NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 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 - Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) is focusing on expanding its value-based care model, which emphasizes patient outcomes rather than the quantity of care provided [1][2] - The company is particularly enhancing its value-based care offerings in behavioral health and oncology through its Carelon business, which integrates various healthcare services [2][8] Company Performance - Elevance Health's care delivery services target chronic and complex populations, providing tailored care both at home and virtually [3] - The acquisition of CareBridge in 2024 allows the company to offer virtual care to Medicaid and Medicare patients, enhancing its management of home and community-based services [3] - In the last reported quarter, Medicare Advantage memberships increased by 11% year over year, while total revenues rose by 13.4% [4][8] Competitive Landscape - Competitors such as UnitedHealth Group and Humana are also expanding in the value-based care space, with UnitedHealth's Optum division reporting a 5.8% year-over-year revenue growth in the first half of 2025 [5] - Humana's CenterWell business saw an 8.9% year-over-year revenue increase in the same period [6] Valuation and Estimates - Elevance Health's shares have decreased by 14.1% year-to-date, contrasting with a 0.7% decline in the industry [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 9.62, significantly lower than the industry average of 15.16, and currently holds a Value Score of A [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Elevance Health's 2025 earnings is $30.15 per share, indicating an 8.8% decline from the previous year [11]

Core Viewpoint - Molina Healthcare's recent earnings report indicates a mixed performance, with adjusted EPS slightly missing estimates and total revenues showing significant year-over-year growth, but challenges remain due to rising medical care costs and operational expenses [3][4][7]. Financial Performance - Molina reported Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $5.48, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.50, and reflecting a 6.5% decline from the previous year [3]. - Total revenues reached $11.4 billion, marking a 15.7% increase year-over-year and exceeding the consensus estimate by 5.4% [3]. - Premium revenues of $10.9 billion increased by 15% year-over-year, driven by contract wins and rate hikes, surpassing the consensus estimate of $10.4 billion [5]. Operational Metrics - Total membership grew by 3% year-over-year to approximately 5.7 million, although it fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.8% [6]. - The consolidated medical care ratio (MCR) was 90.4%, up from 88.6% a year ago, indicating higher medical costs relative to premium revenues [8]. Expense Analysis - Total operating expenses increased by 17% year-over-year to $11.1 billion, exceeding model estimates due to rising medical care costs and administrative expenses [7]. - Interest expenses rose to $48 million from $28 million in the prior year, reflecting increased financial costs [7]. Guidance and Future Outlook - Management projects premium revenues to reach around $42 billion in 2025, a 9% increase from 2024, but adjusted EPS guidance has been lowered to at least $19 from a previous estimate of $24.50 [11]. - Adjusted net income is now expected to be $1.028 billion, with total membership projected at 5.9 million by the end of 2025 [12]. Market Sentiment - Recent estimates have shown a downward trend, with a significant shift of -35.62% in consensus estimates over the past month [13]. - Molina currently holds a Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell), indicating expectations of below-average returns in the near term [15].

Core Viewpoint - A securities class-action lawsuit has been filed against Centene Corporation, alleging that the company misrepresented its financial health and market conditions to investors [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit, titled Lunstrum v. Centene Corporation, targets investors who purchased Centene securities between December 12, 2024, and June 30, 2025 [1]. - The complaint claims that Centene's leadership provided a misleadingly optimistic view of projected revenue growth, strong enrollment, and low morbidity levels, which contradicted internal data [2]. Group 2: Financial Impact - On July 1, 2025, Centene withdrew its 2025 financial guidance after an independent actuarial review indicated that market growth was "lower than expected" and morbidity levels were "materially inconsistent" with prior assumptions, leading to a stock price drop of over 40% [3]. - Following the lawsuit, Centene reported a Q2 diluted loss per share of -$0.51, attributed to reduced revenue estimates [4]. Group 3: Investigation and Whistleblower Information - Hagens Berman, a national plaintiffs' rights law firm, is investigating claims on behalf of investors who suffered losses, focusing on whether Centene misrepresented its marketplace business health [5]. - The firm encourages whistleblowers with non-public information about Centene to come forward, offering potential rewards of up to 30% of any successful SEC recovery [5].

Core Insights - The author has extensive experience in executive management, particularly in insurance/reinsurance and the Asia Pacific markets, with a focus on climate change and ESG [1] Group 1 - The author holds an honours degree in economics and politics, emphasizing economic development [1] - The author has 36 years of experience in executive management, providing a deep understanding of relevant markets [1] - The author invests personally, indicating a vested interest in the analysis presented [1]

CLASS PERIOD: December 12, 2024 to June 30, 2025 ALLEGATIONS: According to the complaint, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Centene's enrollment and morbidity rates. Investors began to question the veracity of defendants' public statements on July 1, 2025, when Centene issued a press release withdrawing 2025 guidance. Partic ...

