NEW YORK, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Centene Corporation ("Centene" or the "Company") (NYSE: CNC) of a class action securities lawsuit. CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Centene investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between December 12, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team: https://zlk.com/pslra-1/centene-corporation-lawsuit ...

Core Insights - UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is expected to report its second-quarter 2025 results on July 29, 2025, with significant implications for the healthcare sector amid rising medical costs and regulatory scrutiny [1] - The company has faced challenges including the withdrawal of its 2025 earnings outlook, a surprise CEO transition, and federal investigations, leading to a decline in investor confidence [2] Financial Performance - UNH's second-quarter earnings are projected to decline by 28.8% year-over-year, despite a 12.8% expected revenue growth [6][16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter earnings is $4.84 per share, down from $6.80 a year ago [16] - The company trades at a forward P/E of 11.98X, slightly above the industry average of 11.58X, but significantly below its five-year median of 19.20X [4] Segment Analysis - The UnitedHealthcare segment, UNH's largest by revenue, reported a 12.3% year-over-year revenue increase to $84.6 billion, with operating income rising 18.9% to $5.2 billion [10] - Revenue from the Employer & Individual Domestic, Medicare & Retirement, and Community & State businesses increased by 6.9%, 17.5%, and 12.5% year-over-year, respectively [10] - The consensus estimate for UnitedHealthcare's revenues indicates a 14.7% year-over-year increase, while operating income is expected to decline by over 30% [11] Market Context - UNH shares have dropped 45% year-to-date, mirroring declines in peers like Molina Healthcare and Humana, while the broader managed care industry has fallen 34.3% [2] - The medical care ratio for the second quarter is expected to rise to 88.6%, up from 85.1% a year ago, indicating increased medical costs [12] Regulatory Environment - The Department of Justice is investigating aspects of UNH's Medicare business, which has heightened concerns over regulatory risks [2][6] - The company has proactively engaged with the DOJ in response to media reports and is complying with requests [2]

Core Insights - Centene Corporation (CNC) reported a second-quarter 2025 adjusted loss per share of 16 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings of 68 cents, and a significant decline from the year-ago profit of $2.42 per share [1][11] Financial Performance - The company's revenues increased by 22.4% year over year to $48.7 billion, surpassing the consensus mark by 10.9% [2][11] - Medicaid revenues grew 7% year over year to $21.7 billion, while Medicare revenues surged 58% year over year to $9.5 billion [3] - Commercial revenues improved 18% year over year to $10.1 billion [3] - Total premiums reached $41.7 billion, an 18.8% year-over-year increase, driven by higher premiums and an expanding membership base [4] Membership and Operational Metrics - Total membership (excluding TRICARE) was 28 million as of June 30, 2025, reflecting an 8.9% year-over-year growth, although there were declines in Medicaid and Medicare memberships [6] - The health benefits ratio deteriorated to 93%, a 540 basis point decline year over year, exceeding the consensus mark of 90.82% [7] Expenses and Losses - Operating expenses totaled $49.2 billion, a 27.4% year-over-year increase, attributed to rising medical costs, premium tax expenses, and administrative costs [7] - Adjusted net loss was recorded at $79 million, contrasting with year-ago earnings of $1.3 billion [8] Cash and Equity Position - As of June 30, 2025, Centene had cash and cash equivalents of $14.5 billion, up from $14.1 billion at the end of 2024 [9] - Total assets increased to $86.4 billion from $82.4 billion at the end of 2024, while long-term debt decreased to $17.6 billion from $18.4 billion [9] Share Repurchase Activity - Centene repurchased common shares worth approximately $432 million in the second quarter of 2025 [12] Peer Comparison - Elevance Health, Inc. reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted EPS of $8.84, missing estimates and showing a 12.6% year-over-year decline [13] - UnitedHealth Group is expected to report a significant year-over-year decline in profits despite a projected 12.8% revenue increase [14]

