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Centene (CNC) Competitors

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$65.40 +1.34 (+2.09%)
Closing price 09/10/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$65.43 +0.03 (+0.05%)
As of 07:00 AM Eastern
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CNC vs. ELV, MOH, HUM, OSCR, and HQY

Should you buy Centene stock or one of its competitors? Centene's main competitors and comparable companies include Elevance Health (ELV), Molina Healthcare (MOH), Humana (HUM), Oscar Health (OSCR), and HealthEquity (HQY). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "managed healthcare" industry.

How does Centene compare to Elevance Health?

Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV) and Centene (NYSE:CNC) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, media sentiment, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends and profitability.

In the previous week, Elevance Health had 5 more articles in the media than Centene. MarketBeat recorded 28 mentions for Elevance Health and 23 mentions for Centene. Elevance Health's average media sentiment score of 1.35 beat Centene's score of 0.90 indicating that Elevance Health is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Elevance Health
21 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Centene
11 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
8 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

89.2% of Elevance Health shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.6% of Centene shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Elevance Health shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of Centene shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Elevance Health has higher revenue and earnings than Centene. Centene is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Elevance Health, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Elevance Health$199.13B0.45$5.66B$22.5018.51
Centene$194.78B0.17-$6.67B-$10.44N/A

Elevance Health currently has a consensus price target of $440.90, suggesting a potential upside of 5.84%. Centene has a consensus price target of $70.05, suggesting a potential upside of 7.12%. Given Centene's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Centene is more favorable than Elevance Health.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Elevance Health
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
15 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.65
Centene
2 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40

Elevance Health has a net margin of 2.47% compared to Centene's net margin of -2.51%. Elevance Health's return on equity of 14.64% beat Centene's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Elevance Health2.47% 14.64% 5.22%
Centene -2.51%12.12%3.20%

Elevance Health has a beta of 0.69, suggesting that its stock price is 31% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Centene has a beta of 1.1, suggesting that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Elevance Health beats Centene on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Centene compare to Molina Healthcare?

Centene (NYSE:CNC) and Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, media sentiment, risk, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Centene has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Molina Healthcare has a beta of 0.75, indicating that its stock price is 25% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Centene had 16 more articles in the media than Molina Healthcare. MarketBeat recorded 23 mentions for Centene and 7 mentions for Molina Healthcare. Centene's average media sentiment score of 0.90 beat Molina Healthcare's score of 0.74 indicating that Centene is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Centene
11 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
8 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Molina Healthcare
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Centene currently has a consensus price target of $70.05, suggesting a potential upside of 7.12%. Molina Healthcare has a consensus price target of $202.44, suggesting a potential upside of 0.97%. Given Centene's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Centene is more favorable than Molina Healthcare.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Centene
2 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
Molina Healthcare
2 Sell rating(s)
12 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.06

Molina Healthcare has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Centene. Molina Healthcare is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Centene, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Centene$194.78B0.17-$6.67B-$10.44N/A
Molina Healthcare$45.43B0.23$472M-$0.18N/A

93.6% of Centene shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.5% of Molina Healthcare shares are held by institutional investors. 0.4% of Centene shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.4% of Molina Healthcare shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Molina Healthcare has a net margin of -0.02% compared to Centene's net margin of -2.51%. Centene's return on equity of 12.12% beat Molina Healthcare's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Centene-2.51% 12.12% 3.20%
Molina Healthcare -0.02%3.73%0.97%

Summary

Centene beats Molina Healthcare on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Centene compare to Humana?

Centene (NYSE:CNC) and Humana (NYSE:HUM) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, risk, valuation, profitability, media sentiment and analyst recommendations.

In the previous week, Centene had 5 more articles in the media than Humana. MarketBeat recorded 23 mentions for Centene and 18 mentions for Humana. Humana's average media sentiment score of 1.13 beat Centene's score of 0.90 indicating that Humana is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Centene
11 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
8 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Humana
11 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Humana has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Centene. Centene is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Humana, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Centene$194.78B0.17-$6.67B-$10.44N/A
Humana$129.66B0.37$1.19B$10.5737.89

Centene has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Humana has a beta of 0.74, indicating that its stock price is 26% less volatile than the broader market.

Centene presently has a consensus price target of $70.05, indicating a potential upside of 7.12%. Humana has a consensus price target of $403.91, indicating a potential upside of 0.85%. Given Centene's higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Centene is more favorable than Humana.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Centene
2 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
Humana
1 Sell rating(s)
15 Hold rating(s)
14 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

Humana has a net margin of 0.88% compared to Centene's net margin of -2.51%. Centene's return on equity of 12.12% beat Humana's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Centene-2.51% 12.12% 3.20%
Humana 0.88%11.20%3.94%

93.6% of Centene shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.4% of Humana shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of Centene shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Humana shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Humana beats Centene on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Centene compare to Oscar Health?

