South Dakota Investment Council Has $18.49 Million Holdings in Centene Corporation $CNC

South Dakota Investment Council lessened its stake in shares of Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) by 3.6% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 564,618 shares of the company’s stock after selling 21,056 shares during the period. South Dakota Investment Council’s holdings in Centene were worth $18,486,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of CNC. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Centene by 3.1% during the first quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,683 shares of the company’s stock worth $219,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Centene by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 52,602 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,165,000 after purchasing an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its position in shares of Centene by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 7,465 shares of the company’s stock worth $307,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Affinity Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Centene by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Affinity Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,927 shares of the company’s stock valued at $450,000 after purchasing an additional 316 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SouthState Bank Corp boosted its position in Centene by 1.3% in the first quarter. SouthState Bank Corp now owns 24,013 shares of the company’s stock valued at $786,000 after buying an additional 317 shares in the last quarter. 93.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Centene Price Performance

Shares of CNC stock opened at $61.79 on Thursday. Centene Corporation has a 1 year low of $25.08 and a 1 year high of $69.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $63.74 and its 200-day moving average is $50.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.92, a PEG ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.07.

Centene (NYSE:CNC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The company reported $2.51 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.09 by $1.42. Centene had a negative net margin of 2.51% and a positive return on equity of 12.12%. The business had revenue of $53.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $47.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.16) earnings per share. Centene’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Centene has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.800- EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Centene Corporation will post 4.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on CNC shares. Zacks Research lowered shares of Centene from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, June 29th. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on Centene from $58.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Centene from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the company from $53.00 to $80.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 20th. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $61.00 price objective (up from $55.00) on shares of Centene in a research report on Friday, May 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “sell” rating and set a $40.00 target price on shares of Centene in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $67.00.

Key Headlines Impacting Centene

Here are the key news stories impacting Centene this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Large earnings and revenue beat: Centene reported adjusted EPS of $2.51, versus the roughly $1.09 consensus estimate, while revenue reached $53.58 billion, up 9.9% year over year and well above expectations. GAAP net income was $1.09 billion, compared with a loss in the prior-year quarter. Centene Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Profit outlook raised: Management increased 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance to above $4.80 and GAAP diluted EPS guidance to above $3.11. Revenue guidance was raised to $193.5 billion-$197.5 billion, reflecting stronger premium and service revenue growth. Centene Raises Annual Profit Forecast
• Positive Sentiment: Improving medical cost trends: The health benefits ratio improved to 89.6% from 93.0% a year earlier. Commercial results were particularly strong, with a 79.2% ratio, while Medicare also showed improvement. Analysts highlighted margin recovery, cost discipline and better Marketplace performance as key drivers. Centene Stock Q2 Earnings Call Highlights Margin Recovery
• Positive Sentiment: Valuation viewed favorably: Recent commentary argues that CNC may still look inexpensive after its substantial advance, with the earnings recovery potentially supporting further gains. Centene Stock Still Looks Like a Bargain
• Neutral Sentiment: Debt and board changes: Centene announced the partial redemption of $500 million of 2027 notes. It also added Paul J. Diaz to the board following Kenneth Burdick’s retirement. These moves are unlikely to materially change near-term earnings but may signal balance-sheet management and governance transition. Centene Announces Partial Redemption of 2027 Notes
• Negative Sentiment: Membership remains a concern: Total at-risk membership declined to 25.885 million, and Medicaid membership softened. Investors appear focused on whether enrollment declines and the Medicaid outlook could limit future revenue growth despite better margins. Centene Back on Track
• Negative Sentiment: Expectations and valuation risk: With CNC near its 52-week high after a 150% run, some investors may be taking profits. Robert W. Baird raised its price target to $66 but maintained a neutral rating, suggesting limited near-term upside from current levels.

Centene Profile

Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) is a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise that specializes in providing services to government-sponsored and national health programs. The company primarily acts as a managed care organization, delivering healthcare coverage and administering benefits for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare Advantage, and individual marketplace plans. Centene also contracts with federal and state agencies to manage specialty care programs and community-based services for vulnerable populations.

Centene’s offerings extend beyond traditional insurance to include a range of specialty and support services.