Core Insights - Centene Corp (NYSE:CNC) stock increased by 3.9% to $27.75 despite reporting an adjusted second-quarter loss of 16 cents per share, which was worse than the projected loss of 11 cents per share. However, revenue exceeded estimates, leading to a recovery in stock price after significant premarket gains [1] - The stock has been recovering from a 55% year-to-date deficit, primarily due to a 40% drop on July 1 when the company withdrew its 2025 forecast. The shares reached an eight-year low of $26.66 but are now testing the 10-day moving average [2] - Options trading activity has shown a strong preference for calls, with 83,508 calls purchased compared to 12,760 puts over the past two weeks, resulting in a call/put volume ratio of 6.53, indicating high call buying activity [3] - Recently, there has been a shift towards puts, with 58,000 puts traded, which is 26 times the average intraday volume and more than double the number of calls. The September 22.50 put is particularly popular, suggesting some traders may be hedging against potential declines [4] - Short interest has increased by 26% in the last two reporting periods, indicating growing bearish sentiment amidst the stock's technical challenges [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an adjusted per share loss of $0.16 for Q2 2025, which was below the financial goals set at the beginning of the year [7][33] - Premium and service revenue for Q2 2025 was $42.5 billion, reflecting challenges in the Marketplace and Medicaid segments [33][41] - The adjusted diluted EPS guidance for the full year 2025 has been revised down to approximately $1.75, significantly lower than the previous guidance of $7.25 [24][40] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Marketplace membership reached 5.9 million, generating over $10 billion in commercial premium and service revenue, but faced a $1.2 billion pretax drag due to risk adjustment transfer revenue shortfalls [8][10] - The Medicaid portfolio reported a health benefits ratio (HBR) of 94.9%, driven by increased medical costs in behavioral health, home health, and high-cost drugs [15][19] - Medicare Advantage is on track for breakeven in 2027, with PDP membership stable at 7.8 million and showing improved performance [21][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates a $2.4 billion headwind to Marketplace earnings in 2025 due to a significant morbidity shift, with some states experiencing a 16% to 17% year-over-year change [10][11] - Medicaid rate adjustments are expected to be around 5% for 2025, an increase from the previous expectation of 4% [19][24] - The overall market is expected to contract further, with the company projecting a decrease in Marketplace membership to 5.4 million by year-end 2025 [69][70] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on restoring profitability in the Marketplace by repricing 100% of the book for 2026, addressing the morbidity shifts observed in 2025 [12][29] - In Medicaid, the strategy includes advocating for rate adjustments and managing costs through clinical interventions and fraud prevention [18][19] - The company aims to leverage its size and scale to create transparency in market dynamics and improve pricing strategies [76][78] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed disappointment with Q2 performance but emphasized a unified focus on restoring earnings trajectory and improving performance across the portfolio [7][24] - The company is actively engaging with state partners to address Medicaid cost trends and secure necessary rate adjustments [19][60] - Future earnings potential is seen in the ability to manage costs effectively and secure favorable rates, with confidence in the long-term viability of its business segments [41][42] Other Important Information - The company has filed 2026 pricing in 17 states and expects to submit additional filings soon, aiming for state certification of rates [12][36] - Cash flow from operations was $1.8 billion for Q2, with unregulated cash on hand at $234 million [39] - The company does not anticipate further share buybacks in 2025 but remains open to opportunistic actions based on market conditions [39][40] Q&A Session Summary Question: Capital position and potential needs for additional capital - The company plans to inject a net $300 million into subsidiaries in the second half of the year, with a renewed $4 billion credit facility available [44][46] Question: Risk adjustment true-up and market impacts - Management acknowledged that program integrity measures led to a significant morbidity shift, affecting expectations for 2026 pricing [48][51] Question: Medicaid guidance and HBR expectations - The company expects a 140 basis point improvement in HBR for the second half of the year, focusing on specific states that contributed to Q2 underperformance [56][59] Question: Weekly data membership trends and market size - The overall market is expected to contract, with the company projecting further membership attrition due to program integrity measures [67][70] Question: Strategy for risk adjustment payables - The company is considering adjustments to product and benefit structures to optimize for lower payables while maintaining profitability [74][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an adjusted per share loss of $0.16 for Q2 2025, which was below the financial goals set at the beginning of the year [6][31] - Total premium and service revenue for Q2 2025 was $42.5 billion, reflecting challenges in the marketplace and Medicaid segments [31][39] - The adjusted diluted EPS forecast for the full year 2025 is now approximately $1.75, significantly down from the previous guidance of $7.25 [22][38] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Marketplace membership reached 5.9 million, generating over $10 billion in commercial premium and service revenue, but faced a $1.2 billion pretax drag due to risk adjustment transfer revenue shortfalls [7][8] - The Medicaid health benefits ratio (HBR) was reported at 94.9%, driven by increased medical costs in behavioral health, home health, and high-cost drugs [14][18] - Medicare Advantage is on track for breakeven in 2027, with PDP membership stable at 7.8 million and showing improved performance [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates a $2.4 billion headwind to 2025 pretax earnings due to a shift in marketplace risk pool, with morbidity increasing by 16% to 17% in some states [10][22] - Medicaid rate adjustments are expected to be around 5% for 2025, an increase from the previous expectation of 4% [18][22] - The overall market is expected to contract further, with membership projected to decrease to 5.4 million by the end of 2025 [67] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on restoring profitability in the Marketplace business by repricing for 2026 to account for morbidity shifts and enhancing operational efficiency [12][26] - In Medicaid, the strategy includes advocating for rate adjustments and managing costs through improved provider networks and fraud prevention [15][17] - The company aims to leverage its size and scale to create transparency in the market and ensure stability in pricing and risk adjustment processes [75] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed disappointment with Q2 performance but emphasized a unified focus on restoring earnings trajectory and improving performance across the portfolio [6][31] - The company is actively engaging with state partners to address Medicaid cost trends and is optimistic about securing sufficient rates to support sustainable margins [19][60] - Future earnings potential is seen in the long-term stability of Medicaid, Medicare, and the individual marketplace, despite current challenges [39][30] Other Important Information - The company has filed 2026 pricing in 17 states and expects to submit additional filings soon, aiming for a comprehensive repricing strategy [12][33] - Cash flow from operations for Q2 was $1.8 billion, with unregulated cash on hand at $234 million [37] - The company does not anticipate further share buybacks in 2025 but remains open to opportunistic actions based on market conditions [37] Q&A Session Summary Question: Capital position and potential needs for additional capital - The company plans to inject a net $300 million into subsidiaries in the second half of the year, with a renewed $4 billion credit facility available [42][44] Question: Risk adjustment impacts and repricing strategy - Management acknowledged the significant morbidity shift affecting the marketplace and is adjusting expectations for 2026 pricing accordingly, aiming for profitability [48][51] Question: Medicaid margin improvement expectations - Management expects to deliver margin improvement in Medicaid, focusing on specific states that contributed to Q2 underperformance [56][59] Question: Market size and membership trends - The company anticipates further market contraction and membership attrition, projecting a decrease to 5.4 million members by year-end [67][68] Question: Strategy for risk adjustment payables - The company is considering product and benefit structure adjustments to optimize for sustainable margins while addressing risk adjustment dynamics [71][75]

