CNC – Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation Monthly Stock Report – November 29, 2025

Company Overview

Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) is a leading healthcare enterprise based in Saint Louis, Missouri, focused on providing comprehensive programs and services for under-insured and uninsured families as well as commercial organizations across the United States. Operating within the Healthcare Plans industry, part of the broader Healthcare sector, Centene’s business model is segmented into four primary areas: Medicaid, Medicare, Commercial, and Others.

The company’s Medicaid segment serves needy families and individuals, offering essential health services to the aged, blind, disabled populations, and children through various health insurance programs. The Medicare segment focuses on special needs plans and prescription drug coverage, while the Commercial segment caters to health insurance products for diverse group sizes. The Other segment encompasses clinical healthcare and pharmacy services, including vision, dental, and behavioral health services.

Founded in 1984, Centene is committed to facilitating accessible healthcare solutions through a robust network of providers encompassing primary care physicians and hospitals. As of now, the company shows significant financial strength, reporting a total revenue of approximately $167.68 billion. However, median analyst recommendations indicate a cautious stance, with a hold rating reflecting the complexities of the current market environment.

52-Week Price Performance Analysis

Centene’s stock has navigated a tumultuous year, demonstrating a predominantly bearish trend. The stock peaked at a 52-week high of $66.81 and steeply declined to a low of $25.08 in August, epitomizing a significant downturn of about 34.50%. As of November 28, 2025, the stock price stands at $39.34, which is notably positioned mid-range within its yearly performance.

Technical Indicators:

• Current Price: $39.34
• 52-Week High: $66.81
• 52-Week Low: $25.08
• 50-Day Moving Average: $35.84
• Resistance Levels: $39.34 and $60.00
• Support Level: $25.08

In terms of price momentum, the 50-day moving average indicates a pivot from a downtrend as it flattens out and shows signs of an upward trend. This suggests a potential shift towards a stronger bullish trend, especially if the stock can break above resistance levels near $39.34 and $60.00. Analysts and investors should pay careful attention to further developments, as higher lows indicate building buying interest, but a clear breakout is necessary for a confirmed trend reversal.

Financial Performance and Metrics

Centene has maintained its operational efficiency despite recent challenges. Here are some key financial metrics:

• Total Revenue: $167.68 billion
• EBITDA: $3.9 billion
• Total Shares Outstanding: 491,518,000
• Current Short Interest: 15,235,571 shares (approximately 0.0355% of float)

The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $3.9 billion reflects the company’s effective cost management amid changing market dynamics. This operational efficiency could bolster future growth and profitability prospects. However, the stock’s potential upside maintains a cautious outlook with a target high price of $70.00 compared to a target low of $28.00 and a mean target of $39.94, showcasing both opportunity and risk for potential investors.

Recent News and Developments

Recent events have profoundly influenced Centene’s stock performance. Notably:

1. Guidance Withdrawal: On July 1, 2025, Centene withdrew its 2025 financial guidance after revealing lower-than-expected market growth and higher morbidity rates in its Health Insurance Marketplace business, resulting in a $1.8 billion reduction in net risk adjustment revenue. This led to an estimated adjusted diluted EPS impact of approximately $2.75. The stock subsequently plummeted by over 40%.

2. Class-Action Lawsuit: Following this, Centene faced a class-action lawsuit alleging misrepresentation of financial health and future prospects, which highlighted discrepancies between public statements and internal data.

3. Q2 Earnings Report: On July 25, 2025, a GAAP diluted loss per share of -0.51 was reported, prompting a significant 10% pre-market decline in stock price.

These events have triggered a wave of mixed reactions from investors, reflecting ongoing market volatility and a cautious outlook for Centene.

Market Sentiment and Analyst Recommendations

Current analyst sentiment regarding Centene showcases a cautious but moderate level of optimism. After analysis from a panel of 17 analysts, the consensus recommendation is to “hold,” with a recommendation mean score of 2.8. This indicates that while analysts recognize some upside potential, they urge caution amid prevailing uncertainties.

Key analyst views include:
– Cantor Fitzgerald maintained a Neutral rating with a price target of $38.00, expressing concern over planned rate increases in several states.
– Conversely, the average one-year price target has been revised upward by 13.57% to $42.26, suggesting a degree of hope for recovery.

As of November 28, 2025, the stock closed at $39.34, reflecting the ongoing complexities in the healthcare market and investor dispersal of sentiment.

Conclusion

Centene Corporation, a significant player in the healthcare industry, faces complexities marked by financial adjustments and legal challenges. Investors should be mindful of the stock’s mid-range positioning, potential resistance levels, and the mixed cautionary sentiments of analysts.

While the company’s strong revenue and operational efficiency offer grounds for optimism, the hold recommendation reflects the need for diligent monitoring of market conditions and company performance. Awareness of both opportunities and risks is crucial for investors as they navigate this evolving landscape.

Metric	Value
Market Cap	$19.4b
Total Debt	$17.6b
Total Cash	$19.2b
Shares Outstanding	491.5m
Float Shares	489.1m