Centene CorporationNYSE: CNC
Health Care · Managed Health Care
$61.22
-3.44%
Vol: 1.4M
Research Digest
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
No significant overnight updates
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysJun 15No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Jun 14No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 21Centene refreshed executive leadership and raised 2026 EPS outlook to above $3.40 amid Q1 beatPositive▶
Centene on May 12, 2026 confirmed an executive officer slate including Daniel Finke as Group President of Medicaid and Marketplace and Michael Carson as Group President of Medicare and Specialty under CEO Sarah London. The company raised its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to greater than $3.40 after Q1 EPS of $3.37 substantially beat consensus near $2.13-$2.23. Shares surged 6% to $59.31 on May 12 amid healthcare sector recovery. Recent analyst actions include TD Cowen raising the price target to $48 and BofA upgrading to Buy. The stock outperformed 77% of all stocks and trades near its 52-week high. Risk: medical cost pressures and ongoing margin concerns in government-sponsored health programs remain key.
May 20Centene confirmed leadership team May 12, raises FY26 EPS guidance above $3.40 after Q1 beat.Positive▶
Centene's board on May 12, 2026 confirmed Sarah London as CEO, Drew Asher as CFO, Daniel Finke as Group President of Medicaid and Marketplace, and Michael Carson as Group President of Medicare and Specialty, formalizing leadership amid higher medical costs and federal policy shifts. Q1 2026 results (reported April 28) showed GAAP diluted EPS of $3.11 and adjusted diluted EPS of $3.37, beating prior management views by $0.50. The company raised 2026 GAAP EPS guidance to greater than $2.37 and adjusted EPS to greater than $3.40. TD Cowen raised its price target to $48 from $38 on May 4 (Hold). Superior HealthPlan launched a Texas behavioral health quality recognition program in early May. Analyst average rating across 16 analysts is "Buy."
May 19Centene names full executive officer slate on May 12 8-K, including Sarah London as CEO and Drew Asher as CFO; shares surge 6% to $59.31Positive▶
On May 12, 2026, Centene's board affirmed its executive officer roster, including Sarah London as CEO, Drew Asher as CFO, Daniel Finke leading Medicaid and Marketplace, Michael Carson leading Medicare and Specialty, Susan Smith as COO, and Christopher Koster as General Counsel. Shares jumped 6.0% to $59.31 the same day amid a healthcare-sector recovery. Q1 2026 reported revenue of about $46.3 billion and adjusted diluted EPS of $2.90, with management subsequently raising FY2026 adjusted EPS guidance to greater than $3.40. On May 5, Superior HealthPlan designated three Texas providers as Mental Health Rehabilitation and Targeted Case Management Centers of Excellence. TD Cowen raised its CNC price target to $48 from $38 on May 4 while maintaining Hold. Risk: medical-cost trend remains the dominant variable for the managed-care thesis even as guidance moves up.
May 18Centene shares surged 6% to $59.31 on May 12 as board confirmed refreshed leadership and TD Cowen raised PT to $48 from $38Positive▶
Centene Corp shares surged 6.0% to $59.31 on May 12 amid healthcare sector recovery. The board confirmed a refreshed senior leadership roster including CEO Sarah London, CFO Drew Asher, COO Susan Smith, plus new Group Presidents Daniel Finke (Medicaid/Marketplace) and Michael Carson (Medicare/Specialty). Shareholders at the annual meeting re-elected nine directors, approved executive compensation, ratified KPMG as auditor, and rejected an independent board chair proposal. TD Cowen raised PT to $48 from $38 (reaffirming Hold). The stock has surged over 56% in a month, with a 52-week range of $25.08-$62.21. Earlier Q1 results showed adjusted EPS of $3.37 and raised 2026 GAAP EPS guidance to >$3.40.
May 15Centene shares surge 6% to $59.31 on May 12 amid sector recovery; TD Cowen lifts price target to $48Positive▶
Centene shares jumped 6.0% to $59.31 on May 12, 2026, extending a 29.1% rally since April 24 as health insurer results have outperformed. TD Cowen raised its CNC price target to $48 from $38 (Hold) on May 4. On May 5, Centene's Superior HealthPlan subsidiary designated three Texas providers as Mental Health Rehabilitation and Targeted Case Management Centers of Excellence. Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $3.37 came in $0.50 better than management's prior view, prompting raised 2026 premium revenue guidance of $171B-$175B and adjusted EPS guidance above $3.40. The company also cited stronger-than-expected ACA marketplace retention. According to 16 analysts the average rating is Buy with a $47.5 12-month target. Sentiment has flipped positive after a difficult start to the year.
