AFLAC Incorporated vs Centene Corp — how do they compare? AFLAC Incorporated trades at $122.08 (market cap $61.13B), while Centene Corp trades at $65.58 (market cap $32.89B). The key difference: AFLAC Incorporated is the larger of the two by market cap, and AFLAC Incorporated pays a 2% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AFL | CNC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $61.13B | $32.89B |
Sector | Financials | Health |
52-Week High | $129.55 | $68.72 |
52-Week Low | $103.55 | $26.17 |
Enterprise Value | $71.08B | $21.93B |
Dividend Yield | 2% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aflac (AFL) trades at $124.61, down 1.62% with recent earnings misses and bearish technical signals. The stock shows mixed fundamentals with a P/E of 13.44 and net income margin of 26.79%, though revenue declined to $17.36B in 2025. Recent news highlights Japan unit challenges and dividend reliability, with the company maintaining 43 consecutive years of dividend increases.
Outlook remains cautious with analyst consensus at Hold (56.24%) and price target of $117.60 below current levels. Key risks include foreign exchange headwinds and competitive pressures, while the dividend yield and strong cash flow provide support for income-focused investors amid near-term volatility.
Centene (CNC) trades at $65.77, up 2.48% with a bullish technical signal. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations with EPS of $2.51 versus $1.09 estimate, driven by margin recovery and cost control. Revenue grew to $194.78B in 2025, though net income was negative at -$6.67B. Valuation ratios are attractive with P/E of 8.06 and P/S of 0.16. Analyst consensus is strongly bullish with 61.37% buy ratings and a $70.36 price target.
Outlook is positive due to raised 2026 guidance and operational improvements, but risks include Medicaid membership softness and persistent negative margins. The stock offers value potential if profitability rebounds as projected, though investors should monitor medical cost trends and regulatory changes affecting government healthcare programs.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Aflac Inc offers supplemental health insurance and life insurance in the two largest insurance markets in the world, the U.S. and Japan. In addition to its cancer policies, the company has broadened its product offerings to include accidents, disability, and long-term-care insurance. It markets its products through independent distributors, selling most of its policies directly to consumers at their places of work.
Read more on AFL →Centene is a managed-care organization focused on government-sponsored healthcare plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the individual exchanges. Centene served 22 million medical members as of September 2021, mostly in Medicaid (68% of membership), the individual exchanges (10%), Medicare Advantage (6%), and the balance in Tricare (West region), correctional facility, and international plans. The company also serves 4 million users through the Medicare Part D pharmaceutical program.
Read more on CNC →