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Upturn AI Summary - About
Centene Corp(CNC)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CNC
10/29/2026: CNC (5-star) is a STRONG-BUY. BUY for 11 days. Simulated Profits (-2.68%). Updated daily EoD!
Centene Corp is a major provider of government-sponsored health insurance, specializing in Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA Marketplace programs. Its strength lies in its extensive scale and expertise in navigating complex, state-regulated healthcare markets. The company's primary growth story centers on improving operational efficiency through its Value Creation Plan while leveraging its strong position in Medicaid. Investors face risks regarding government policy shifts, reimbursement volatility, and intense competition from larger, more diversified healthcare entities. Centene is likely best suited for value-oriented investors who are comfortable with regulatory risk and seeking exposure to the public health insurance market, with monitoring of margin trends being essential.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | Centene focuses on stable government-program growth rather than high-growth innovation. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | The stock tends to trade based on policy cycles and regulatory updates rather than pure market momentum. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The company often trades at modest valuation multiples relative to the broader healthcare sector. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | Centene does not pay a cash dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | The business model is stable due to government funding, but highly sensitive to regulatory risk. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium / high | The stock is sensitive to political headlines regarding healthcare reform. |
| Valuation risk | Low | Historically trading at reasonable multiples, the stock faces less valuation contraction risk. |
| Competition risk (managed care) | High | Large diversified players like UNH and ELV compete aggressively for state contracts. |
| Business quality | Medium | The business relies heavily on government reimbursement rates. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | Lack of dividend payments removes income as a stabilizer for total return. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successfully managing medical costs within fixed premiums is operationally complex. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Choppy
The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 26.63% | Avg. Invested days 40 | Today’s Advisory Strong Buy |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  3.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/29/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 33.19B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 23.61 | 1Y Target Price 73.5 |
Price to earnings Ratio 23.61 | 1Y Target Price 73.5 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 4.9M shares | Beta 1.13 | 52 Weeks Range 31.63 - 72.50 | Updated Date 10/28/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 31.63 - 72.50 | Updated Date 10/28/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.84 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid | Managed care premiums from state contracts for low-income individuals. | The core revenue driver, reliant on state-level contracts and enrollment. |
| Medicare | Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. | A significant segment serving seniors, heavily impacted by regulatory reimbursement updates. |
| Marketplace | Health insurance plans sold via ACA exchanges. | A high-growth segment sensitive to ACA enrollment trends and premium subsidies. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-10-27 | When Before Market | Estimate 0.07 | Actual 0.58 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 0.73% | Operating Margin (TTM) -0.61% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 1.47% | Return on Equity (TTM) 6.74% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 23.61 | Forward PE 12.42 | Enterprise Value 25.97B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.17 |
Enterprise Value 25.97B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.17 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.13 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 6.87 | Shares Outstanding 495.07M | Shares Floating 464.68M |
Shares Outstanding 495.07M | Shares Floating 464.68M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.39 | Percent Institutions 101.93 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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