Centene (NYSE:CNC) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $1.43 EPS

Centene (NYSE:CNC) posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday. The company reported $2.51 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $1.43, FiscalAI reports. Centene had a negative net margin of 3.25% and a positive return on equity of 5.57%. The company had revenue of $53.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $47.64 billion.

Centene Stock Up 0.8%

Centene stock opened at $63.94 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $31.57 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.87, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. Centene has a fifty-two week low of $25.08 and a fifty-two week high of $69.36. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $63.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $49.85.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on shares of Centene from $48.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Centene from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, June 8th. Bank of America upped their price target on Centene from $72.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, June 4th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Centene in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Centene from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Centene currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $64.61.

Key Headlines Impacting Centene

Here are the key news stories impacting Centene this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Centene reported second-quarter revenue of $53.58 billion, well above the $47.64 billion analyst consensus. Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.51, compared with expectations of $1.08, while GAAP diluted EPS was $2.19. Centene Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised 2026 guidance to adjusted EPS above $4.80, versus the approximately $3.49 consensus estimate, and projected revenue of $193.5 billion to $197.5 billion, ahead of the $190.5 billion consensus. GAAP EPS guidance was raised to above $3.11. Centene Raises 2026 Outlook on Profit, Revenue Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Operating trends improved meaningfully: the health benefits ratio declined to 89.6% from 93.0% a year earlier, while commercial HBR fell to 79.2%. Management also cited stronger performance in Medicare Advantage and prescription-drug plans, supporting the improved outlook. Centene Reports $53.6 Billion in Second Quarter Revenue
• Positive Sentiment: Centene generated $3.6 billion in operating cash flow during the quarter, adding support for balance-sheet flexibility and ongoing operations.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centene

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CNC. DV Equities LLC purchased a new position in Centene during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Centene during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. McMillan Office Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Centene during the fourth quarter worth about $49,000. Intesa Sanpaolo Wealth Management acquired a new position in Centene in the 4th quarter valued at about $60,000. Finally, BOKF NA purchased a new stake in Centene during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $69,000. 93.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Centene

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.