May 14Centene shares jump 6% to $59.31 on May 12 as Q1 EPS of $3.37 crushes estimate and 2026 guidance raisedPositive▶
Centene shares surged 6% to $59.31 on May 12, extending a 29% rally since April 24. Q1 2026 results delivered total revenue of $49.9B, GAAP EPS of $3.11 (vs. $2.63 prior year), and adjusted EPS of $3.37 vs. $2.08 estimate. The company raised 2026 guidance with premium and service revenue at $171.0-$175.0B and adjusted EPS floor lifted above $3.40, driven by better-than-expected ACA marketplace retention. TD Cowen raised its PT to $48 from $38, maintaining Hold. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded to Overweight from Neutral. Stock up 34.5% YTD, outperforming the medical sector.
May 13Centene shares jumped ~29% since April 24 after Q1 2026 adj EPS of $3.37 crushed $2.08 consensus and 2026 guidance was raised.Positive▶
Centene posted Q1 2026 GAAP EPS of $3.11 and adjusted EPS of $3.37, well above $2.08 consensus, on $49.9B revenue. The company raised 2026 guidance, lifting premium/service revenue range to $171-175B and adjusted EPS floor above $3.40 from prior >$3.00. Better-than-expected ACA marketplace retention was a focal point of the call. The stock surged ~29% since insurers' earnings season kicked off April 24, trading near $59.31 on May 13. TD Cowen raised its target to $48 on May 4 while Wells Fargo and Mizuho maintained Hold. Superior HealthPlan designated three Texas Mental Health Centers of Excellence on May 5. Risk is Medicaid redetermination and ACA subsidy expiration headlines.
May 12Centene shares jumped after Q1 2026 EPS of $3.37 beat estimates by 62% and the insurer raised 2026 guidance, with the stock up about 29% since April 24.Positive▶
Centene reported Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $3.37 versus $2.08 consensus, with total revenue of $49.9 billion and premium and service revenue of $44.7 billion, up 5% year-over-year. Management lifted 2026 guidance, increasing premium and service revenue expectations to $171.0-$175.0 billion and floors for GAAP EPS above $2.37 and adjusted EPS above $3.40. Better-than-expected ACA marketplace membership retention was a key driver, alongside cost controls. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded the shares to Overweight with a $60 target while TD Cowen raised its target to $48. Year-to-date the stock is up roughly 34.5%, sharply outperforming the medical sector. Risk: average analyst 12-month target sits near $47.5.
May 11Centene surges 29% on Q1 beat with $3.37 adj EPS and lifted 2026 guidancePositive▶
Centene Corporation reported Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $3.37, beating the $2.08 estimate by 62%, on total revenues of $49.9 billion and premium and service revenues of $44.7 billion (up 5% YoY). The stock rose 29.1% since April 24, when health insurer earnings season kicked off. Centene raised 2026 guidance, lifting premium and service revenue expectations to $171-$175 billion and setting floors for GAAP EPS above $2.37 and adjusted EPS above $3.40. Strong Medicaid margin improvement and Medicare Advantage outperformance drove the beat. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded to Overweight with a $60 price target while TD Cowen raised its target to $48 keeping Hold. Year-to-date the stock is up 34.5%.
May 8Centene Corp raised 2026 EPS guidance above $3.40 on May 8, following strong Q1 2026 earnings beat of $3.37 vs. consensus $2.08.Positive▶
Centene reported exceptional Q1 2026 results with adjusted diluted EPS of $3.37, beating consensus of $2.08 by 62%. Total revenues reached $49.9 billion with premium and service revenues up 5% YoY to $44.7 billion. The company raised full-year 2026 guidance with premium and service revenue of $171.0-$175.0 billion and adjusted EPS floor above $3.40. Stock surged 29.1% since April 24 earnings season kickoff. TD Cowen raised price target to $48 from $38 on May 2, and B of A Securities upgraded to Buy. Superior HealthPlan (CNC subsidiary) designated Texas providers as Mental Health Centers of Excellence on May 5.
May 7Q1 2026 EPS of $1.54 drove 14.6% stock increase; despite losing 2 million ACA customers, company raised full-year guidance.Positive▶
Centene Corporation reported strong Q1 2026 results with net income of $1.54 billion on $49.94 billion in revenue, driving a 14.6% stock increase. Despite losing 2 million ACA marketplace customers and navigating declining ACA membership, the company raised full-year guidance, demonstrating operational resilience. New executive leadership structure was announced in early April 2026. The company is the largest Medicaid managed care organization and longest-running Health Insurance Marketplace carrier.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNHUNITEDHEALTH | $408.67 | -0.58% | +5.1% | 19.7x | 0.65 | $373.3B |
| ELVELEVANCE | $397.94 | -0.98% | +2.0% | 13.7x | 0.68 | $87.3B |
| HUMHUMANA | $377.00 | -0.86% | +24.3% | 24.2x | 0.77 | $45.7B |
| CNCCENTENE | $61.22 | -3.44% | +8.9% | 14.2x | 1.09 | $31.3B |
| MOHMOLINA | $202.82 | +0.47% | +9.2% | 21.8x | 0.80 | $10.5B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price above both MAs — bullish structure.