Centene Earnings Preview: What to Expect

Core Viewpoint - Centene Corporation is a healthcare company focused on providing government-sponsored and commercial health insurance plans, particularly for underinsured and low-income populations, with a market cap of $20.5 billion [1] Financial Performance - Analysts anticipate Centene to report a non-GAAP loss of $1.25 per share for the fourth quarter, representing a 256.3% decline from the profit of $0.80 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, the expected non-GAAP EPS is projected to be $2, down 72.1% from $7.17 in 2024, but a recovery is expected in fiscal 2026 with earnings forecasted to increase by 47% year over year to $2.94 per share [3] Stock Performance - Centene's stock has decreased by 27.3% over the past 52 weeks, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 Index's increase of 16.2% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund's rise of 11.6% during the same period [4] - On January 5, Centene shares rose by 4.2% following an upgrade from Barclays plc to "Overweight," with a price target increase from $44 to $54, attributed to improved prospects in the Affordable Care Act market [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus rating for Centene stock is cautious, with an overall "Hold" rating; among 19 analysts, three recommend "Strong Buys," 13 suggest "Holds," one advocates "Moderate Sell," and two give a "Strong Sell" rating [6]