Centene Corp vs Verizon Communications Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.05 (market cap $33.93B), while Verizon Communications Inc trades at $42.94 (market cap $177.34B). The key difference: Verizon Communications Inc is far larger — about 5.2× Centene Corp's market cap, and Verizon Communications Inc pays a 6.66% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | VZ | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $177.34B |
Sector | Health | Media |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $51.38 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $38.40 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $364.84B |
Volume | — | 22,584,735 |
Dividend Yield | — | 6.66% |
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.
Verizon (VZ) trades at $42.68, up 1.33% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but recent earnings beats. The stock offers a 6.7% dividend yield with a consensus price target of $47.57, indicating 11.5% upside. Revenue grew to $138.19B in 2025, with a net income margin of 12.46%, while debt levels remain elevated at $144B total debt. Recent news highlights competitive threats from SpaceX's Starlink but also new partnerships like the 5G deal with BMW.
Outlook: VZ presents a value opportunity with a low P/E of 10.4 and strong cash flow, but faces significant competitive and debt-related risks. The stock is suitable for income-focused investors seeking defensive yield, though growth is constrained by industry saturation and rising capital expenditures.
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 →Verizon Communications Inc. is an integrated telecommunications company that provides wire line voice and data services, wireless services, Internet services, and published directory information. The Company also provides network services for the federal government including business phone lines, data services, telecommunications equipment, and payphones.
Read more on VZ →