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CI vs CNC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? The Cigna Group (CI) vs. Centene Corporation (CNC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- The Cigna Group (CI) demonstrates financial stability with a positive P/E ratio of approximately 12.4 and a market cap exceeding $72 billion, contrasting CNC's negative P/E amid recent losses.
- Recent market activity shows CNC surging over 30% in the past month, outpacing CI's 6-7% gain, though both lag broader indices year-to-date.
- CI reported Q4 earnings beats with revenue growth, while CNC posted a loss despite revenue upside, highlighting profitability differences.
- Both firms face regulatory pressures in managed care, but CI's diversified segments provide resilience compared to CNC's heavy government program exposure.
- Year-to-date, CNC edges CI slightly at +1.6% versus +0.2%, amid sector headwinds.
Introduction
The Cigna Group (CI) and Centene Corporation (CNC) operate in the competitive managed healthcare sector, providing services like health insurance, pharmacy benefits, and government-sponsored programs. Investors and traders comparing these stocks assess relative performance amid regulatory changes, membership trends, and earnings volatility. This analysis suits those evaluating healthcare exposure, seeking stability versus growth potential in a market influenced by policy shifts and economic pressures. Recent relative performance highlights trade-offs in momentum and risk, aiding informed positioning.
CI Overview and Recent Performance
The Cigna Group (CI), a diversified healthcare services leader, operates through segments including Evernorth (pharmacy benefits management) and Cigna Healthcare (medical, dental, and Medicare plans). Trading around $276 per share with a $73 billion market cap, CI offers a 2.3% dividend yield. In recent market activity, shares have gained about 7% over the past month but declined 2% in three months, reflecting YTD flatness amid broader sector challenges. Q4 2025 earnings surpassed estimates with $8.08 EPS and 10% revenue growth to $72.5 billion, boosting sentiment despite one-year underperformance. Influences include strong financial results and leadership transitions, supporting steady positioning versus volatile peers.
CNC Overview and Recent Performance
Centene Corporation (CNC), focused on government-sponsored healthcare like Medicaid and Marketplace (Obamacare) plans, serves over 28 million members. Shares trade near $42 with a $21 billion market cap, reflecting no dividend. Recent weeks show sharp momentum with over 30% monthly gains and 9% in five days, though three-month returns lag at -10%, and YTD stands at +1.6%. Q4 2025 featured a loss but revenue beat at $49.7 billion (22% growth), pressured by declining Marketplace memberships and guidance for EPS drop. Rebounds signal optimism, tempered by profitability concerns and regulatory risks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
CI and CNC share managed care exposure but diverge in models: CI balances commercial and Medicare with pharmacy services, while CNC emphasizes Medicaid and Marketplace for volume-driven growth. Recent momentum tilts to CNC’s surge versus CI’s steadiness, yet CI’s positive net margins (2.3%) and ROE contrast CNC’s losses (-3.4% margins). Risks include bid spreads and enrollment for both, amplified for CNC by policy sensitivity. Sentiment favors CI’s stability amid CNC’s rebound potential, trading value ( CI P/E 12 vs. negative) for growth.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward The Cigna Group (CI) for its trend consistency, profitability, and lower volatility relative to Centene (CNC)’s earnings pressures and membership risks. Observable catalysts like earnings beats position CI favorably, though CNC’s recent momentum warrants monitoring for reversal potential.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CI is a Buy and CNC is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CI’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileCNC’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CI’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- CNC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CI’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while CNC’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CI’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- CNC’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
CI (@Managed Health Care) experienced а +2.94% price change this week, while CNC (@Managed Health Care) price change was +4.59% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Managed Health Care industry was +8.85%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +10.99%, and the average quarterly price growth was +31.11%.
Reported Earning Dates
CI is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
CNC is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Managed Health Care (+8.85% weekly)Managed healthcare industry focuses on providing health/medical and disability insurance plans, generally intended to reduce the cost of for-profit health care. The insurance products might be provided through employer-paid (fully or partly) insurance and benefit programs, or through Medicare/Medicaid. Some of the largest providers of managed health care include Aetna, Humana Inc., and Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare.
| CI | CNC | CI / CNC | |
| Capitalization | 78.8B | 32.2B | 245% |
| EBITDA | 12.1B | -4.44B | -272% |
| Gain YTD | 9.501 | 58.420 | 16% |
| P/E Ratio | 11.92 | 9.06 | 132% |
| Revenue | 268B | 198B | 135% |
| Total Cash | 7.8B | 23.7B | 33% |
| Total Debt | 30.9B | 16.4B | 188% |
CI | CNC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 19 | 66 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 5 Undervalued | 58 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 70 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 56 | 98 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 51 | 6 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 82 | 71 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CI's Valuation (5) in the Managed Health Care industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CNC (58). This means that CI’s stock grew somewhat faster than CNC’s over the last 12 months.
CI's Profit vs Risk Rating (70) in the Managed Health Care industry is in the same range as CNC (100). This means that CI’s stock grew similarly to CNC’s over the last 12 months.
CI's SMR Rating (56) in the Managed Health Care industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CNC (98). This means that CI’s stock grew somewhat faster than CNC’s over the last 12 months.
CNC's Price Growth Rating (6) in the Managed Health Care industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CI (51). This means that CNC’s stock grew somewhat faster than CI’s over the last 12 months.
CNC's P/E Growth Rating (71) in the Managed Health Care industry is in the same range as CI (82). This means that CNC’s stock grew similarly to CI’s over the last 12 months.
| CI | CNC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 82% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 66% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 62% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 62% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | 5 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 66% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 56% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 46% | 2 days ago 62% |
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CI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CI has been loosely correlated with CVS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 48% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if CI jumps, then CVS could also see price increases.
CNC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CNC has been closely correlated with MOH. These tickers have moved in lockstep 71% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CNC jumps, then MOH could also see price increases.