Centene Corp vs Kimberly Clark Corp — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $65.58 (market cap $32.89B), while Kimberly Clark Corp trades at $108.57 (market cap $36.48B). The key difference: Centene Corp and Kimberly Clark Corp are close in size by market cap, and Kimberly Clark Corp pays a 4.67% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | KMB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.89B | $36.48B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $134.81 |
52-Week Low | $26.17 | $93.05 |
Enterprise Value | $21.93B | $42.04B |
Dividend Yield | — | 4.67% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Centene (CNC) trades at $65.77, up 2.48% with a bullish technical signal. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations with EPS of $2.51 versus $1.09 estimate, driven by margin recovery and cost control. Revenue grew to $194.78B in 2025, though net income was negative at -$6.67B. Valuation ratios are attractive with P/E of 8.06 and P/S of 0.16. Analyst consensus is strongly bullish with 61.37% buy ratings and a $70.36 price target.
Outlook is positive due to raised 2026 guidance and operational improvements, but risks include Medicaid membership softness and persistent negative margins. The stock offers value potential if profitability rebounds as projected, though investors should monitor medical cost trends and regulatory changes affecting government healthcare programs.
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) trades at $109.68, up 0.94% with a bullish technical signal. The stock shows strong profitability with 11.79% net margin and 129.43% ROE, though Q2 2026 earnings missed estimates. Recent news highlights China market challenges and dividend stability. Current valuation metrics include P/E of 21.68 and P/S of 2.2, with analyst consensus price target of $113.20 suggesting modest upside potential from current levels.
KMB presents a balanced investment case with solid fundamentals offset by near-term headwinds. The company maintains strong brand positioning and dividend consistency, but faces execution risks from China market disruptions and consumer softness. Wall Street maintains cautious optimism with 61% hold ratings, indicating potential for gradual appreciation if operational challenges are managed effectively.
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 →With around half of sales from personal care and another third from tissue products, Kimberly-Clark sits as a leading manufacturer of tissue and hygiene realm. Its brand mix includes Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, and Cottonelle. The firm also operates K-C Professional, which partners with businesses to provide safety and sanitary products for the workplace. Kimberly-Clark generates just over of half its sales in North America and more than 10% in Europe, with the rest primarily concentrated in Asia and Latin America.
Read more on KMB →