Centene (CNC) Stock Analysis
This is a peer-relative look at Centene (CNC): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Health Care Equipment & Services peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.
Company Profile
| Profile Item | CNC |
|---|---|
| Name | Centene Corp. |
| Country/Region | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Health Care Equipment & Services |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Managed Health Care |
| Market Capitalization | 34.53 billion USD |
| Currency | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 13, 2001 |
| Security Type | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CNC | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 84.77% | 21.53% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -0.97% | 9.81% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -1.48% | -2.76% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CNC | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 46.34% | 50.93% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.07 | 0.85 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -74.07% | -70.34% |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CNC | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.74 | 0.34 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 2.71 | 0.54 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Centene (CNC) posts ROE of 6.74%, roughly around the peer group’s normal range. Shareholders’ equity is producing a return that looks broadly typical for the industry.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
6.74%
Group distribution
- Max
- 47.61%
- Q3
- 14.36%
- CNC
- 6.74%
- Median
- 5.45%
- Q1
- -10.67%
- Min
- -47.01%
Largest peers
- ISRG
- 17.93%
- SYK
- 16.02%
- UNH
- 15.77%
- MDT
- 10.65%
- ABT
- 9.14%
- CNC
- 6.74%
- MCK
- --
Net Margin (TTM)
Centene (CNC) keeps 0.81% of revenue as net profit, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal net margin range. Its full cost stack is taking a typical share of sales for the industry.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.81%
Group distribution
- Max
- 29.35%
- Q3
- 9.33%
- Median
- 2.18%
- CNC
- 0.81%
- Q1
- -6.29%
- Min
- -28.46%
Largest peers
- ISRG
- 25.54%
- MDT
- 13.93%
- SYK
- 13.78%
- ABT
- 9.75%
- UNH
- 3.53%
- MCK
- 1.12%
- CNC
- 0.81%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Centene (CNC) turns 0.74% of revenue into operating profit, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal operating margin range. Its core cost structure looks typical for the industry.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.74%
Group distribution
- Max
- 35.43%
- Q3
- 14.14%
- Median
- 6.81%
- CNC
- 0.74%
- Q1
- -0.28%
- Min
- -16.29%
Largest peers
- ISRG
- 33.29%
- SYK
- 22.96%
- MDT
- 19.33%
- ABT
- 11.66%
- UNH
- 5.82%
- MCK
- 1.48%
- CNC
- 0.74%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CNC | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 6.74% | 5.45% |
| ROA (TTM) | 2.68% | 3.17% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 0.81% | 2.18% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 0.74% | 6.81% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 11.34% | 55.21% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Centene (CNC) grew revenue 19.44%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Top-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.
EPS Growth
Centene (CNC) grew earnings per share -314.42%, below the industry benchmark range. Per-share profits are trailing virtually every peer, which can point to margin pressure, one-off charges, or dilution.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CNC | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 19.44% | 11.55% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 10.45% | 10.83% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -314.42% | 4.88% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 14.59% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Centene (CNC) has current ratio of 1.16, in the tighter-liquidity quartile for its industry. The short-term cushion is thinner than most peers carry, even if the absolute comfort level still depends on the business model.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
1.16
Group distribution
- Max
- 7.59
- Q3
- 4.00
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.37
- CNC
- 1.16
- Min
- 0.30
Largest peers
- ISRG
- 3.33
- SYK
- 2.18
- MDT
- 2.07
- ABT
- 1.46
- CNC
- 1.16
- MCK
- 0.90
- UNH
- 0.74
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Centene (CNC) has debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal leverage range. Its mix of debt and equity looks typical for the industry.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.70
Group distribution
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 0.91
- CNC
- 0.70
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.00
Largest peers
- UNH
- 0.70
- CNC
- 0.70
- SYK
- 0.66
- ABT
- 0.61
- MDT
- 0.55
- ISRG
- --
- MCK
- --
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CNC | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.16 | 1.98 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.70 | 0.58 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -1.71 | 2.04 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Centene (CNC) pays no dividend, leaving dividend yield at 0.00% this period. Shareholders may still receive value through reinvestment or buybacks, but there is no dividend income to compare here.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.00%
Group distribution
- CNC
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Largest peers
- MDT
- 2.72%
- UNH
- 2.29%
- ABT
- 2.22%
- SYK
- 1.05%
- MCK
- 0.32%
- CNC
- 0.00%
- ISRG
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Centene (CNC) paid no earnings out as dividends this period, leaving payout ratio at 0.00%. There is no dividend payout to size against earnings.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.00%
Group distribution
- CNC
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Largest peers
- ABT
- 92.54%
- MDT
- 70.02%
- UNH
- 51.71%
- SYK
- 37.49%
- MCK
- 8.77%
- CNC
- 0.00%
- ISRG
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CNC | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Centene (CNC) trades at P/E ratio of 23.97, near the industry’s usual earnings multiple. The stock is not showing a clear peer discount or premium on trailing earnings.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
23.97
Group distribution
- Max
- 80.41
- Q3
- 47.62
- Median
- 29.93
- CNC
- 23.97
- Q1
- 21.19
- Min
- 4.21
Largest peers
- ISRG
- 54.75
- ABT
- 41.02
- SYK
- 34.70
- MCK
- 27.36
- MDT
- 25.01
- CNC
- 23.97
- UNH
- 22.50
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Centene (CNC) trades at 0.19 on P/S ratio, in the lower sales-valuation quartile for its industry. That points to a cheaper revenue stream than most peers, with margin quality still doing the heavy lifting.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.19
Group distribution
- Max
- 8.80
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.10
- CNC
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.03
Largest peers
- ISRG
- 13.82
- SYK
- 4.72
- ABT
- 3.95
- MDT
- 3.47
- UNH
- 0.78
- MCK
- 0.29
- CNC
- 0.19
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Centene (CNC) trades at 1.55 on P/B ratio, in the lower book-value quartile for its industry. Investors are paying less for the balance-sheet equity than they pay for most peers, with returns on that equity still central to the read.
CNC
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
1.55
Group distribution
- Max
- 11.68
- Q3
- 6.12
- Median
- 3.00
- Q1
- 1.73
- CNC
- 1.55
- Min
- -1.31
Largest peers
- ISRG
- 9.82
- SYK
- 5.29
- ABT
- 3.73
- UNH
- 3.60
- MDT
- 2.59
- CNC
- 1.55
- MCK
- -30.85
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CNC | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 23.97 | 29.93 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 0.19 | 2.13 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 1.55 | 3.00 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 8.93% | 3.50% |