Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc vs Centene Corp — how do they compare? Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc trades at $20.39 (market cap $863.95M), while Centene Corp trades at $65 (market cap $32.89B). The key difference: Centene Corp is far larger — about 38.1× Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc's market cap, and Centene Corp is trading nearer its 52-week high, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMPH | CNC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $863.95M | $32.89B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $30.81 | $68.72 |
52-Week Low | $16.87 | $25.25 |
Enterprise Value | $1.26B | $21.93B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AMPH trades at $20.78, up 4.9% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The stock shows mixed earnings performance with Q2 2026 beating estimates but Q1 and Q4 2025 missing. Fundamentals remain solid with a 10.76% net margin and reasonable valuation at 12.02 P/E. Recent news highlights Q2 2026 results and strategic shift toward proprietary drugs.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with growth supported by new product launches, though regulatory risks and earnings volatility pose challenges. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 25% buy ratings but majority hold recommendations. The stock offers value but requires monitoring of FDA developments and earnings consistency.
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
Amphastar is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops and markets injectable, intranasal, and inhalation products. Its portfolio includes both complex generic drugs and proprietary delivery systems.
Read more on AMPH →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 →