Centene (CNC) vs Elevance Health (ELV)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Centene (CNC) has outperformed Elevance Health (ELV) over the past year, gaining 67.9% versus a gain of 10.7%. Over five years, ELV leads with a +2.0% price change compared with -1.2% for CNC. Elevance Health is the larger company by market cap ($86.95 billion vs $31.88 billion), about 2.7 times the size, while Centene is growing revenue faster (+19.4% vs +12.5%).
On valuation, Centene trades at a lower forward P/E (12.1x vs 13.6x for Elevance Health). Elevance Health pays a dividend yielding 1.71%, while Centene does not currently pay one. Elevance Health converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 2.8% versus -3.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CNC | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $64.54 | $400.94 |
| Market cap | $31.88B | $86.95B |
| 1-day change | -0.69% | -0.83% |
| YTD return | +56.84% | +14.37% |
| 1-year return | +67.85% | +10.65% |
| 5-year return | -1.19% | +2.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 17.75 |
| Forward P/E | 12.07 | 13.55 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-10.44 | $22.59 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.71% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $6.86 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $194.78B | $199.13B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +19.44% | +12.49% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-6.67B | $5.66B |
| Gross margin | 7.30% | 89.36% |
| Operating margin | -3.91% | 3.62% |
| Net margin | -3.43% | 2.84% |
| 52-week high | $69.63 | $436.24 |
| 52-week low | $31.63 | $274.84 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.31% | -8.09% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.22% | +12.61% |
| Average volume | 4.57M | 1.19M |
| Shares outstanding | 494.00M | 216.87M |
| Employees | 61,100 | 96,129 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Medical Specialities | Medical Specialities |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Elevance Health is about 2.7 times larger than Centene by market value ($86.95B vs $31.88B).
- CNC has outperformed ELV by 57.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Elevance Health offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.71% vs 0.00%).
- Elevance Health is more profitable, keeping 2.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -3.4 cents for Centene.
- Centene grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.44% vs +12.49%).
About Centene
CNC stock →Centene Corporation operates as a managed care company that provides programs and services to under-insured families, and commercial organizations in the United States. It operates through four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Commercial, and Other.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 61,100 employees
About Elevance Health
ELV stock →Elevance Health, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health benefits company in the United States. The company operates in four segments: Health Benefits, CarelonRx, Carelon Services, and Corporate & Other.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 96,129 employees
CNC vs ELV FAQ
Which is bigger, Centene or Elevance Health?
Elevance Health (ELV) is larger, with a market capitalization of $86.95B compared with $31.88B for Centene (CNC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CNC or ELV?
CNC returned +67.85% over the past 12 months, compared with +10.65% for ELV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Centene or Elevance Health?
Elevance Health pays a dividend yielding 1.71%, while Centene does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Centene and Elevance Health in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical Specialities industry within the Health Care sector.