Centene Corp vs Humana Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.23 (market cap $33.93B), while Humana Inc trades at $399 (market cap $48.84B). The key difference: Humana Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Humana Inc pays a 0.87% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | HUM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $48.84B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $409.42 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $163.67 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $57.88B |
Dividend Yield | — | 0.87% |
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.
Humana (HUM) trades at $406.00, up 3.51% with strong technical bullish signals and recent earnings beats. The stock shows robust revenue growth reaching $129.66 billion in 2025, though net margins have compressed to 0.82%. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 32% buy ratings but a consensus price target of $354.33 below current levels. Recent developments include Medicare Advantage margin targets and Illinois Medicaid contract wins.
The outlook remains cautious despite operational strengths. While CenterWell expansion and margin recovery plans offer upside, current valuation at 43x P/E appears stretched relative to earnings growth. Key risks include regulatory scrutiny, healthcare utilization costs, and ongoing insider trading investigations that could pressure shareholder returns.
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 →Humana is one of the largest private health insurers in the U.S. with a focus on administering Medicare Advantage plans. The firm has built a niche specializing in government-sponsored programs, with nearly all its medical membership stemming from individual and group Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and the military's Tricare program. The firm is also a leader in stand-alone prescription drug plans for seniors enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. Humana offers employer-based plans primarily for small businesses along with specialty insurance offerings such as dental, vision, and life. Beyond medical insurance, the company provides other healthcare services, including primary-care services, at-home services, and pharmacy benefit management.
Read more on HUM →