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CNC vs HUM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Centene Corporation (CNC) vs. Humana Inc. (HUM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CNC has delivered over 30% gains in recent weeks, significantly outpacing HUM's steadier performance amid healthcare sector pressures.
- Both stocks rallied on positive Medicare Advantage rate announcements, highlighting shared exposure to government reimbursement trends.
- HUM shows stronger year-to-date returns around 15%, supported by an EPS (earnings per share) outlook raise and care expansion.
- CNC trades at a lower P/E (price-to-earnings) ratio near 8, attracting value-oriented investors compared to HUM's 22.
- Upcoming quarterly earnings for both could shift sentiment, with analysts forecasting EPS declines but revenue growth.
- Relative performance favors CNC for momentum traders, while HUM appeals for stability.
Introduction
In the competitive managed healthcare sector, CNC (Centene Corporation) and HUM (Humana Inc.) stand out as key players serving millions through government-sponsored programs like Medicaid and Medicare Advantage. This stock comparison analyzes their recent market positioning, performance trends, and sector influences, aiding investors and traders navigating volatility from rising medical costs and regulatory changes. With both facing similar headwinds yet showing divergent momentum, understanding their contrasts helps in assessing relative opportunities in healthcare stocks.
CNC Overview and Recent Performance
Centene Corporation (CNC) is the largest Medicaid managed care organization in the U.S., serving over 20 million members primarily through government-funded programs (64% Medicaid, 28% individual exchanges, 5% Medicare). Recent market activity has seen CNC's shares rebound sharply, gaining over 30% in the past month from lows near $38 to around $42. This momentum follows Q4 revenue beats and positive Medicare rate surprises, offsetting concerns over declining memberships and elevated medical loss ratios (MLR, the portion of premiums spent on care). Sentiment reflects cautious optimism ahead of quarterly earnings, with a low P/E underscoring value amid broader YTD gains of about 2%.
HUM Overview and Recent Performance
Humana Inc. (HUM) leads in Medicare Advantage plans, focusing on senior care through insurance and its CenterWell health services division. In recent weeks, HUM shares have climbed around 10% following an EPS outlook raise for 2025 and expansions in whole-person care models. Trading near $215 with a market cap over $25 billion, the stock benefits from YTD returns of approximately 15%, outperforming peers despite rising operating costs. Influences include sector-wide Medicare reimbursement boosts and resilience in membership, though analysts note potential EPS pressure; overall sentiment remains steady with a higher P/E reflecting growth expectations.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
CNC and HUM operate in managed care but differ in focus: CNC emphasizes Medicaid scale for volume-driven growth, while HUM prioritizes higher-margin Medicare Advantage. Growth drivers contrast with HUM's recent EPS guidance lift versus CNC's membership challenges. Recent momentum favors CNC's explosive short-term surge over HUM's consistent gains. Risk factors like MLR pressures and regulatory shifts (e.g., Medicare rates) affect both equally, though CNC's lower valuation offers a buffer. Sector exposure ties them to healthcare policy, with market sentiment tilting toward rebound plays for CNC and stability for HUM.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors CNC over HUM, driven by stronger recent trend consistency, a compelling low P/E valuation, and superior short-term momentum amid sector tailwinds like Medicare rate hikes. While HUM offers stability and positive catalysts, CNC's relative positioning suggests higher probability of near-term outperformance based on observable patterns.
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 CNC is a Hold and HUM 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).
CNC’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileHUM’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- CNC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- HUM’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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.
CNC’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HUM’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CNC’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- HUM’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
CNC (@Managed Health Care) experienced а +4.58% price change this week, while HUM (@Managed Health Care) price change was +14.62% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Managed Health Care industry was +5.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +15.86%, and the average quarterly price growth was +26.77%.
Reported Earning Dates
CNC is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
HUM is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Managed Health Care (+5.31% 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.
| CNC | HUM | CNC / HUM | |
| Capitalization | 31B | 42B | 74% |
| EBITDA | -4.44B | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 51.470 | 37.375 | 138% |
| P/E Ratio | 9.06 | 37.36 | 24% |
| Revenue | 198B | 137B | 145% |
| Total Cash | 23.7B | 22B | 108% |
| Total Debt | 16.4B | 14B | 117% |
CNC | HUM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 78 | 92 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 58 Fair valued | 11 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 98 | 95 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 11 | 5 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 70 | 8 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 85 |
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.
HUM's Valuation (11) in the Managed Health Care industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CNC (58). This means that HUM’s stock grew somewhat faster than CNC’s over the last 12 months.
HUM's Profit vs Risk Rating (100) in the Managed Health Care industry is in the same range as CNC (100). This means that HUM’s stock grew similarly to CNC’s over the last 12 months.
HUM's SMR Rating (95) in the Managed Health Care industry is in the same range as CNC (98). This means that HUM’s stock grew similarly to CNC’s over the last 12 months.
HUM's Price Growth Rating (5) in the Managed Health Care industry is in the same range as CNC (11). This means that HUM’s stock grew similarly to CNC’s over the last 12 months.
HUM's P/E Growth Rating (8) in the Managed Health Care industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CNC (70). This means that HUM’s stock grew somewhat faster than CNC’s over the last 12 months.
| CNC | HUM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 66% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 59% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 65% | 17 days ago 67% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 68% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 51% |
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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.
HUM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HUM has been loosely correlated with UNH. These tickers have moved in lockstep 55% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if HUM jumps, then UNH could also see price increases.