Oscar Health (NYSE:OSCR) and Centene (NYSE:CNC) are both healthcare companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, dividends, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk and institutional ownership.

Oscar Health has a net margin of 3.60% compared to Centene's net margin of -2.51%. Oscar Health's return on equity of 38.45% beat Centene's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Oscar Health3.60% 38.45% 6.76%
Centene -2.51%12.12%3.20%

In the previous week, Centene had 6 more articles in the media than Oscar Health. MarketBeat recorded 23 mentions for Centene and 17 mentions for Oscar Health. Centene's average media sentiment score of 0.90 beat Oscar Health's score of 0.54 indicating that Centene is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Oscar Health
9 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Centene
11 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
8 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Oscar Health presently has a consensus price target of $26.22, indicating a potential downside of 19.40%. Centene has a consensus price target of $70.05, indicating a potential upside of 7.12%. Given Centene's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Centene is more favorable than Oscar Health.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Oscar Health
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.42
Centene
2 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40

Oscar Health has a beta of 2.37, indicating that its share price is 137% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Centene has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its share price is 10% more volatile than the broader market.

Oscar Health has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Centene. Centene is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Oscar Health, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Oscar Health$11.70B0.86-$443.15M$1.4023.24
Centene$194.78B0.17-$6.67B-$10.44N/A

75.7% of Oscar Health shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.6% of Centene shares are owned by institutional investors. 22.6% of Oscar Health shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of Centene shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Oscar Health beats Centene on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Centene compare to HealthEquity?

HealthEquity (NASDAQ:HQY) and Centene (NYSE:CNC) are both healthcare companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, media sentiment, risk, valuation and institutional ownership.

HealthEquity has a net margin of 17.36% compared to Centene's net margin of -2.51%. HealthEquity's return on equity of 15.33% beat Centene's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
HealthEquity17.36% 15.33% 9.51%
Centene -2.51%12.12%3.20%

HealthEquity currently has a consensus target price of $111.87, indicating a potential upside of 18.31%. Centene has a consensus target price of $70.05, indicating a potential upside of 7.12%. Given HealthEquity's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe HealthEquity is more favorable than Centene.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
HealthEquity
1 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
10 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.85
Centene
2 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40

99.6% of HealthEquity shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.6% of Centene shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.6% of HealthEquity shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of Centene shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Centene had 14 more articles in the media than HealthEquity. MarketBeat recorded 23 mentions for Centene and 9 mentions for HealthEquity. HealthEquity's average media sentiment score of 0.90 beat Centene's score of 0.90 indicating that HealthEquity is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
HealthEquity
6 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Centene
11 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
8 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

HealthEquity has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Centene. Centene is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than HealthEquity, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
HealthEquity$1.31B5.95$215.20M$2.7734.13
Centene$194.78B0.17-$6.67B-$10.44N/A

HealthEquity has a beta of 0.22, indicating that its stock price is 78% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Centene has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

HealthEquity beats Centene on 13 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding CNC and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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CNC vs. The Competition

MetricCenteneHealthcare Providers & Services IndustryHealthcare SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$31.65B$9.91B$7.21B$23.36B
Dividend YieldN/A2.60%2.56%3.78%
P/E Ratio-6.2633.79272.8428.46
Price / Sales0.175.03625.4120.61
Price / Cash13.67125.9277.3334.40
Price / Book1.605.2910.414.70
Net Income-$6.67B$313.25M$3.49B$1.07B
7 Day Performance-2.28%-1.37%-3.16%-2.42%
1 Month Performance0.78%-0.88%0.02%-2.95%
1 Year Performance91.50%13.48%17.33%8.84%

Centene Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
CNC
Centene
3.5344 of 5 stars
$65.40
+2.1%
$70.05
+7.1%
+109.0%$31.65B$194.78BN/A61,100
ELV
Elevance Health
4.3809 of 5 stars
$392.81
-0.4%
$440.90
+12.2%
+35.7%$85.19B$199.13B17.4697,100
MOH
Molina Healthcare
1.4518 of 5 stars
$198.43
-0.8%
$202.44
+2.0%
+12.0%$10.36B$44.52BN/A19,000
HUM
Humana
4.2633 of 5 stars
$384.25
-0.3%
$403.91
+5.1%
+46.5%$46.14B$129.66B36.3567,060
OSCR
Oscar Health
4.0333 of 5 stars
$30.00
-1.5%
$26.22
-12.6%
+67.2%$9.26B$11.70B21.432,305

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This page (NYSE:CNC) was last updated on 9/11/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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