CNC vs. HCA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CNC and HCA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CNC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Centene Corporation | HCA Healthcare, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 18.49 billion USD | 101.45 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 13, 2001 | March 10, 2011 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CNC and HCA 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 | CNC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.49% | 1.72% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 13.89% | 14.40% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -37.73% | 25.40% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -47.75% | 10.47% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.49% | 1.72% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -37.87% | 44.44% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.74M | 1.03M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 14.59M | 1.36M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 50.53% | 22.70% |
| Beta | 0.48 | 1.38 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
HCA
695.73%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
HCA’s Return on Equity of 695.73% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
HCA
8.21%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
A Net Profit Margin of 8.21% places HCA in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
HCA
15.24%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.24% places HCA in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CNC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 7.53% | 695.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.43% | 10.02% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.15% | 8.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.08% | 15.24% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.93% | 84.79% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
HCA
0.98
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
HCA’s Current Ratio of 0.98 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)
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.
HCA
125.80
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 125.80, HCA operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Health Care Providers & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
HCA
5.18
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -4.44
HCA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.18 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 | CNC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 0.98 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 0.86 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.64 | 125.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.06 | 5.18 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
HCA
0.67%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HCA’s Dividend Yield of 0.67% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
HCA
11.47%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HCA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 11.47% is within the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CNC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.67% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 11.47% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CNC
9.10
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 9.10 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
HCA
17.02
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
HCA’s P/E Ratio of 17.02 is within the middle range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CNC
0.10
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 0.10 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.
HCA
1.40
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
HCA’s P/S Ratio of 1.40 aligns with the market consensus for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
HCA
256.92
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
At 256.92, HCA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CNC | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 9.10 | 17.02 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.10 | 1.40 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.99 | 256.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 6.33 | 13.93 |