Core Insights - UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) and Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) are facing significant challenges due to rising medical costs, regulatory pressures, and declining investor confidence, leading to substantial stock declines in 2025 [1][22] - UNH's stock has decreased by 40.7% year-to-date, while ELV has seen a 16% decline, against a broader industry slump of 31.6% [2][22] Group 1: Company Comparisons - UnitedHealth has a market capitalization of $275.5 billion, significantly larger than Elevance's $70.3 billion, and a stronger debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2.03 compared to Elevance's 2.47 [5][22] - UNH's operational model includes vertical integration through UnitedHealthcare and Optum, allowing for better cost control and negotiation power [6][22] - Despite recent pressures, UNH has maintained robust cash flow, enabling continued investment in growth, although it has lowered its outlook after missing estimates [7][22] Group 2: Financial Performance - Elevance achieved a 15.5% growth in premiums in the first half of 2025, surpassing UNH's 12.6% growth [12][22] - Elevance's benefit expense ratio increased to 88.9% in Q2 2025, indicating a significant portion of premium revenue is directed towards claims rather than profitability, with expectations to reach 90% for the full year [13][22] - UNH's medical care ratio rose to 89.4% in Q2 2025, suggesting stronger profitability compared to Elevance [14][22] Group 3: Shareholder Returns and Valuation - Elevance returned over $2 billion to shareholders in the first half of 2025, while UNH returned $9.5 billion, with UNH's dividend yield at 2.95% compared to Elevance's 2.21% [15][22] - Investors are willing to pay a premium for UNH, reflected in its forward P/E ratio of 17.23X versus Elevance's 9.72X [21][22] Group 4: Future Outlook - Both companies are facing unfavorable earnings estimates for 2025 due to rising costs, with UNH's EPS expected to decline by 40.1% year-over-year, while Elevance's is projected to decline by 8.8% [17][20][22] - The acquisition of Amedisys by UNH is expected to enhance its integrated care model and reduce medical costs by minimizing hospitalizations [9][22] - Elevance's Carelon platform is driving growth through digital and AI-enabled solutions, although it still lags behind UNH in profitability and capital efficiency [11][16][22]

Core Insights - Elevance Health, Inc. faced a legal setback as a federal judge dismissed its challenge against the Medicare Advantage star ratings set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) [1][4] - The dismissal means Elevance will forgo an estimated $375 million in bonus payments for 2025 due to a rating that was rounded down from 3.749565 stars to 3.5 stars, just below the four-star threshold [2][8] - The outcome emphasizes the regulatory risks in the Medicare Advantage sector, potentially influencing operational strategies for Elevance and its peers [4] Financial Implications - Elevance's rating downgrade will result in a significant loss of bonus payments, estimated at $375 million for 2025 [2][8] - The company's shares have declined by 16.1% year-to-date, contrasting with the industry's growth of 0.2% [7] Industry Context - CMS issues annual star ratings that are critical for determining federal bonus payments and consumer enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans [3][8] - Other insurers, such as Centene Corporation and Humana Inc., have also faced challenges related to rating methodology changes, with varying outcomes [5][6] Valuation Metrics - Elevance currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 9.72, significantly lower than the industry average of 15.25 [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Elevance's 2025 earnings is $30.15 per share, reflecting an 8.8% decline from the previous year [11]

Core Viewpoint - A lawsuit has been filed against Centene Corporation and certain senior executives for potential violations of federal securities laws, with claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [1][2]. Company Overview - Centene Corporation is a healthcare company that provides services to consumers enrolled in government-sponsored healthcare programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, as well as those purchasing insurance under the Affordable Care Act [3]. Financial Guidance and Performance - On December 12, 2024, Centene announced financial guidance for fiscal year 2025, claiming stability in earnings despite challenges [4]. - The company increased its 2025 guidance on February 4, 2025, citing enrollment overperformance, and again on April 25, 2025, due to strong growth in enrollment and retention [4]. - However, the actual market conditions showed lower than expected enrollment growth and increased morbidity rates in the majority of the states served by Centene [4]. Stock Market Reaction - On July 1, 2025, Centene withdrew its previous guidance after an independent actuarial report revealed lower than expected market growth and higher morbidity rates, leading to a significant stock price drop of $22.87 per share, or over 40%, from $56.65 to $33.78 [5].

UnitedHealth and Elevance told Colorado regulators they will exit some individual health plans in the state, the latest sign of instability in the ACA marketplaces https://t.co/dxKfuMxZY6 ...