Centene Corp vs Kraft Heinz Co — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.08 (market cap $32.05B), while Kraft Heinz Co trades at $24.28 (market cap $29.23B). The key difference: Centene Corp and Kraft Heinz Co are close in size by market cap, and Kraft Heinz Co pays a 6.49% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | KHC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.05B | $29.23B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $28.06 |
52-Week Low | $26.17 | $21.21 |
Enterprise Value | $21.10B | $45.55B |
Dividend Yield | — | 6.49% |
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.
Kraft Heinz (KHC) trades at $24.93, down 1.54% on the day, with a bearish technical signal and mixed fundamentals. The company reported three consecutive quarterly earnings beats but faces profitability challenges with a negative net income margin of -13.64% and ROE of -8.78%. Recent news highlights CEO Steve Cahillane's turnaround strategy with increased marketing investments, while analysts remain cautious with only 11.43% buy ratings.
The stock presents a value opportunity with attractive valuation ratios (P/E 13.04, P/B 0.81) and 6.4% dividend yield, but significant risks include ongoing earnings erosion, competitive pressures, and high debt levels. The consensus price target of $24.00 suggests limited upside from current levels, requiring careful monitoring of the company's execution on its growth strategy.
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 →In July 2015, Kraft merged with Heinz to create the third-largest food and beverage manufacturer in North America behind PepsiCo and Nestle and the fifth-largest player in the world. Beyond its namesake brands, the combined firm's portfolio includes Oscar Mayer, Velveeta, and Philadelphia. Outside North America, the firm's global reach includes a distribution network in Europe and emerging markets that drive around one fifth of its consolidated sales base, as its products are sold in more than 190 countries and territories.
Read more on KHC →