Centene (NYSE:CNC) Stock Price Target Raised at Cantor Fitzgerald

Centene (NYSE:CNC) had its price objective increased by Cantor Fitzgerald from $75.00 to $79.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an “overweight” rating on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald‘s price target would indicate a potential upside of 14.85% from the company’s current price.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on CNC. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Centene from $66.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley set a $66.00 price target on Centene in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Wall Street Zen raised Centene from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, July 18th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $80.00 price objective (up from $75.00) on shares of Centene in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Bank of America reissued a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 price objective (up from $80.00) on shares of Centene in a report on Wednesday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.90.

Centene Price Performance

NYSE:CNC opened at $68.79 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $33.98 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.59 and a beta of 1.13. Centene has a one year low of $31.63 and a one year high of $72.50. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $65.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $54.94.

Centene (NYSE:CNC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.10 by $0.48. The company had revenue of $50.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $47.12 billion. Centene’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.50 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Centene will post 4.89 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, General Counsel Christopher Koster sold 56,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.90, for a total transaction of $3,779,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 248,854 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,648,332.60. This trade represents a 18.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.37% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Centene

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CNC. Interchange Capital Partners LLC raised its position in Centene by 10.1% in the third quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,704 shares of the company’s stock worth $416,000 after purchasing an additional 616 shares in the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board lifted its stake in Centene by 92.1% during the third quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board now owns 44,218 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,747,000 after purchasing an additional 21,203 shares during the period. VestGen Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Centene by 12.8% during the third quarter. VestGen Advisors LLC now owns 19,672 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,222,000 after purchasing an additional 2,233 shares in the last quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR grew its stake in shares of Centene by 116.9% in the 3rd quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 11,632 shares of the company’s stock valued at $723,000 after purchasing an additional 6,270 shares during the period. Finally, SYM FINANCIAL Corp grew its stake in shares of Centene by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. SYM FINANCIAL Corp now owns 15,517 shares of the company’s stock valued at $964,000 after purchasing an additional 1,008 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.63% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Centene

Here are the key news stories impacting Centene this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings and revenue exceeded expectations. Centene reported third-quarter adjusted diluted EPS of $0.58 versus consensus estimates near $0.07–$0.10, while revenue reached $50.65 billion versus expectations of $47.12 billion. Adjusted results improved from $0.50 per share a year earlier, and the consolidated medical benefit ratio of 92.7% was better than anticipated. Centene Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised full-year guidance. Centene now expects 2026 adjusted diluted EPS above $5.20, a $0.40 increase, and GAAP diluted EPS above $3.46. Management also said its Medicare business is expected to reach breakeven a year ahead of schedule, supporting the faster earnings-recovery narrative. Centene Forecasts 2026 Adjusted EPS Greater Than $5.20
• Positive Sentiment: Medicare was the key operating bright spot. Medicare revenue reportedly increased 19.9%, and improved cost performance helped offset pressure elsewhere in the business. The results reinforce investor expectations that Centene’s turnaround and cost-control initiatives can lift profitability. Centene Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Medicare Strength
• Neutral Sentiment: Heavy put-option buying signals caution but is not proof of worsening fundamentals. Traders purchased 12,127 put options, approximately 72% above typical volume. This may reflect hedging or bearish speculation after the stock’s rally and ahead of earnings. Stock Traders Buy High Volume of Put Options on Centene
• Negative Sentiment: Membership declines remain an overhang. Medicaid membership fell, and Marketplace membership trends require monitoring. These declines could pressure premium growth and partially offset the Medicare turnaround if they persist.

Centene Company Profile

Centene Corporation is a diversified healthcare enterprise that provides government-sponsored and commercial health insurance programs and related healthcare services. The company’s offerings are primarily focused on Medicaid, Medicare, and health insurance marketplace plans, with an emphasis on serving individuals and families who may have limited access to traditional healthcare coverage.

Centene operates Medicaid health plans through state-based contracts and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug, and Medicare Supplement products through its Wellcare brand.