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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 a strong year-to-date return of approximately 54%, significantly outpacing broader market benchmarks amid sector volatility.
- HUM trades at a higher absolute price level near $389 with expectations for robust premium revenue growth in its upcoming quarterly report.
- Both companies face near-term earnings catalysts, with CNC reporting on July 28 and HUM on July 29, 2026.
- CNC contends with recent membership declines, while HUM benefits from upward analyst revisions on earnings estimates.
- Sector exposure remains similar in managed care, though differing scale and operational focuses create distinct risk and growth profiles.
- Relative momentum favors CNC on recent price appreciation, while HUM shows stability in analyst sentiment.
Introduction
Centene Corporation (CNC) and Humana Inc. (HUM) represent two leading players in the U.S. managed care and health insurance sector. This comparison examines their recent stock performance, business positioning, and market dynamics in the current environment. Investors and traders focused on healthcare equities, sector rotation, or relative value opportunities may find this analysis relevant for assessing how these stocks have responded to earnings expectations, membership trends, and broader economic factors. The review draws on observable market data to highlight contrasts without projecting future outcomes.
CNC Overview and Recent Performance
Centene Corporation (CNC) operates as a major managed care organization providing government-sponsored and commercial health plans. In recent market activity, the stock has shown notable strength, posting a year-to-date return of 54.09% as of late July 2026, with shares closing near $63.41 on July 24. This performance reflects resilience despite challenges, including membership reductions of 1.36 million in the prior quarter. Analysts project a substantial year-over-year increase in second-quarter earnings per share to $0.89 alongside revenue of $47.53 billion, with results scheduled for release on July 28. Sentiment has been influenced by these upcoming figures and the company's guidance adjustments, contributing to volatility within a 52-week range of $25.08 to $69.36.
HUM Overview and Recent Performance
Humana Inc. (HUM) focuses on health and well-being services, with a significant presence in Medicare Advantage and other insurance segments. Recent market activity has seen the stock trade around $389.32 as of July 24, 2026, reflecting modest daily movements amid sector developments. Analysts anticipate second-quarter earnings per share of $6.22 and revenue of $40.65 billion, with the report set for July 29 and expectations of premium growth. Upward revisions to estimates have supported positioning, though the stock operates within a 52-week range extending to highs near $428. The company's reaffirmed full-year outlook and analyst commentary on medical cost trends have shaped recent sentiment in a stable yet monitored environment.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
In business model terms, CNC emphasizes government-sponsored programs with a broader membership base, while HUM maintains a stronger focus on Medicare Advantage and supplemental benefits. Growth drivers differ, with CNC navigating membership headwinds against HUM’s premium expansion outlook. Recent momentum shows CNC with superior year-to-date gains compared to more measured movements in HUM. Risk factors include earnings sensitivity for both, alongside sector-specific pressures such as regulatory changes and medical cost trends. Market sentiment appears constructive for upcoming reports, though analyst ratings lean Hold for HUM versus more positive long-term views on CNC’s valuation metrics. Trade-offs center on CNC’s higher recent volatility and recovery potential versus HUM’s larger market capitalization and dividend profile.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency in year-to-date returns, earnings catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probabilistic favorability to CNC over HUM. This assessment reflects stronger recent price momentum and the magnitude of projected earnings improvement, balanced against membership considerations and sector dynamics. Such evaluations remain probabilistic and subject to new data inputs.
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.
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 Buy.
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 0 FA rating(s) are green whileHUM’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CNC’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- HUM’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HUM’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CNC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- HUM’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
CNC (@Managed Health Care) experienced а +0.25% price change this week, while HUM (@Managed Health Care) price change was -6.83% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Managed Health Care industry was -2.81%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -8.41%, and the average quarterly price growth was +50.64%.
Reported Earning Dates
CNC is expected to report earnings on Oct 27, 2026.
HUM is expected to report earnings on Nov 06, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Managed Health Care (-2.81% 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 | 31.7B | 43.5B | 73% |
| EBITDA | -2.73B | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 55.699 | 42.450 | 131% |
| P/E Ratio | 9.06 | 34.23 | 26% |
| Revenue | 203B | 146B | 139% |
| Total Cash | 27.1B | 23.9B | 113% |
| Total Debt | 16.1B | 14.2B | 113% |
CNC | HUM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 66 | 67 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 67 Overvalued | 10 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 97 | 95 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 37 | 36 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 70 | 11 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
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 (10) in the Managed Health Care industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CNC (67). 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 (97). This means that HUM’s stock grew similarly to CNC’s over the last 12 months.
HUM's Price Growth Rating (36) in the Managed Health Care industry is in the same range as CNC (37). This means that HUM’s stock grew similarly to CNC’s over the last 12 months.
HUM's P/E Growth Rating (11) 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 (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 72% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 65% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 70% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 70% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 65% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 67% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 22 days ago 61% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 63% | 10 days ago 66% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 71% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 69% |
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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 66% 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.