CNC
Centene Corporation
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$27.31B
5Y Perf.-16.5%
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Stock Comparison
CNC vs CVS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CVS
CVS Health Corporation
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$111.32B
5Y Perf.+32.5%
CNC vs CVS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CNC | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Healthcare Plans | Medical - Healthcare Plans |
| Market Cap | $27.31B | $111.32B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $198.10B | $407.90B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-6.44B | $2.93B |
| Gross Margin | 14.9% | 13.9% |
| Operating Margin | -3.7% | 1.5% |
| Forward P/E | 16.4x | 12.1x |
| Total Debt | $18.78B | $93.59B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $17.89B | $8.51B |
CNC vs CVS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CNC
CVS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centene Corporation (CNC) | 100 | 83.5 | -16.5% |
| CVS Health Corporat… (CVS) | 100 | 132.5 | +32.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CNC vs CVS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CVS leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Centene Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CNC
Centene Corporation
The Insurance Pick
CNC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.39
- Rev growth 19.4%, EPS growth -315.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 10.5%
- 85.1% 10Y total return vs CVS's 3.9%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
CVS
CVS Health Corporation
The Insurance Pick
CVS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for defensive.
- Beta 0.05, yield 3.1%, current ratio 0.84x
- Combined ratio 1.0 vs CNC's 1.0 (lower = better underwriting)
- Beta 0.05 vs CNC's 0.39
Best for: defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CNC | 19.4% revenue growth vs CVS's 7.8% |
| Value | CNC | Better valuation composite |
| Quality / Margins | CVS | Combined ratio 1.0 vs CNC's 1.0 (lower = better underwriting) |
| Stability / Safety | CVS | Beta 0.05 vs CNC's 0.39 |
| Dividends | CVS | 3.1% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | CVS | +35.2% vs CNC's -7.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CVS | 1.1% ROA vs CNC's -7.9%, ROIC 5.0% vs -21.6% |
CNC vs CVS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
CNC vs CVS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCVSLAGGINGCNC
CNCCentene Corporation
2leads
CVSCVS Health Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CNCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CNC4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CVS5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CVS4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CVS2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
CNC1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — CNC and CVS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CVS is the larger business by revenue, generating $407.9B annually — 2.1x CNC's $198.1B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 0.7% (CVS) to -3.3% (CNC).
| Metric | CNCCentene Corporati… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $198.1B | $407.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$5.9B | $9.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$6.4B | $2.9B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $6.3B | $7.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +14.9% | +13.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -3.7% | +1.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -3.3% | +0.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.2% | +1.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.1% | +6.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +18.3% | +63.1% |
Evenly matched — CNC and CVS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CNC leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CNCCentene Corporati… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $27.3B | $111.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $28.2B | $196.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -4.06x | 62.49x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.40x | 12.13x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 13.10x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.14x | 0.28x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.35x | 1.46x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 6.32x | 14.26x |
CNC leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CVS leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CVS delivers a 3.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $4 in annual profit, vs $-29 for CNC. CNC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.94x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CVS's 1.24x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CNC scores 6/9 vs CVS's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | CNCCentene Corporati… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -28.6% | +3.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -7.9% | +1.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -21.6% | +5.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -14.6% | +6.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.94x | 1.24x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $889M | $85.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $17.9B | $8.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $18.8B | $93.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -9.03x | 4.19x |
CVS leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CVS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CVS five years ago would be worth $11,843 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,485 for CNC. Over the past 12 months, CVS leads with a +35.2% total return vs CNC's -7.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CVS at 10.8% vs CNC's -6.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CNCCentene Corporati… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +32.4% | +10.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -7.3% | +35.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -19.0% | +35.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -15.1% | +18.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +85.1% | +3.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -6.8% | +10.8% |
CVS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVS is the less volatile stock with a 0.05 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CNC's 0.39 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CVS currently trades 98.0% from its 52-week high vs CNC's 86.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CNCCentene Corporati… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.39x | 0.05x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $64.15 | $88.63 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $25.08 | $58.35 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +86.2% | +98.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 80.9 | 57.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 5.8M | 7.4M |
CVS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
CNC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CNC as "Buy" and CVS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 9.6% upside for CVS (target: $95) vs -7.8% for CNC (target: $51). CVS is the only dividend payer here at 3.08% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | CNCCentene Corporati… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $51.00 | $95.20 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 43 | 41 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +3.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $2.67 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.7% | 0.0% |
CNC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
CVS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). CNC leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Best OverallCVS Health Corporation (CVS)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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CNC vs CVS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CNC or CVS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Centene Corporation (CNC) is the stronger pick with 19.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 8% for CVS Health Corporation (CVS). CVS Health Corporation (CVS) offers the better valuation at 62. 5x trailing P/E (12. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Centene Corporation (CNC) a "Buy" — based on 43 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CNC or CVS?
On forward P/E, CVS Health Corporation is actually cheaper at 12.
1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CNC or CVS?
Over the past 5 years, CVS Health Corporation (CVS) delivered a total return of +18.
4%, compared to -15. 1% for Centene Corporation (CNC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CNC returned +85. 1% versus CVS's +3. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CNC or CVS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CVS Health Corporation (CVS) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
05β versus Centene Corporation's 0. 39β — meaning CNC is approximately 674% more volatile than CVS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Centene Corporation (CNC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 94% versus 124% for CVS Health Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CNC or CVS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Centene Corporation (CNC) is pulling ahead at 19.
4% versus 7. 8% for CVS Health Corporation (CVS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CVS Health Corporation grew EPS -62. 0% year-over-year, compared to -315. 8% for Centene Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, CNC leads at 10. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CNC or CVS?
CVS Health Corporation (CVS) is the more profitable company, earning 0.
4% net margin versus -3. 4% for Centene Corporation — meaning it keeps 0. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CVS leads at 2. 6% versus -3. 9% for CNC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CVS leads at 13. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CNC or CVS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, CVS Health Corporation (CVS) trades at 12.
1x forward P/E versus 16. 4x for Centene Corporation — 4. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CVS: 9. 6% to $95. 20.
08Which pays a better dividend — CNC or CVS?
In this comparison, CVS (3.
1% yield) pays a dividend. CNC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is CNC or CVS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CVS Health Corporation (CVS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
05), 3. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CVS: +3. 9%, CNC: +85. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CNC and CVS?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CNC is a mid-cap high-growth stock; CVS is a mid-cap income-oriented stock. CVS pays a dividend while CNC does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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