Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC Grows Stock Position in Centene Co. (NYSE:CNC)

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Centene Co. (NYSE:CNC - Free Report) by 122.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 91,015 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 50,066 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC's holdings in Centene were worth $5,514,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC grew its stake in shares of Centene by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 124,601 shares of the company's stock valued at $7,548,000 after purchasing an additional 2,690 shares during the period. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ purchased a new position in shares of Centene in the fourth quarter worth approximately $325,000. Alpha Wealth Funds LLC bought a new stake in Centene during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $272,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new stake in Centene during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,988,000. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in Centene by 32.1% in the fourth quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 5,486 shares of the company's stock worth $332,000 after acquiring an additional 1,334 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.63% of the company's stock.

Centene Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CNC traded down $0.39 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $54.98. 3,945,303 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,875,297. The company's 50 day moving average is $60.29 and its 200 day moving average is $60.17. Centene Co. has a one year low of $54.01 and a one year high of $80.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.36 billion, a PE ratio of 8.81, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.10.

Centene (NYSE:CNC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 25th. The company reported $2.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.52 by $0.38. Centene had a net margin of 2.03% and a return on equity of 13.85%. The business had revenue of $46.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $43.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.26 earnings per share. Centene's quarterly revenue was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Centene Co. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CNC has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Argus downgraded shares of Centene from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on Centene from $71.00 to $69.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Centene from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Barclays reiterated an "equal weight" rating and set a $65.00 price objective (down from $84.00) on shares of Centene in a research note on Monday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Centene from $76.00 to $72.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Centene currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $78.31.

Centene Company Profile

Centene Corporation operates as a healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to under-insured and uninsured families, commercial organizations, and military families in the United States. The company operates through Medicaid, Medicare, Commercial, and Other segments. The Medicaid segment offers health plan coverage, including medicaid expansion, aged, blind, disabled, children's health insurance program, foster care, medicare-medicaid plans, long-term services and support.