Compare Centene Corp (CNC) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Centene Corp vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $65.58 (market cap $32.89B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $130.29 (market cap $323.00B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 9.8× Centene Corp's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.6% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.89B | $323.00B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $26.17 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $21.93B | $369.77B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.6% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
MRK trades at $130.90, up 1.81% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong institutional buying interest. The stock shows robust fundamentals with revenue of $65.01B in 2025 and net income of $18.25B, though a high P/E of 104.74 indicates premium valuation. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $139.90, offering ~7% upside, supported by 67.57% analyst buy ratings. Risks include integration challenges from acquisitions and patent expirations, but strong cash flow and dividend payments provide stability. Investors may find value in Merck's market leadership and pipeline expansion, though valuation metrics warrant caution.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Centene Corp
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 →About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent hepatitis B and pediatric diseases as well as HPV and shingles. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the firm's sales are generated in the United States.
Read more on MRK →
