Centene Corp vs 22nd Century Group Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.47 (market cap $33.93B), while 22nd Century Group Inc trades at $4.4 (market cap $1.45M). The key difference: Centene Corp is far larger — about 23400× 22nd Century Group Inc's market cap. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | XXII | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $1.45M |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $1.47K |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $3.90 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | -$6.78M |
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.
XXII trades at $4.10, down 3.07% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company shows severe financial distress with a negative gross profit margin of -52.19% and net income margin of -65.76% for 2025. Recent news highlights expansion of VLN reduced-nicotine cigarettes in California and New York, aiming to capture market share. A 20:1 reverse stock split occurred on June 12, 2026, to adjust share structure.
The outlook remains high-risk due to persistent losses and cash burn, though analyst consensus is 75% buy-rated. Investment opportunity hinges on successful commercialization of VLN products and FDA regulatory renewals. Key risks include execution challenges, intense competition, and reliance on financing to sustain operations amid negative cash flow from operations.
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 →22nd Century Group is a plant biotechnology company that uses genetic engineering and gene editing to control the levels of nicotine in tobacco plants. Its flagship product line, VLN®, is the first and only combustible cigarette authorized by the FDA as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP), containing 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes to help adult smokers smoke less.
Read more on XXII →