Centene Corporation ($CNC) Stock Forecast: Up 5.3% Today

What is Centene Corporation?

Centene Corporation (CNC) is a healthcare enterprise offering government-sponsored programs. Today, CNC experienced a strong bullish movement in the stock market.

Why is Centene Corporation going up?

CNC stock is up 5.3% on Feb 10, 2026 19:40

• CNC stock surged due to the positive outlook provided in the company's 2025 results and 2026 guidance, with expectations of exceeding $3.00 in adjusted diluted EPS.
• The market responded favorably to Centene's efforts to restore its earnings power, despite reporting a GAAP diluted loss per share in 2025.
• The bearish movement in Humana stock hitting a 52-week low may have indirectly benefited CNC, as investors potentially shifted focus to Centene's growth potential within the healthcare sector.
• The overall positive sentiment towards CNC was reinforced by Morgan Stanley's "Hold" rating, with a price target of $38.00, indicating confidence in the company's future performance.

CNC Price Chart

CNC Technical Analysis

CNC News

Humana stock hits 52-week low at $185.98

Humana Inc. stock reached a 52-week low of $185.98, reflecting a significant -27.98% decline over the past year due to broader industry pressures and company-specific hurdles. Despite challenges, the company maintains a 1.87% dividend yield and has sustained dividend payments for 15 consecutive years. Investors are closely watching its upcoming Q4 2025 earnings report and navigating mixed analyst ratings, with some viewing it as undervalued while others express concerns over policy risks and Medicare Advantage payment rate changes.

https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/humana-stock-hits-52week-low-at-18598-93CH-4497625

CMS to crack down on ACA plan marketing, tighten income verifications

CMS has proposed new 2027 benefit and payment parameters for ACA health insurance marketplaces, aiming to curb healthcare fraud, misleading marketing, and tighten income verification rules. The proposed rule would prohibit practices like offering cash incentives and using AI-generated endorsements, and expand income verification for low-income consumers while aligning with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It also introduces changes to plan design, allowing for easier enrollment in catastrophic plans and giving issuers more flexibility.

https://www.techtarget.com/healthcarepayers/news/366638994/CMS-to-crack-down-on-ACA-plan-marketing-tighten-income-verifications

Candriam S.C.A. Trims Stake in Elevance Health, Inc. $ELV

Candriam S.C.A. reduced its stake in Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV) by 27% in Q3 2025, selling 18,211 shares, though its remaining 49,258 shares are valued at $15.9 million. Elevance Health reported strong Q3 earnings, beating analyst EPS estimates, and increased its quarterly dividend. The company maintains a "Moderate Buy" consensus rating from analysts.

https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/filing-candriam-sca-trims-stake-in-elevance-health-inc-elv-2026-02-10/

Morgan Stanley Maintains a Hold on Centene Corporation (CNC)

Morgan Stanley has maintained a "Hold" rating for Centene Corporation (CNC), setting a price target of $38.00. This comes after Centene announced its 2025 results, reporting a GAAP diluted loss per share of $13.53 and an adjusted diluted EPS of $2.08, but projecting adjusted diluted EPS greater than $3.00 for 2026. The company is working towards restoring its embedded earnings power as a healthcare enterprise offering government-sponsored programs.

https://finviz.com/news/305311/morgan-stanley-maintains-a-hold-on-centene-corporation-cnc

Morgan Stanley Maintains a Hold on Centene Corporation (CNC)

Morgan Stanley reaffirmed a "Hold" rating on Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) with a price target of $38.00, following the company's announcement of its 2025 results and 2026 guidance. Centene reported a 2025 GAAP diluted loss per share of $13.53 but adjusted diluted EPS of $2.08, and expects 2026 adjusted diluted EPS to exceed $3.00, indicating progress in restoring earnings power. Despite acknowledging Centene's growth potential, the article suggests other AI stocks hold greater promise for higher returns and lower risk.

https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/morgan-stanley-maintains-a-hold-on-centene-corporation-cnc-1692116/?amp=1

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Centene Corporation Price History

02.00.2026 - CNC Stock was up 2.3%

• CNC stock witnessed a positive development as Ninety One UK Ltd acquired a new stake in the company, indicating confidence in its future performance.
• The stock's consistent upward trajectory and favorable analyst outlook suggest a reevaluation of risk and a period of accumulation among investors, contributing to its bullish trend.
• CNC's strong Q3 earnings performance, revenue growth, and its exposure to government healthcare initiatives are key drivers of investor confidence and the stock's upward momentum.
• The cautious optimism demonstrated by Wall Street analysts, alongside Centene's strategic portfolio enhancements, are additional factors supporting the bullish momentum of the stock.

