Centene Corp vs e l f Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $67.3 (market cap $33.93B), while e l f Beauty Inc trades at $72.8 (market cap $4.26B). The key difference: Centene Corp is far larger — about 8× e l f Beauty Inc's market cap, and Centene Corp is trading nearer its 52-week high, e l f Beauty Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | ELF | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $4.26B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $146.67 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $49.57 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $4.89B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
ELF Beauty trades at $75.10, down 2.15% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong revenue of $1.31 billion in 2025 and has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights brand expansion and a 32% stock jump in June 2026, though growth is transitioning as the core brand softens.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is evenly split between Buy and Hold, with a $74.42 price target near the current price. Upside potential exists from skincare and international expansion, but risks include cost pressures, tariff exposure, and the need to sustain double-digit sales growth amid competitive dynamics.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →e.l.f. Beauty is a leading cosmetics company offering high-quality, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free products. It is known for its affordable and prestige-quality makeup and skincare items for a diverse global audience.
Read more on ELF →