Centene Corp vs Halliburton Company — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.06 (market cap $33.93B), while Halliburton Company trades at $35.54 (market cap $29.59B). The key difference: Centene Corp and Halliburton Company are close in size by market cap, and Halliburton Company pays a 1.92% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | HAL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $29.59B |
Sector | Health | Energy |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $42.98 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $20.50 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $35.67B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.92% |
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.
Halliburton (HAL) trades at $35.21, up 2.38% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst consensus. Recent earnings beats and a major contract win offshore Suriname highlight operational strength, though net income declined in 2025. The stock shows solid profitability with a 6.95% net margin and 14.56% ROE, supported by positive cash flow trends into 2026.
The outlook remains positive given analyst targets near $44.78 and ongoing energy sector tailwinds, but risks include oil price volatility and execution challenges. Earnings growth and contract execution are key catalysts for further upside, balancing macroeconomic and competitive pressures.
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 →Halliburton is one of the three largest oilfield service firms in the world, offering superior expertise in a number of business lines, including completion fluids, wireline services, cementing, and countless others. It's the number one pressure pumper in North America, and has been a leading innovator in hydraulic fracturing over the last two decades.
Read more on HAL →