Centene Corp vs Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $65 (market cap $32.05B), while Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc trades at $326.59 (market cap $12.92B). The key difference: Centene Corp is far larger — about 2.5× Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc's market cap, and Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc pays a 1.68% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | HII | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.05B | $12.92B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $453.73 |
52-Week Low | $26.17 | $265.40 |
Enterprise Value | $21.10B | $15.84B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.68% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Centene (CNC) trades at $67.35, up 1.19% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. The stock has beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, including Q2 2026 EPS of $2.51 versus $1.09 expected, and shows robust cash flow trends with 2025 net cash flow of $3.94 billion. Recent news highlights margin recovery and raised 2026 guidance, reinforcing positive momentum.
The outlook remains favorable given valuation discounts (P/E of 8.06, P/S of 0.16) and analyst consensus price target of $71.00, though risks include negative net income margins and Medicaid membership volatility. Upside potential hinges on execution of cost controls and premium growth in government-sponsored health plans.
HII trades at $328.43, down 0.72% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 results, beating EPS estimates with $5.27 versus $3.79 expected, and revenue growth of 10.9%. Recent news includes a $2.2 billion contract award for surveillance and intelligence capabilities, enhancing its defense portfolio. Valuation ratios show a P/E of 19.53 and P/S of 0.98, indicating reasonable pricing relative to earnings and sales.
Outlook is positive due to contract wins and operational improvements, but risks include political headwinds and execution challenges. Analyst consensus price target is $359.67, suggesting 9.5% upside. Investment opportunity lies in margin expansion from submarine contracts, while monitoring defense budget volatility is key.
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 →Huntington Ingalls is the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S. and a provider of professional services to government and industry partners, specializing in nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers.
Read more on HII →