Centene Corp vs Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $67 (market cap $32.05B), while Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc trades at $326.15 (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 $66.56, up 1.2% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $71.00. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $2.51 per share, beating estimates, and raised its full-year EPS guidance, reflecting margin recovery and cost discipline. Revenue growth remains robust, projected to reach $202.9 billion in 2026, though net income margins are negative due to elevated medical costs.
The stock presents a value opportunity with low P/E (8.06) and P/S (0.16) ratios, but investors face risks from Medicaid membership volatility and regulatory pressures. Analyst sentiment is strongly bullish (61% buy ratings), with institutional interest growing, as seen in recent fund additions. Near-term upside is likely if cost controls sustain profitability improvements.
HII trades at $324.38, down 1.94% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and strong earnings beats in recent quarters. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $5.27, exceeding expectations, and secured a $2.2 billion contract for surveillance capabilities (GlobeNewsWire, August 11, 2026). Valuation ratios include a P/E of 19.53 and P/S of 0.98, indicating reasonable pricing relative to earnings and sales.
Outlook remains positive due to contract wins and margin expansion, but risks include dependence on U.S. defense spending and competitive pressures. The consensus price target of $359.67 suggests upside potential, supported by 44% buy ratings from analysts.
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 →