Centene Issues Upbeat 2012 Profit Forecast

Centene Corp

issued upbeat projections for 2012 earnings. Centene projects fiscal 2012 earnings of $2.60 to $2.80 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $2.61 per share. Centene projects 2012 premium and service revenue of $7.2 to $7.6 billion, versus analysts' estimates of $7.19 billion. Centene shares gained 0.76% to close at $35.63 yesterday.