Centene Corp vs Marqeta Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.33 (market cap $32.89B), while Marqeta Inc trades at $15.52 (market cap $1.62B). The key difference: Centene Corp is far larger — about 20.3× Marqeta Inc's market cap, and Centene Corp is trading nearer its 52-week high, Marqeta Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | MQ | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.89B | $1.62B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $26.00 |
52-Week Low | $26.17 | $15.04 |
Enterprise Value | $21.93B | $939.53M |
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.
Marqeta (MQ) trades at $15.96, down 4.37% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. The company reported Q2 2026 earnings with a beat on EPS and 17% net revenue growth, marking its second consecutive quarter of GAAP profitability. Recent partnerships with Google and Riskified highlight strategic expansion. However, valuation ratios remain elevated with a P/E of 177.28, and net income margin is thin at 1.53%.
The outlook is mixed; analyst consensus is a Buy with a $19.00 price target, implying upside, but execution on growth initiatives like stablecoin cards and European expansion is key. Risks include high valuation sensitivity and competitive pressures in fintech. Positive cash flow trends and recent profitability improvements provide a foundation for cautious optimism.
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 →Headquartered in Oakland, California, and founded in 2010, Marqeta provides its clients with a card-issuing platform that offers the infrastructure and tools necessary to offer digital, physical, and tokenized payment options without the need for a traditional bank. The company's open APIs are designed to allow third parties like DoorDash, Klarna, and Block to rapidly develop and deploy innovative card-based products and payment services without the need to develop the underlying technology. The company generates revenue primarily through processing and ATM fees for cards issued on its platform.
Read more on MQ →