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 $66.8 (market cap $33.93B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.55 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 8.8× Centene Corp's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.82% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $298.31B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.82% |
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 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.
Merck (MRK) trades at $124.03, up 0.4% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong institutional interest. Recent earnings beats and a 67.57% analyst buy rating support momentum. The company's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals, announced on April 7, 2026, aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, while a dividend of $0.85 per share is scheduled for July 2026.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $137.30, though risks include rising debt levels and competitive pressures. Revenue growth is steady, but net income is projected to decline in 2026, highlighting execution challenges amid strategic expansions.
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 →
