Centene Corp vs Marqeta Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.06 (market cap $33.93B), while Marqeta Inc trades at $16.21 (market cap $1.70B). The key difference: Centene Corp is far larger — about 20× 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 | $33.93B | $1.70B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $27.32 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $15.04 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $999.94M |
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.
Marqeta (MQ) trades at $16.43, up 3.53% with a bullish technical signal. The company reported mixed quarterly earnings, beating in Q1 2026 but missing in Q4 2025, with revenue growth from $507M in 2024 to $625M in 2025. A recent 1-for-4 reverse stock split took effect on July 1, 2026. Cash flow improved to a net positive $86M in 2025. Analyst consensus is a $19 price target with 32% buy ratings.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic given earnings volatility and high valuation multiples. Opportunities include European expansion and credit product growth, but risks involve thin net margins and potential fiduciary duty lawsuits. The stock's upside depends on sustained profitability and execution of strategic initiatives.
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 →