Centene Corporation (CNC)

Centene Corp.'s stock price has significantly declined in the past six months, with a 40.30% decrease over the last 12 months and a year-to-date return of -9.55% as of April 8, 2026. Key events impacting the stock include the withdrawal of 2025 guidance due to lower-than-expected enrollment growth and higher morbidity, elevated medical utilization and rising care costs, a reported loss of over $1 billion in Q4 2025, and a stock decline following its presentation at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference.

Centene Corporation experiences demand seasonality for its products and services, noting a return to "normal seasonality" in membership attrition for its ACA plans. The company expects earnings seasonality, with the majority of its EPS occurring in the first quarter, gradually decreasing throughout the year to a breakeven point in the third quarter, and a loss in the fourth quarter.

Centene Corporation is an American for-profit healthcare company operating as an intermediary for government-sponsored and privately insured healthcare programs. It is based in Clayton, Missouri, and operates in the Healthcare sector, focusing on Managed Healthcare, Health Insurance, and Healthcare Providers & Services. The company provides health coverage and related services to under-insured and uninsured individuals through Medicaid, ACA Health Insurance Marketplace (Ambetter), Medicare (WellCare, Allwell), Correctional Healthcare (Centurion), Commercial Insurance (QualChoice, Health Net), Behavioral Health (Magellan Health), and other services like clinical healthcare, pharmacies, vision, and dental services.

Centene Corporation has a significant market presence across all 50 states in the U.S. and also maintains operations in Europe.

Centene has received several recognitions for its performance and workplace culture, including rankings on the Fortune 500® and Global 500® lists, and being named one of Fortune® World's Most Admired Companies™ and Forbes® America's Best Employers for Company Culture™. However, Centene has also faced reputation-affecting events related to overcharging state Medicaid programs, including settlements with Massachusetts and proactive notification of overbilling in Florida.

Centene Corporation has substantial institutional ownership, with 924 institutional owners and shareholders holding 471,056,001 shares, representing approximately 82% of the company. Major institutional owners include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and State Street Corp. The largest individual shareholder is Michael F. Neidorff, owning 7.18 million shares, which is 1.46% of the company.