Centene (NYSE:CNC) Updates FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Centene (NYSE:CNC) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 4.800- for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 4.890. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Centene Stock Performance

NYSE CNC opened at $66.05 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $32.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.33, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $65.53 and a 200 day moving average of $55.60. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Centene has a twelve month low of $31.63 and a twelve month high of $69.63.

Centene (NYSE:CNC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $2.51 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.09 by $1.42. Centene had a positive return on equity of 12.12% and a negative net margin of 2.51%.The business had revenue of $53.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $47.64 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned ($0.16) earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Centene will post 4.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Centene from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $53.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. HC Wainwright reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Centene in a research note on Friday, September 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Centene from $70.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on Centene from $58.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price target on Centene from $72.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, June 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $70.05.

Insider Activity

In related news, General Counsel Christopher Koster sold 56,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.90, for a total value of $3,779,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel owned 248,854 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,648,332.60. This trade represents a 18.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.37% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting Centene

Here are the key news stories impacting Centene this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Centene reaffirmed its 2026 adjusted earnings outlook at the Deutsche Bank Healthcare Summit. The company’s continued confidence in its forecast, following an earlier guidance improvement, supports the view that operating performance is stabilizing. Centene Reaffirms 2026 Adjusted Earnings Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary favors Centene over Oscar Health because of its more diversified market presence, cash generation and recent share-price strength, reinforcing the stock’s long-term growth case among ACA insurers. Oscar Health vs. Centene: Which ACA Insurer Is the Better Buy?
• Positive Sentiment: Centene appeared on Zacks’ list of Rank #1 “Strong Buy” growth stocks. Other research also highlighted CNC as a momentum and value candidate trading near a 52-week high, which may attract growth and value-oriented investors. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for September 16th
• Neutral Sentiment: Centene’s presentation at the Deutsche Bank Healthcare Summit gave investors additional management commentary, but the available transcript coverage did not identify a major new strategic announcement beyond the earnings outlook. Centene Corporation Presents at Deutsche Bank 2026 Healthcare Summit
• Negative Sentiment: The company’s stated 2026 EPS guidance of approximately $4.80 is below the consensus estimate of $4.89. Although guidance was reaffirmed, the gap could temper enthusiasm after the recent rally. Centene Reaffirms 2026 Earnings Guidance at Healthcare Summit
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst opinions on Centene remain mixed, creating uncertainty over whether the stock can sustain its advance toward the 52-week high despite favorable valuation and guidance commentary. Analysts’ Opinions Are Mixed on These Healthcare Stocks

About Centene

Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) is a managed-care company that provides health insurance and related healthcare services, primarily through government-sponsored programs. Its offerings include Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug plans, coverage for individuals and families through the health insurance marketplace, and health services for military families and veterans.

The company markets several healthcare brands, including Ambetter, which provides marketplace plans, and Wellcare, which offers Medicare products.