Centene Corp vs MasterCard Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $64.5 (market cap $33.93B), while MasterCard Inc trades at $539.25 (market cap $475.39B). The key difference: MasterCard Inc is far larger — about 14× Centene Corp's market cap, and MasterCard Inc pays a 0.65% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | MA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $475.39B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $598.96 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $471.55 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $486.13B |
Volume | — | 4,635,698 |
Dividend Yield | — | 0.65% |
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.
Mastercard (MA) trades at $537.70, up 2.08% today, with a bullish technical outlook and strong fundamentals. The stock shows consistent earnings beats, with Q1 2026 EPS of $4.60 exceeding the $4.41 estimate. Revenue grew to $32.79B in 2025, and net income margin remains robust at 45.88%. Analysts maintain a strong buy consensus, with a price target of $634.27, indicating ~18% upside. Recent news highlights institutional accumulation and AI-driven payment innovations.
The outlook for MA is positive, driven by earnings momentum and strategic expansion into digital payments. Key risks include competitive disruption from stablecoins and regulatory scrutiny. With high profitability and institutional support, the stock presents a growth opportunity, though investors should monitor payment industry evolution and macroeconomic factors affecting consumer spending.
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 →Mastercard Incorporated provides financial transaction processing services. The Company offers payment processing services for credit and debit cards, electronic cash, automated teller machines, and travelers checks. Mastercard serves customers worldwide.
Read more on MA →