corporation (CNC) - Stock Analysis

Last updated: Sep 20, 2026

Research Idea

Research content for general circulation. Not individualized advice.Ā Methodology & Disclosures

Fresh 2026-07-28 Q2 upside surprise: EPS of $2.51 beat $0.89 expected, revenue and profit beat, net income topped $1B, and management raised the 2026 outlook. The earnings catalyst and healthcare defensiveness offset the still-recovering technical setup.

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Idea window: 7/28/2026 – 8/4/2026Sector: Healthcare

AI Analyst Overview

Last Price
$68.03
Market Cap
$33.63B
1D Return
-3.05%
YTD Return
+65.32%

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Valuation Metrics

P/E
-6.5
P/B
1.5
P/S
0.2
EV/EBITDA
-18.2
Div Yield
—

Fundamental Analysis

6.0

Key Financial Insights: • Quarterly Recovery • Strong Liquidity • Legacy Losses CNC's strong quarterly profit, cash flow, and net cash position signal recovery, but 2025 losses, leverage, intangibles, and a less-cheap valuation warrant caution.

Recovery
Caution

Price Behavior

5.0

Key Price Behavior Insights: • Weakening Momentum • Key Support • Upside Trigger Support Level: $64.00–$64.60 Resistance Level: $67.00–$67.70; stronger at $69.41 CNC remains modestly positive over the last month but faces near-term pressure below key averages, with $64.00–$64.60 support and a move above $67.70 needed to revive upside toward $69.41.

CNC
TechnicalAnalysis

Sentiment & News

6.0

Key News Insights: • Earnings Momentum • Valuation Appeal • Medicaid Pressure Centene's turnaround momentum, stronger pricing, and improving estimates support a constructive outlook, though Medicaid attrition remains a key risk.

Centene
Healthcare
AI

AI Summary

6.0
Neutral

Centene has shifted from a cheap enrollment-growth turnaround to a margin-execution story: after its rally into the mid-$60s, investors should require sustained proof that pricing and medical-cost discipline can offset a projected 9% Medicaid membership decline, as policy or utilization setbacks could quickly reverse the recovery.

MarginRecovery
MedicaidRisk
Execution
AI summary updated 36 days ago

Description

Centene Corporation is a multinational healthcare company that provides programs and services primarily for under-insured and uninsured individuals in the U.S., delivering government-funded managed care across Medicaid, CHIP, long-term services and supports, foster care, and plans for dually eligible and disabled populations, alongside commercial insurance products. Its offerings span clinical and non-clinical care coordination, pharmacy and behavioral health services, telehealth and home-based care, and supplemental services for vision, dental and transportation; a separate specialty-services unit provides pharmacy benefits management, nurse advice lines, correctional and military health support, and related staffing. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

Idea History

DateCloseTickerCompanySummaryStatusP/L
Jul 28Aug 4CNCCentene Corporation
Fresh 2026-07-28 Q2 upside surprise: EPS of $2.51 beat $0.89 expected, revenue and profit beat, net income topped $1B, and management raised the 2026 outlook. The earnings catalyst and healthcare defensiveness offset the still-recovering technical setup.
Closed+0.3%
Apr 28May 5CNCCentene Corporation
Managed-care momentum with policy catalyst: Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $3.37 beat expectations and full-year 2026 guidance was raised to above $3.40 adjusted EPS, while finalized Medicare Advantage payment increases improved reimbursement sentiment.
Closed+6.9%
Research content for educational purposes only. Not investment advice. All decisions are your responsibility.