CAVA Group Inc vs Centene Corp — how do they compare? CAVA Group Inc trades at $72.13 (market cap $8.15B), while Centene Corp trades at $67.3 (market cap $33.93B). The key difference: Centene Corp is far larger — about 4.2× CAVA Group Inc's market cap, and Centene Corp is trading nearer its 52-week high, CAVA Group Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAVA | CNC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.15B | $33.93B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $97.39 | $68.72 |
52-Week Low | $43.59 | $25.21 |
Enterprise Value | $8.25B | $26.56B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CAVA trades at $72.54, up 0.5% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong revenue growth and expansion momentum, but faces high valuation multiples and margin pressures. Recent news highlights aggressive store openings and technology investments driving traffic, though the stock has experienced volatility amid market fluctuations.
Outlook remains growth-focused with analyst consensus bullish, targeting $94.73, but risks include elevated P/E of 134.56, competitive pressures, and potential margin compression from expansion costs. The stock offers upside if execution continues, but requires careful monitoring of profitability trends.
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
CAVA is a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant brand in the US. It offers customizable bowls, salads, and pitas featuring healthy ingredients, while also selling its signature dips and dressings in grocery stores.
Read more on CAVA →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 →