Centene Corp vs Altria Group Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.07 (market cap $33.93B), while Altria Group Inc trades at $70.38 (market cap $117.16B). The key difference: Altria Group Inc is far larger — about 3.5× Centene Corp's market cap, and Altria Group Inc pays a 6.04% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | MO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $117.16B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $74.55 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $54.72 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $138.23B |
Dividend Yield | — | 6.04% |
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.
MO trades at $71.87, up 0.14% today, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. The company reported a net income margin of 39.52% for 2025, with recent earnings beating expectations in Q1 2026. Strong cash flow from operations of $9.29B supports its dividend, with a recent $1.06 payment declared. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $71.00 price target.
Outlook remains stable with defensive qualities highlighted by media, but risks include high debt levels and regulatory pressures. The stock offers a high yield and pricing power, though revenue trends show slight volatility. Investment appeal centers on dividend sustainability and cash flow generation amid a challenging industry backdrop.
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 →Altria comprises Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, John Middleton, Helix Innovations, and Philip Morris Capital, although the company plans to wind down Philip Morris Capital by the end of 2022. It holds a 10% interest in the world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev. Through its tobacco subsidiaries, Altria holds the leading position in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the United States and the number-two spot in machine-made cigars. The company's Marlboro brand is the leading cigarette brand in the U.S. with a 43% share in 2020. Altria holds strategic investments in JUUL Labs (35% economic interest) and Cronos (42%).
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