Centene (CNC)
NYSE:CNC
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Earnings Data
Report Date
Jul 24, 2026Before Open (Confirmed)
Period Ending
2026 (Q2)Consensus EPS Forecast
1.11Last Year’s EPS
-0.16Same Quarter Last Year
Moderate Buy
Based on 17 Analysts Ratings
Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call conveyed strong first-quarter execution with an EPS beat, raised full-year EPS outlook, improved Medicaid margins, Medicare outperformance, disciplined SG&A and robust cash generation. These positives were balanced by ongoing elevated medical and specialty pharmacy trends, Marketplace utilization in the Silver tier (with guidance conservatively not reflecting the full potential risk adjustment offset), seasonality that weights earnings toward Q1 and the need to refine assumptions once June Wakely data arrives. Management emphasized operational progress (trend programs, payment integrity, leadership changes) and prudent conservatism in guidance.Company Guidance
Quarterly EPS Beat and Raised Full-Year Outlook
Reported adjusted diluted EPS of $3.37 for Q1 2026, roughly $0.50 above expectations. Increased full-year adjusted EPS guidance to greater than $3.40 (up from greater than $3.00).
Strong Revenue Base and Cash Generation
First quarter premium and service revenue totaled $44.7 billion. Cash flow provided by operations was $4.4 billion for Q1, and cash available for general corporate use was $437 million.
Medicaid Margin Improvement
Medicaid HBR improved to 93.1% in Q1 2026, a 50 basis-point improvement versus Q1 2025. Medicaid membership ended Q1 at 12.4 million and management expects a Medicaid composite rate yield of roughly 4.5% with net trend guidance in the mid-4% range.
Medicare Outperformance
Medicare segment HBR was 84.9%, better than forecast, with both Medicare Advantage and PDP contributing. PDP membership ended Q1 at just over 8.7 million, and management cited progress toward a path to breakeven for Medicare Advantage in 2027.
Marketplace Membership and Data Visibility
Marketplace (Ambetter) ended Q1 with ~3.58 million members. Collaboration with peers and Wakely produced earlier market demographics and risk insights that support management's view of a higher-acuity Silver cohort and an expected meaningful risk adjustment offset.
SG&A Discipline and Expense Improvement
Consolidated adjusted SG&A ratio improved to 7.6% in Q1 from 7.9% a year ago (down 30 basis points). Management lowered full-year consolidated SG&A guidance by 10 basis points and added $50 million to expected investment income.
Balance Sheet and Liability Actions
Sold $1.0 billion of 2025 Part D receivables and used proceeds to repurchase $1.0 billion of senior notes. Debt-to-capital ratio improved to 43.2% from 46.5% at year-end. Medical claims liability totaled $20.6 billion (48 days in claims payable).
Operational & Organizational Progress
Management highlighted scaled trend-management programs (utilization management, network optimization, clinical programs, payment integrity) showing early results. Leadership evolution: Dan Finke and Michael Carson elevated to Group President roles. Company ranked in the top 50 of Forbes Best Employers for company culture.
CNC Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed
CNC Earnings-Related Price Changes
Report Date | Price 1 Day Before | Price 1 Day After | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Apr 28, 2026 | $43.50 | $49.57 | +13.95% |
Feb 06, 2026 | $39.92 | $38.46 | -3.66% |
Oct 29, 2025 | $33.19 | $37.34 | +12.50% |
Jul 25, 2025 | $26.76 | $28.39 | +6.09% |
Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.
FAQ
When does Centene (CNC) report earnings?
Centene (CNC) is schdueled to report earning on Jul 24, 2026, Before Open (Confirmed).
What is Centene (CNC) earnings time?
Centene (CNC) earnings time is at Jul 24, 2026, Before Open (Confirmed).
Where can I see when companies are reporting earnings?
You can see which companies are reporting today on our designated earnings calendar.
What companies are reporting earnings today?
You can see a list of the companies which are reporting today on TipRanks earnings calendar.
What is CNC EPS forecast?
CNC EPS forecast for the fiscal quarter 2026 (Q2) is 1.11.