05.00.2026 - CNC Stock was up 2.7%

• Upgraded from "Equal-Weight" to "Overweight" by Barclays with a higher price target, suggesting potential margin improvements in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange business.
• Barclays' upgrade, along with optimism regarding CNC's premium increases and competitive positioning, likely drove investor confidence and influenced the bullish market activity.
• Despite prior hurdles, Centene's financial health was rated as "GREAT" by InvestingPro, adding to positive market sentiment.
• The increased investment in Molina Healthcare (MOH) by Merit Financial Group LLC and positive developments in other healthcare companies such as Elevance Health, Inc. may have also contributed to the favorable outlook in the healthcare sector, further boosting CNC's upward movement.

06.01.2026 - CNC Stock was down 8.7%

• Centene's stock faced a bearish movement attributed to a mix of financial results for Q4 and full-year 2025, surpassing revenue expectations.
• A Q4 loss of $1.1 billion and notable decreases in adjusted EBITDA and operating margin influenced the negative market response.
• Despite favorable 2026 guidance and beating profit predictions, concerns arose regarding the conversion of adjusted earnings into sustainable GAAP profitability.
• The market sentiment was influenced by a higher consolidated health benefits ratio, especially in Centene's Commercial segment, outweighing the positive revenue performance.

06.01.2026 - CNC Stock was down 6.1%

• In Q4 CY2025, Centene Corporation exceeded revenue projections, but despite this positive performance, the company experienced a substantial loss for the entire year due to increased medical expenses and reductions in Medicaid funding.
• The reported $6.6 billion loss by Centene, coupled with a goodwill impairment charge, contributed to a downward trend in the stock market.
• Despite a favorable 2026 profit outlook that surpassed expectations on Wall Street, the market responded unfavorably to Centene's mixed financial outcomes for 2025.
• Investors appeared disappointed by the company's challenge in translating adjusted earnings into sustainable GAAP profitability, resulting in a notable decline in the stock's value.

27.00.2026 - CNC Stock was down 7.3%

• Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC and Simplicity Wealth LLC significantly reduced their positions in Elevance Health, Inc. ($ELV) in Q3.
• UnitedHealth Group's promise to return all Obamacare profits in 2026 is seen as a move to pressure competitors like Centene, potentially affecting CNC's market position and profitability.
• Investment House LLC's purchase of shares in Elevance Health demonstrates institutional interest in the healthcare sector, diverting attention from companies like Centene.
• Baird's analysis of UnitedHealth Group's ACA rebate suggests potential challenges for companies like Centene, impacting CNC's market movement today due to reliance on ACA exchange profitability.

27.00.2026 - CNC Stock was down 11.2%

• CNC stock saw a significant drop following the announcement of minimal payment rate increases for Medicare Advantage in 2027 by federal regulators, which was below market expectations. This news had a pronounced impact on Centene due to its heavy reliance on government health programs and complex patient demographics.
• Concerns in the sector were exacerbated by challenges faced by UnitedHealth Group, illustrated by higher medical care ratios and a reduced revenue outlook, further contributing to negative investor sentiment towards healthcare insurers.
• The proposal by the Trump administration to maintain flat Medicare Advantage rates for 2027 directly affected CNC and other insurers, resulting in a sharp decline in stock values due to heightened worries about profitability.
• UnitedHealth Group's decision to repatriate profits from Obamacare in 2026 was viewed as a strategic maneuver to increase pressure on competitors like Centene and Molina, contributing to the overall market volatility in the healthcare industry.

