Centene Corp vs Unilever plc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.02 (market cap $33.93B), while Unilever plc trades at $60.35 (market cap $129.73B). The key difference: Unilever plc is far larger — about 3.8× Centene Corp's market cap, and Unilever plc pays a 3.75% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | UL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $129.73B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $74.59 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $55.05 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $155.17B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.75% |
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.
Unilever (UL) trades at $61.48, down 0.39% on the day, with a bullish technical signal driven by moving averages. The company reported $60.76B in 2024 revenue but missed Q1 and Q2 2025 EPS estimates. Recent news highlights strategic moves including a potential bid for Thorne and a $270M innovation center investment. The stock shows strong profitability with a 18.75% net margin and 53.32% ROE, though valuation ratios like P/E of 20.84 suggest fair pricing amid mixed analyst sentiment.
Outlook remains cautious with near-term earnings misses offset by long-term growth initiatives. Investment appeal hinges on successful integration of acquisitions and margin improvement. Key risks include competitive pressures and macroeconomic volatility. Analysts are divided with 24% buy ratings, reflecting balanced risk-reward at current levels.
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 →Unilever is a diversified personal product (42% of 2021 sales by value), home care (20%), and packaged food (38%) company. Its brands include Knorr soups and sauces, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Lipton teas, Axe and Dove skin products, and the TRESemme haircare brand. The firm has been acquisitive in recent years
Read more on UL →