Autozone Inc vs Centene Corp — how do they compare? Autozone Inc trades at $3,042 (market cap $50.09B), while Centene Corp trades at $65.61 (market cap $32.89B). The key difference: Autozone Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Centene Corp is trading nearer its 52-week high, Autozone Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZO | CNC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $50.09B | $32.89B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $4.35K | $68.72 |
52-Week Low | $2.92K | $25.25 |
Enterprise Value | $62.46B | $21.93B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AutoZone (AZO) trades at $3,127.29, up 1.88% recently, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. Revenue grew to $18.94B in 2025, though net income margin dipped to 13.19%. The company maintains robust cash flow from operations and recently authorized a $1.5B stock buyback, signaling confidence. Key resistance lies near $3,160, with support at $3,063.
Outlook remains positive with 73% analyst buy ratings and a $3,730 consensus price target, implying ~19% upside. Risks include margin pressure from rising costs and competitive threats. Earnings beats in recent quarters support growth, but investors should monitor execution on international expansion and capex efficiency.
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
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 →