27.00.2026 - CNC Stock was down 10.9%

• Centene (CNC) stock dropped as federal regulators revealed a minimal payment increase for Medicare Advantage in 2027, significantly lower than anticipated by the market.
• Concerns about tighter margins and uncertainty regarding regulations prompted a sector-wide sell-off, particularly affecting companies like Centene heavily involved in government health programs.
• The sudden regulatory shift posed risks for insurers reliant on Medicare Advantage, leading to a steep fall in Centene's stock value.
• The market's response emphasizes the vulnerability of healthcare stocks to regulatory changes and underscores the significance of monitoring governmental policies for potential industry impacts.

06.00.2026 - CNC Stock was up 5.1%

• Centene's stock experienced a 4.2% increase driven by positive developments and analyst upgrades.
• Barclays upgraded Centene's stock rating from "Equal-Weight" to "Overweight" and increased its price target to $54.00 after conducting a detailed pricing analysis of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) market.
• The upgrade reflects confidence in Centene's ability to enhance ACA margins by implementing premium increases while remaining competitive, amidst concerns over ACA premium subsidies.
• The positive sentiment surrounding Centene's stock is also attributed to optimistic forecasts for the Outpatient Clinics Market, suggesting growth opportunities in the healthcare sector that have bolstered investor confidence in the company's future prospects.

16.11.2025 - CNC Stock was down 5.0%

• The bearish movement in Centene Corp. (CNC) stock today could be attributed to several factors:
• Concerns raised by U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn regarding rising healthcare costs and regulatory violations at CVS Health, which may have sparked worries about potential industry-wide regulatory scrutiny affecting healthcare companies like Centene.
• The ongoing legal battle in Arizona courts over a discrimination lawsuit against Centene, which could be seen as a legal overhang impacting investor sentiment and confidence in the company's operations.
• The broader industry challenges highlighted in the Zacks Industry Outlook for HMOs, indicating a bearish outlook for the sector due to rising medical expenses, regulatory uncertainties, and other headwinds, which may have influenced CNC's stock performance negatively.
• The reduction in stake by National Bank of Canada FI in Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV), a competitor in the healthcare industry, could have also signaled a shift in investor sentiment towards healthcare stocks, potentially impacting CNC's stock price negatively.

29.00.2026 - CNC Stock was up 5.2%

• CNC stock surged despite challenges in the broader healthcare sector due to funding updates for Medicare Advantage in 2027.
• The positive movement might be linked to philanthropic efforts, as WellCare of Kentucky and the Centene Foundation donated $145,000 to food pantries in Kentucky, demonstrating Centene's commitment to community welfare.
• CNC's ability to withstand market pressures suggests investor confidence in its resilience amid regulatory changes.
• While some insurers faced drops, CNC's performance could be driven by investor focus on its upcoming earnings release and future strategic moves.

10.01.2026 - CNC Stock was up 5.4%

• Centene Corporation (CNC) reported a GAAP diluted loss per share of $13.53 for 2025 but showed progress with an adjusted diluted EPS of $2.08 and expects the 2026 adjusted diluted EPS to exceed $3.00. This positive outlook contributed to the bullish movement.
• Institutional investors reducing their stakes in Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) might have shifted focus towards CNC, driving up its stock price.
• The ongoing investigation into potential fraud involving premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act health insurers could have also influenced investors to favor CNC, a company with promising growth potential and improving earnings power.

10.01.2026 - CNC Stock was up 5.3%

• CNC stock surged due to the positive outlook provided in the company's 2025 results and 2026 guidance, with expectations of exceeding $3.00 in adjusted diluted EPS.
• The market responded favorably to Centene's efforts to restore its earnings power, despite reporting a GAAP diluted loss per share in 2025.
• The bearish movement in Humana stock hitting a 52-week low may have indirectly benefited CNC, as investors potentially shifted focus to Centene's growth potential within the healthcare sector.
• The overall positive sentiment towards CNC was reinforced by Morgan Stanley's "Hold" rating, with a price target of $38.00, indicating confidence in the company's future performance.