BAX vs. CNC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BAX and CNC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BAX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Baxter International Inc. | Centene Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 12.25 billion USD | 19.01 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 27, 1981 | December 13, 2001 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BAX and CNC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 6.61% | 9.91% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -23.06% | 16.18% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -30.30% | -36.25% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -33.67% | -46.71% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.79% | 8.46% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -18.18% | -36.12% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.39M | 11.35M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.38M | 14.49M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 54.45% | 50.29% |
| Beta | 0.62 | 0.47 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BAX
-2.12%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.93%
- Q3
- 16.99%
- Median
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 5.10%
- Min
- -12.52%
BAX has a negative Return on Equity of -2.12%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
CNC
7.53%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
CNC’s Return on Equity of 7.53% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BAX
-1.42%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.41%
- Q3
- 13.71%
- Median
- 10.08%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -5.58%
BAX has a negative Net Profit Margin of -1.42%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
CNC
1.15%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
CNC’s Net Profit Margin of 1.15% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BAX
-0.28%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 18.11%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 8.48%
- Min
- -0.28%
BAX has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.28%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
CNC
1.08%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
CNC’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.08% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -2.12% | 7.53% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -0.65% | 2.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -1.42% | 1.15% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.28% | 1.08% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.01% | 8.93% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BAX
2.30
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 5.19
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- 0.86
BAX’s Current Ratio of 2.30 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
CNC
1.10
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
CNC’s Current Ratio of 1.10 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BAX
1.30
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.61
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
BAX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.30. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
CNC
0.64
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.00
CNC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 is typical for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BAX
0.20
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 56.35
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.60
- Q1
- 3.78
- Min
- -26.49
BAX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.20 is a critical concern. A value below 1.0 means operating earnings are insufficient to cover interest expenses, indicating severe financial strain and high default risk.
CNC
7.06
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -4.44
CNC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.30 | 1.10 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.20 | 1.10 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 0.20 | 7.06 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BAX
3.80%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.15%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.80%, BAX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BAX
90.20%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 66.60%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BAX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 90.20% is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.80% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 90.20% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BAX
--
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.29
- Q3
- 47.01
- Median
- 30.94
- Q1
- 23.91
- Min
- 10.79
P/E Ratio data for BAX is currently unavailable.
CNC
9.13
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CNC’s P/E Ratio of 9.13 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BAX
1.13
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 0.74
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, BAX’s P/S Ratio of 1.13 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
CNC
0.11
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CNC’s P/S Ratio of 0.11 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BAX
2.12
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 6.56
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 2.36
- Min
- 0.71
BAX’s P/B Ratio of 2.12 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
CNC
0.99
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
CNC’s P/B Ratio of 0.99 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BAX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 9.13 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.13 | 0.11 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.12 | 0.99 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.57 | 6.35 |