Vanguard Group Inc. Boosts Stock Holdings in Centene Corporation $CNC

Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) by 0.3% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 56,978,753 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 190,334 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 0.12% of Centene worth $2,344,676,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of CNC. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd raised its position in Centene by 66.0% in the third quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 85,232 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,041,000 after acquiring an additional 33,875 shares in the last quarter. Oracle Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Centene during the 3rd quarter worth $3,936,000. Packer & Co Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Centene during the 3rd quarter worth $50,487,000. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. increased its holdings in shares of Centene by 122.5% in the 3rd quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 223,157 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,962,000 after purchasing an additional 122,870 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ARGA Investment Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Centene in the third quarter valued at about $21,485,000. 93.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Centene from $34.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Bank of America raised Centene from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $34.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Mizuho set a $41.00 price target on Centene and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating and set a $40.00 price objective on shares of Centene in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on Centene from $49.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Centene has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $49.76.

More Centene News

Here are the key news stories impacting Centene this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and raised outlook. Centene reported adjusted Q1 EPS well above estimates and raised its 2026 profit forecast on improving medical-cost controls and premium growth — the primary catalyst for the rally. Centene sees higher 2026 profit on improving cost controls
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and higher price targets. Several firms increased forecasts and raised targets (Bank of America, Truist, UBS among others), providing fresh buy-side momentum and validation for the improved outlook. Centene Analysts Increase Their Forecasts Following Upbeat Q1 Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual bullish options flow. Elevated call buying (about double typical volume) suggests speculative or hedged bullish positioning that can amplify intraday moves.
• Neutral Sentiment: Cautious tone on the earnings call. Management highlighted progress on medical-cost control but retained a measured stance on outlook details — supports a constructive view but leaves execution risk. Centene Earnings Call: Big EPS Beat, Cautious Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical/support dynamics noted by market write-ups. Chart commentators point to long-term support and recent momentum; useful for timing but not a fundamental driver. Stock Of The Day: Where Will The Centene Rally End?
• Negative Sentiment: Legislative risk — H.R. 8375 (Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026). The bill would require greater transparency, non?restrictive medical-necessity standards, real-time authorizations, automated payments, and stricter oversight of Medicare Advantage plans — measures that could limit utilization-management tools and raise compliance/operating costs for MAOs like Centene if enacted. New Bill: H.R. 8375 Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026

Centene Trading Up 8.8%

Centene stock opened at $53.94 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $38.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $39.35. Centene Corporation has a 52 week low of $25.08 and a 52 week high of $64.15. The stock has a market cap of $26.53 billion, a PE ratio of -3.96, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87.

Centene (NYSE:CNC) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The company reported $3.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.12 by $1.25. Centene had a negative net margin of 3.43% and a positive return on equity of 4.25%. The company had revenue of $49.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $47.58 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.90 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Centene Corporation will post 3.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Centene Profile

Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) is a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise that specializes in providing services to government-sponsored and national health programs. The company primarily acts as a managed care organization, delivering healthcare coverage and administering benefits for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare Advantage, and individual marketplace plans. Centene also contracts with federal and state agencies to manage specialty care programs and community-based services for vulnerable populations.

Centene’s offerings extend beyond traditional insurance to include a range of specialty and support services.