Centene (NYSE:CNC) is set to give its latest quarterly earnings report on Friday, 2026-02-06. Here's what investors need to know before the announcement.

Analysts estimate that Centene will report an earnings per share (EPS) of $-1.23.

The market awaits Centene's announcement, with hopes high for news of surpassing estimates and providing upbeat guidance for the next quarter.

It's important for new investors to understand that guidance can be a significant driver of stock prices.

Past Earnings Performance

The company's EPS beat by $0.68 in the last quarter, leading to a 6.21% drop in the share price on the following day.

Here's a look at Centene's past performance and the resulting price change:

Performance of Centene Shares

Shares of Centene were trading at $40.96 as of February 04. Over the last 52-week period, shares are down 30.51%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are likely a little upset going into this earnings release.

Analysts' Perspectives on Centene

Understanding market sentiments and expectations within the industry is crucial for investors. This analysis delves into the latest insights on Centene.

The consensus rating for Centene is Neutral, derived from 4 analyst ratings. An average one-year price target of $44.25 implies a potential 4.09% upside.

Peer Ratings Overview

In this comparison, we explore the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Molina Healthcare, HealthEquity and Alignment Healthcare, three prominent industry players, offering insights into their relative performance expectations and market positioning.

Snapshot: Peer Analysis

Within the peer analysis summary, vital metrics for Molina Healthcare, HealthEquity and Alignment Healthcare are presented, shedding light on their respective standings within the industry and offering valuable insights into their market positions and comparative performance.

Key Takeaway:

Centene ranks at the bottom for Revenue Growth among its peers. It also ranks at the bottom for Gross Profit. However, it ranks at the top for Return on Equity.

All You Need to Know About Centene

Centene is a managed care organization that focuses on government-sponsored healthcare plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the individual exchanges. Centene served 22 million medical members as of December 2024, mostly in Medicaid (about 60% of membership), the individual exchanges (about 20%), and Medicare (about 5%). The company also has a military contract and provides Medicare Part D pharmaceutical plans.

Centene's Economic Impact: An Analysis

Market Capitalization Analysis: Below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.

Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Centene showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 18.24% as of 30 September, 2025. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Health Care sector.

Net Margin: Centene's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of -13.34%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control.

Return on Equity (ROE): Centene's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of -27.43%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.

Return on Assets (ROA): Centene's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -7.87%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.

Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 0.84, caution is advised due to increased financial risk.

To track all earnings releases for Centene visit their earnings calendar on our site.

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.