Company Performance - Centene reported a quarterly loss of $0.16 per share, significantly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.68, and a decline from earnings of $2.42 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of -123.53% [1] - The company posted revenues of $48.74 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.93%, and up from $39.84 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Centene has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates four times [2] Stock Performance - Centene shares have declined approximately 55.8% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 8.2% [3] - The current Zacks Rank for Centene is 5 (Strong Sell), indicating expectations of underperformance in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.65 on revenues of $44.38 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.55 on revenues of $178.78 billion [7] - The trend of estimate revisions for Centene was unfavorable prior to the earnings release, which may impact future stock performance [6] Industry Context - The Medical - HMOs industry, to which Centene belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 5% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a challenging environment for the stock [8] - UnitedHealth Group, a competitor in the same industry, is expected to report quarterly earnings of $4.84 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 28.8% [9]

Company Overview - Centene reported a $253 million loss in the second quarter of 2025, equating to 51 cents per share, a significant decline from a net income of $1.1 billion, or $2.16 per share, in the same period last year [3][5] - The company experienced an 18% increase in premium and service revenues, rising to $42.5 billion from $36 billion year-over-year [3] Performance Challenges - Centene is facing rising costs among its health plan members across all three government-subsidized benefits it manages: Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and individual coverage under the Affordable Care Act [4][9] - The health benefits ratio increased to 93% in Q2 2025, up from 87.6% in Q2 2024, indicating a higher percentage of premium revenue allocated to medical costs [7][8] Strategic Response - CEO Sarah London expressed disappointment in the second quarter results but emphasized a clear understanding of the trends affecting performance and a commitment to restoring earnings [5][6] - Centene plans to reveal its 2025 profit forecast, having previously pulled its financial guidance due to an independent analysis indicating that patients required more healthcare services than expected [6] Industry Context - Centene's cost struggles are part of a broader trend affecting health insurance companies, with several firms, including Elevance Health and Molina Healthcare, also lowering profit forecasts due to rising costs in government-subsidized plans [9][10] - UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health have similarly faced challenges, with UnitedHealth suspending its financial outlook and CVS exiting the individual health insurance market [11][12]

Centene's quarterly profit missed Wall Street expectations, yet another disappointment for the embattled health insurer which recently pulled its 2025 guidance https://t.co/KcaQuJXvWY ...

Financial Performance - Centene Corporation reported total revenues of $48.742 billion for Q2 2025, an increase of 22% from $39.836 billion in Q2 2024 [1] - Premium and service revenues rose 18% to $42.467 billion compared to $35.973 billion in the same period last year [6] - The company experienced a diluted loss per share of $(0.51) for Q2 2025, compared to earnings of $2.16 per share in Q2 2024 [18][29] - Adjusted diluted loss per share was $(0.16) for Q2 2025, down from $2.42 in Q2 2024 [18] Membership Trends - Total at-risk membership as of June 30, 2025, was 28,004,900, an increase from 25,709,600 in 2024 [3] - Traditional Medicaid membership decreased to 11,227,400 from 11,640,900 year-over-year [3] - Marketplace membership increased significantly to 5,862,800 from 4,401,300 in the previous year [3] Cost and Expense Management - The health benefits ratio (HBR) for Q2 2025 was 93.0%, up from 87.6% in Q2 2024, primarily due to increased medical costs [1][12] - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense ratio was 7.1% for Q2 2025, down from 8.0% in Q2 2024, reflecting better expense management [1][12] Cash Flow and Balance Sheet - Cash flow from operations for Q2 2025 was $1.785 billion, driven by improved pharmacy rebate remittance timing [1][12] - As of June 30, 2025, the company had cash, investments, and restricted deposits totaling $37.5 billion, with total debt at $17.6 billion [8][27] Community Engagement and Recognition - Centene has been actively involved in community support, including relief efforts for tornado-affected areas [4] - The company was recognized as one of Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces for the third consecutive year [4]