Centene Corp vs UnitedHealth Group Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $65 (market cap $32.05B), while UnitedHealth Group Inc trades at $404.95 (market cap $361.00B). The key difference: UnitedHealth Group Inc is far larger — about 11.3× Centene Corp's market cap, and UnitedHealth Group Inc pays a 2.31% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | UNH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.05B | $361.00B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $436.35 |
52-Week Low | $26.17 | $259.02 |
Enterprise Value | $21.10B | $402.86B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.31% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Centene (CNC) trades at $67.35, up 1.19% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. The stock has beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, including Q2 2026 EPS of $2.51 versus $1.09 expected, and shows robust cash flow trends with 2025 net cash flow of $3.94 billion. Recent news highlights margin recovery and raised 2026 guidance, reinforcing positive momentum.
The outlook remains favorable given valuation discounts (P/E of 8.06, P/S of 0.16) and analyst consensus price target of $71.00, though risks include negative net income margins and Medicaid membership volatility. Upside potential hinges on execution of cost controls and premium growth in government-sponsored health plans.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) trades at $408.74, showing modest daily gains of 0.41% amid a bearish technical signal. The company demonstrates strong fundamental performance with consistent earnings beats in recent quarters and robust analyst support (82.7% buy ratings). Recent developments include dividend payments and strategic initiatives to streamline pediatric care authorizations, positioning UNH well in the healthcare sector.
UNH presents a compelling investment case with strong cash flow generation and market leadership, though investors face risks from regulatory scrutiny and margin compression. The stock trades at a discount to analyst consensus target of $476.50, offering potential upside if operational improvements and growth initiatives materialize as projected.
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 →UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest private health insurers, providing medical benefits to 50 million members globally, including 5 million outside the U.S. at the end of 2021. As a leader in employer-sponsored, self-directed, and government-backed insurance plans, UnitedHealth has obtained massive scale in managed care. Along with its insurance assets, UnitedHealth's continued investments in its Optum franchises have created a healthcare services colossus that spans everything from medical and pharmaceutical benefits to providing outpatient care and analytics to both affiliated and third-party customers.
Read more on UNH →