Centene Corp vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $65.66 (market cap $32.89B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $274.01 (market cap $193.70B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 5.9× Centene Corp's market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays a 2.72% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.89B | $193.70B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $26.17 | $262.80 |
Enterprise Value | $21.93B | $247.47B |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.72% |
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.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $274.15, down slightly by 0.12% on the day, with technical indicators showing a neutral overall signal. The company demonstrates strong fundamentals with consistent revenue growth, reaching $26.89 billion in 2025, and robust profitability with a 31.72% net income margin. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, and the company has announced a new global growth strategy focused on automation and menu innovation to drive future performance.
The outlook for MCD is positive, supported by strong analyst consensus with a $322.45 price target implying significant upside. Key opportunities include the successful execution of its new growth plan and its defensive qualities in a challenging economy. Primary risks involve inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and intense competition in the quick-service restaurant sector.
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 →McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →