Centene Corporation (CNC)
NYSEHealth CareMedical - Healthcare PlansSnapshot 2026-11-05
$74.17-2.42%
Close 2026-11-05 · 1-day change
NYSEHealth CareMedical - Healthcare PlansSnapshot 2026-11-05
QuarterlyIQ Insights · CNC
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within health care on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-11-05.
The screen ranks CNC against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 1 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Health Care names rated strong grew net income 53% of the time over the next year (vs 42% for the rest of the cohort, n=10089).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Met or beat guidance 100% of the last 1 guided quarters · 19.1% avg surprise
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
• Consolidated HBR of 92.7% in the third quarter, better than expectations, driven by the Medicare segment, with Medicaid and Marketplace on track.
Stated in 3 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “• Consolidated HBR of 92.7% in the third quarter, better than expectations, driven by the Medicare segment, with Medicaid and Marketplace on track.” “• Full year 2026 HBR mid-point expectation improved by 15 basis points to 90.75%.”
“• Consolidated HBR of 92.7% in the third quarter, better than expectations, driven by the Medicare segment, with Medicaid and Marketplace on track.”
“• Medicaid HBR of 93.1%, reflecting continued tangible progress managing medical costs coupled with moderate flu.”
“London. "While much work remains ahead, our organization remains focused on driving margin improvement, delivering outcomes for our members, and positioning the business for long-term success."”
• Debt reduced by $1.1 billion since June 30, 2026, including full redemption of 2027 Senior Notes in October.
Stated in 2 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “• Debt reduced by $1.1 billion since June 30, 2026, including full redemption of 2027 Senior Notes in October.” “• $1.0 billion of debt reduction during the first quarter 2026.”
“• Debt reduced by $1.1 billion since June 30, 2026, including full redemption of 2027 Senior Notes in October.”
The Company is updating its 2026 GAAP diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $3.46 and its 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $5.20.
Stated in 3 of 8 supplied quarters. Management reported: “The Company is updating its 2026 GAAP diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $3.46 and its 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $5.20.” “The Company is updating its 2026 GAAP diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $2.37 and its 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $3.40.”
“The Company is updating its 2026 GAAP diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $3.46 and its 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $5.20.”
Improve margins across the core businesses while restoring the enterprise's earnings trajectory and Marketplace profitability.
Control administrative expense and maintain discipline in SG&A while leveraging the business's revenue base.
Over the trailing year it converted 0.44x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Health Care names rated fragile grew net income 34% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=2525).
Not enough signal yet.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the broad stock market, long-term interest rates, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity, the US dollar (low R² over the window).
23 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by M&A activity. Historically, Health Care names rated volatile grew net income 45% of the time over the next year (vs 45% for the rest of the cohort, n=10076).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-11-05.
“• $1.0 billion of debt reduction during the first quarter 2026.”
“The Company is updating its 2026 GAAP diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $2.37 and its 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance floor to greater than $3.40.”
“We expect full year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS to be greater than $3.00, marking important progress toward restoring the enterprise's embedded earnings power all while continuing to work to provide ac…”