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Centene (CNC)
NYSE:CNC

Centene (CNC) AI Stock Analysis

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CNC

Centene

(NYSE:CNC)

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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:58Neutral
Price Target:
$41.00
▲(5.21% Upside)
Centene's overall stock score reflects a mixed financial performance with significant profitability challenges. Technical analysis indicates short-term bullish momentum, but valuation concerns persist due to a negative P/E ratio. The earnings call provided some optimism with improved EPS guidance, yet highlighted ongoing operational pressures.

Centene (CNC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Centene Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCentene Corporation operates as a multi-national healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to under-insured and uninsured individuals in the United States. Its Managed Care segment offers health plan coverage to individuals through government subsidized programs, including Medicaid, the State children's health insurance program, long-term services and support, foster care, and medicare-medicaid plans, which cover dually eligible individuals, as well as aged, blind, or disabled programs. Its health plans include primary and specialty physician care, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, emergency and urgent care, prenatal care, laboratory and X-ray, home-based primary care, transportation assistance, vision care, dental care, telehealth, immunization, specialty pharmacy, therapy, social work, nurse advisory, and care coordination services, as well as prescriptions and limited over-the-counter drugs, medical equipment, and behavioral health and abuse services. This segment also offers various individual, small group, and large group commercial healthcare products to employers and directly to members. The company's Specialty Services segment provides pharmacy benefits management services; nurse advice line and after-hours support services; vision and dental services, as well as staffing services to correctional systems and other government agencies; and services to Military Health System eligible beneficiaries. This segment offers its services and products to state programs, correctional facilities, healthcare organizations, employer groups, and other commercial organizations. The company provides its services through primary and specialty care physicians, hospitals, and ancillary providers. Centene Corporation was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
How the Company Makes MoneyCentene generates revenue primarily through its health insurance plans, where it receives government funding for providing healthcare services to members enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare programs. The company operates on a capitation model, where it is paid a fixed amount per member per month (PMPM) by state and federal government programs to cover the health services for its members. Key revenue streams include premium revenue from Medicaid and Medicare, and supplemental services such as pharmacy benefits management. Additionally, Centene has formed strategic partnerships and collaborations with other healthcare providers and organizations, enhancing its service offerings and expanding its market reach, which contributes significantly to its overall earnings.

Centene Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 29, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 10, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presented a generally positive outlook with strong performance in adjusted EPS, Medicaid HBR improvement, and Medicare segment consistency. However, there were notable challenges, including a significant goodwill impairment charge and ongoing medical cost pressures in the Marketplace segment.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Adjusted EPS Exceeds Expectations
Centene reported third quarter adjusted EPS of $0.50, ahead of previous expectations, and increased the full-year adjusted EPS forecast to at least $2, up from $1.75.
Medicaid HBR Improvement
Medicaid HBR improved by 150 basis points sequentially, aided by a $150 million positive revenue adjustment in Florida, reflecting improvements in rate advocacy and program management.
Medicare Segment Consistency
Medicare segment, including Medicare Advantage and PDP, performed in line with expectations, with progress in Star ratings and stable HBR at 94.3%.
SG&A Efficiency
Adjusted SG&A expense ratio was strong at 7.0% in Q3 compared to 8.3% last year, driven by growth in PDP revenue and disciplined expense management.
Negative Updates
Goodwill Impairment Charge
A $6.7 billion non-cash goodwill impairment charge was recorded in the quarter, affecting GAAP loss per share.
Marketplace Medical Cost Pressure
Marketplace experienced additional medical cost pressure in September, leading to adjustments in Q4 provisions.
Challenges in Medicaid Drug Costs
Continued challenges in controlling Medicaid high-cost drug trends, although some moderation was observed.
Company Guidance
During Centene Corporation's third quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided updated guidance and financial metrics reflecting significant progress on their financial goals. Centene reported a third-quarter adjusted EPS of $0.50, surpassing earlier expectations, and raised its full-year adjusted EPS forecast from $1.75 to at least $2. Key performance highlights included a 93.4% health benefits ratio (HBR) for Medicaid, aided by a $150 million revenue adjustment in Florida, and a 7.0% SG&A expense ratio, showcasing disciplined cost management. The Medicare segment performed according to expectations, with Medicare Advantage on track for a 2027 breakeven target. Centene also reported stronger-than-expected net investment income in the third quarter. Looking ahead, Centene plans to drive EPS growth in 2026, emphasizing margin improvement across its business lines while carefully navigating policy changes and market dynamics.

Centene Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Breakdown
Income Statement
Total Revenue
Gross Profit
EBITDA
Net Income
Balance Sheet
Total Assets
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
Total Debt
Total Liabilities
Stockholders Equity
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow
Operating Cash Flow
Investing Cash Flow
Financing Cash Flow

Centene Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price38.97
Price Trends
50DMA
36.94
Positive
100DMA
33.66
Positive
200DMA
43.66
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.84
Positive
RSI
53.59
Neutral
STOCH
48.55
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CNC, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 38.97 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 38.54, above the 50-day MA of 36.94, and below the 200-day MA of 43.66, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.84 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 53.59 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 48.55 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for CNC.

Centene Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (―)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$78.21B14.3912.61%1.94%11.96%-11.11%
72
Outperform
$73.76B12.1814.65%2.19%16.75%113.48%
71
Outperform
$8.27B10.0619.71%13.71%-18.02%
69
Neutral
$31.05B24.207.15%1.37%9.87%-5.58%
58
Neutral
$19.15B-3.59-21.93%14.92%-286.72%
49
Neutral
$4.16B-13.68-22.32%37.38%-912.18%
* Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CNC
Centene
38.97
-20.74
-34.73%
CI
Cigna
273.84
4.58
1.70%
HUM
Humana
260.28
27.77
11.94%
MOH
Molina Healthcare
162.30
-131.22
-44.71%
ELV
Elevance Health
345.96
-13.56
-3.77%
OSCR
Oscar Health
15.39
1.89
14.00%

Centene Corporate Events

Financial Disclosures
Centene to Present at UBS 2025 Healthcare Conference
Neutral
Nov 10, 2025

Centene Corporation announced its participation in the UBS 2025 Global Healthcare Conference on November 11, 2025, where it will discuss its financial outlook. The company maintains its forecast of a diluted loss per share not exceeding $(12.85) and an adjusted diluted EPS of at least $2.00 for the full year 2025. Centene emphasizes the use of non-GAAP financial measures to provide a clearer understanding of its core performance, excluding certain expenses and amortizations, to better assess its ongoing operations and performance consistency.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Centene to Present at Deutsche Bank Healthcare Summit
Neutral
Sep 11, 2025

Centene Corporation announced its participation in the Deutsche Bank 2025 Healthcare Summit on September 11, 2025, where management will discuss the company’s business and financial results through August. The results align with its full-year 2025 forecast of approximately $1.75 adjusted diluted earnings per share. The company emphasizes the use of non-GAAP financial measures to provide investors with a clearer view of its core operations, although it cautions that these measures may differ from those used by other companies.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 26, 2025