Price movement over the last 24 hours
Alcon AG vs Centene Corp — how do they compare? Alcon AG trades at $66.92 (market cap $32.69B), while Centene Corp trades at $67.67 (market cap $32.65B). The key difference: Alcon AG and Centene Corp are close in size by market cap, and Alcon AG pays a 0.54% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALC | CNC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.69B | $32.65B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $92.22 | $68.34 |
52-Week Low | $62.02 | $25.21 |
Enterprise Value | $36.28B | $25.28B |
Dividend Yield | 0.54% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALC trades at $66.87, down 4.01% on the day, amid a mixed technical and fundamental backdrop. The stock exhibits a bullish technical signal overall, with moving averages supporting a positive trend, while oscillators remain neutral. Fundamentally, revenue growth is steady, reaching $10.40 billion in 2025, though net income margin compressed to 7.7%. Recent news highlights product innovation, including a collaboration with RxSight for adjustable PCIOLs, signaling ongoing R&D investment. Analyst sentiment is predominantly positive, with a consensus price target of $86.00 implying significant upside.
The outlook for ALC is cautiously optimistic, driven by new product launches and strategic partnerships that may fuel growth. However, risks include competitive pressures, macroeconomic headwinds, and margin compression. With a P/E of 40.92, the valuation appears rich relative to historical norms, requiring strong earnings delivery to justify current levels. Investors should weigh robust analyst buy ratings against execution risks and market volatility.
Centene (CNC) trades at $66.12, down 2.56% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages despite recent weakness. The stock shows attractive valuation ratios (P/E 8.06, P/S 0.16) but faces profitability challenges with negative net income margin (-3.25%) and ROE (-26.12%). Recent earnings beats and strong analyst support (62.79% buy ratings) contrast with operational headwinds in Medicaid margins and cost pressures.
Investment outlook balances deep value against execution risks. The consensus price target of $63.29 suggests limited upside, but improving cash flow trends and AI-driven cost initiatives could support recovery. Key risks include regulatory changes, adverse selection in insurance pools, and margin sustainability amid healthcare sector volatility.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Alcon, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the global eyecare leader with a diverse portfolio in ophthalmology including contact lenses, eye drops, surgical equipment, and related surgical products. Novartis purchased Alcon from Nestle in 2010 and, following nine years as a Novartis subsidiary, the company was spun off as a public company in April 2019. The company reports five distinct segments: implantables (16% of revenue), consumables (31%), equipment (9%), contact lenses (27%), and ocular health (17%). The company is geographically diversified, with only about 40% of revenue from the U.S. market, and the firm has a strong presence in the European Union and Japan.
Read more on ALC →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 →