Centene (NYSE:CNC) Posts Earnings Results

Centene (NYSE:CNC) posted its earnings results on Monday. The company reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.10 by $0.48, FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of $50.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $47.12 billion. Centene had a negative net margin of 2.51% and a positive return on equity of 12.12%.

Centene Price Performance

Centene stock opened at $67.84 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $65.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.51 billion, a PE ratio of -6.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Centene has a 12-month low of $31.63 and a 12-month high of $72.50.

Key Headlines Impacting Centene

Here are the key news stories impacting Centene this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Centene reported third-quarter adjusted diluted EPS of $0.58, well above the $0.10 analyst consensus, while revenue reached $50.65 billion versus expectations of $47.12 billion. Centene Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance by $0.40 to more than $5.20 and increased GAAP diluted EPS guidance to more than $3.46. The consolidated medical benefit ratio was 92.7%, better than expected, with Medicare driving the improvement while Medicaid and Marketplace remained on track. Centene Lifts 2026 Guidance Amid Medicare Cost Controls
• Neutral Sentiment: The quarter still produced a $71 million GAAP net loss, or $0.14 per share, although this was a substantial improvement from the $6.63 billion loss reported a year earlier. Centene also continued to report a negative net margin, meaning investors may focus on the quality and sustainability of earnings improvements.
• Negative Sentiment: Trading had already become cautious before the report following a significant rally, with investors questioning whether earnings and guidance could justify the stock’s elevated valuation near its 52-week high. Centene Slides Ahead of Third-Quarter Results as Investors Turn Cautious
• Negative Sentiment: Unusually heavy put-option buying indicated increased short-term hedging or bearish speculation: 12,127 puts traded, 72% above typical volume. Recent insider activity also consisted of sales rather than purchases, adding to investor caution.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on CNC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Centene from $60.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. TD Cowen reissued a “hold” rating and set a $65.00 price objective (up from $47.00) on shares of Centene in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Argus upgraded Centene from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $80.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. UBS Group set a $79.00 price objective on Centene in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th. Finally, HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Centene in a report on Friday, September 11th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $70.05.

Insider Activity at Centene

In related news, General Counsel Christopher Koster sold 56,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.90, for a total transaction of $3,779,850.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 248,854 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,648,332.60. This represents a 18.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.37% of the company’s stock.

Centene Company Profile

Centene Corporation is a diversified healthcare enterprise that provides government-sponsored and commercial health insurance programs and related healthcare services. The company’s offerings are primarily focused on Medicaid, Medicare, and health insurance marketplace plans, with an emphasis on serving individuals and families who may have limited access to traditional healthcare coverage.

Centene operates Medicaid health plans through state-based contracts and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug, and Medicare Supplement products through its Wellcare brand.