Health Care·Managed Health Care·$20.6B
Centene Corp Del (CNC) operates in the health care sector, focusing on managed health care services. With a market cap of $21 billion, the company plays a vital role in providing health insurance and related services, particularly for government programs like Medicaid and Medicare.
EPS
Earnings per share (EPS) is a key indicator of the company's profitability and is closely watched by investors.
Revenue
Total revenue reflects the company's ability to generate sales and is crucial for assessing growth.
Wall Street expectations, options signals, track record, and call prep available with Pro.
EPS Beat Streak
2Q
EPS Beat Rate
75%
Avg EPS Surprise
+43.07%
Avg Stock Reaction
+1.70%
In Q4-2025, Centene reported an EPS of -$1.19, slightly better than the expected -$1.25, but the stock fell 3.66% the next day. This followed a strong performance in Q3-2025 where they surprised with an EPS of $0.50 against an expectation of -$0.21.
Management Promises & Guidance
Analysts expect Centene to report an EPS of $2.13 and revenue of $47.6 billion for Q1-2026. The company has a history of beating EPS estimates, which could influence market sentiment.
Bull Case
If Centene exceeds the EPS estimate and shows strong revenue growth, it could signal robust operational performance and lead to a positive stock reaction.
Bear Case
Conversely, if the company misses earnings expectations or provides weak guidance, it may raise concerns about its financial health and lead to a decline in stock price.
EPS
$2.13Earnings per share (EPS) is a key indicator of the company's profitability and is closely watched by investors.
Revenue
$47.6BTotal revenue reflects the company's ability to generate sales and is crucial for assessing growth.
The print will turn on these two things.
Q1
Will EPS exceed the consensus estimate of $2.13?
A beat on EPS could reinforce confidence in Centene's financial stability and growth prospects.
Q2
What guidance will management provide regarding revenue growth?
Management's outlook on revenue is critical for understanding future performance and could significantly impact investor sentiment.
Why consensus could be wrong
The Street may underestimate Centene's ability to leverage cost efficiencies and improve margins, which could lead to better-than-expected earnings.
Supporting Evidence
Centene has a history of beating EPS estimates, with a 75% success rate over the last eight quarters.
Recent operational improvements and cost-cutting measures may not be fully reflected in analyst forecasts.
The managed health care sector is experiencing increased demand, which could benefit Centene more than anticipated.
Key Risk
If Centene's revenue growth exceeds $48 billion, it could challenge the current bearish sentiment.
Pre-commit to what would confirm each case.
The market is keenly focused on EPS and revenue growth as indicators of Centene's operational health and future prospects.
Bull Confirmed If
An EPS of $2.50 or higher would confirm the bull case, indicating strong operational performance.
Bear Confirmed If
An EPS below $1.80 would confirm the bear case, raising concerns about profitability.
Implied Move
±4.2%
The options market is pricing in a move of approximately 4.2% around the earnings announcement, indicating some uncertainty among investors.
Likely market behavior by outcome — not investment advice.
Beat & Raise
If Centene beats expectations, history suggests the stock could rise by an average of 6.11%, confirming a positive outlook.
In-Line / Cautious
If results are in line with expectations, the stock may experience muted movement, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.
Miss
A miss could lead to a decline in stock price, with history indicating an average drop of 7.27% following earnings misses.
AI-powered briefs, options data, and 20 quarters of history — everything you need before earnings.
No charge today · Auto-bills $8/mo after 7 days · Cancel anytime
VERIZON COMMUNICATIO
Apr 27, 2026