CNC vs. MCK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CNC and MCK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CNC | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Centene Corporation | McKesson Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 17.55 billion USD | 95.16 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 13, 2001 | November 10, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CNC and MCK 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 | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.97% | 1.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -34.27% | 5.43% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -41.06% | 16.52% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -52.16% | 58.23% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 22.87% | 12.51% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -41.10% | 35.55% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.84M | 0.91M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 14.29M | 0.77M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 94.11% | 27.54% |
| Beta | 0.48 | 0.52 |
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.
MCK
39.43%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
MCK’s Return on Equity of 39.43% 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.
MCK
0.84%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, MCK’s Net Profit Margin of 0.84% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
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.
MCK
1.17%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
MCK’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.17% 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 | CNC | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 7.53% | 39.43% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.43% | 4.22% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.15% | 0.84% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.08% | 1.17% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.93% | 3.46% |
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.
MCK
0.88
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
MCK’s Current Ratio of 0.88 falls into the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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.
MCK
1.29
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.00
MCK’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Health Care Providers & Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.29. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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.
MCK
17.45
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -4.44
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 17.45, MCK demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CNC | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 0.88 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 0.48 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.64 | 1.29 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.06 | 17.45 |
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.
MCK
0.37%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MCK’s Dividend Yield of 0.37% 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.
MCK
11.16%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MCK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 11.16% 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 | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.37% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 11.16% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CNC
8.52
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 8.52 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
MCK
30.35
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
A P/E Ratio of 30.35 places MCK in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
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.
MCK
0.25
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, MCK’s P/S Ratio of 0.25 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)
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.
MCK
4.06
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
MCK’s P/B Ratio of 4.06 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CNC | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 8.52 | 30.35 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.99 | 4.06 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 5.93 | 10.28 |