Autozone Inc vs Centene Corp — how do they compare? Autozone Inc trades at $3,019.81 (market cap $49.50B), while Centene Corp trades at $66.8 (market cap $33.93B). The key difference: Autozone Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Autozone Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, Centene Corp nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZO | CNC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $49.50B | $33.93B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $4.35K | $68.72 |
52-Week Low | $2.94K | $25.21 |
Enterprise Value | $61.88B | $26.56B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AutoZone (AZO) trades at $3,078.98, up 0.21% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages despite neutral oscillators. The company reported mixed recent earnings, beating in Q1 2026 but missing in Q3 2025, with revenue growing to $18.94B in 2025. Analyst sentiment remains strongly positive with a 72.73% buy rating and a consensus price target of $3,740, though recent news highlights stock volatility and competitive pressures.
The outlook for AZO is supported by solid fundamentals, including a 12.4% net income margin and aggressive share buybacks, but risks include slowing profit margin trends and bearish technical indicators. Upside potential exists if the company meets Q2 2026 EPS expectations of 54.51, though investors should monitor same-store sales growth and international expansion execution.
Centene Corporation (CNC) trades at $68.29, up 1.4% with strong technical momentum and bullish moving average signals. The stock shows impressive 66% YTD gains, supported by recent contract renewals and margin recovery initiatives. Despite negative 2025 net income of -$6.67B, valuation metrics remain attractive with P/E of 8.06 and P/S of 0.17. Analyst consensus is strongly bullish with 61% buy ratings and $66.07 price target.
Centene presents a compelling value opportunity with low valuation multiples and strong operational cash flow of $5.09B. Key risks include ongoing margin pressure and Medicaid contract dependency. The company's AI-driven cost controls and recent Illinois Medicaid renewal provide catalysts for earnings recovery, though healthcare regulatory changes remain a concern for long-term stability.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
AutoZone is the premier seller of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, and accessories to do-it-yourself customers in the United States. The company derives an increasing proportion of its sales from domestic commercial customers, although its presence in its home market is still dominated by its do-it-yourself operation, which accounts for nearly 75% of sales in country. AutoZone also has a growing presence in Mexico and Brazil. AutoZone had 6,767 stores in the U.S. (6,051), Mexico (664), and Brazil (52) as of the end of fiscal 2021.
Read more on AZO →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 →