Centene (NYSE:CNC) Stock Price Target Raised at Robert W. Baird

Centene (NYSE:CNC) had its price objective hoisted by research analysts at Robert W. Baird from $66.00 to $71.00 in a report released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “neutral” rating on the stock. Robert W. Baird‘s price target would indicate a potential upside of 3.22% from the company’s previous close.

CNC has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Zacks Research downgraded Centene from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Bank of America reissued a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 price objective (up from $80.00) on shares of Centene in a research note on Wednesday. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating on shares of Centene in a report on Friday, September 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Centene from $70.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $65.00 price target (up from $47.00) on shares of Centene in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $70.90.

Centene Trading Up 1.1%

CNC stock opened at $68.79 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $33.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.59 and a beta of 1.13. Centene has a 12 month low of $31.63 and a 12 month high of $72.50. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $65.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $54.94.

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

Insider Activity

In related news, General Counsel Christopher Koster sold 56,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.90, for a total value of $3,779,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 248,854 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,648,332.60. This represents a 18.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.37% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centene

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Centene during the 2nd quarter worth $2,660,422,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in Centene by 423.0% in the second quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,301,215 shares of the company’s stock valued at $853,805,000 after buying an additional 10,757,914 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new position in Centene during the second quarter worth about $285,713,000. Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new stake in shares of Centene during the second quarter valued at about $257,279,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new stake in shares of Centene during the second quarter valued at about $244,463,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.63% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories 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.

About Centene

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.