Centene (CNC) vs Humana (HUM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Centene (CNC) has outperformed Humana (HUM) over the past year, gaining 69.2% versus a gain of 34.3%. Over five years, CNC leads with a -0.5% price change compared with -10.1% for HUM. Humana is the larger company by market cap ($47.61 billion vs $32.10 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Centene is growing revenue faster (+19.4% vs +10.1%).
On valuation, Centene trades at a lower forward P/E (12.2x vs 23.8x for Humana). Humana pays a dividend yielding 0.89%, while Centene does not currently pay one. Humana converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 0.9% 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 | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $64.99 | $396.51 |
| Market cap | $32.10B | $47.61B |
| 1-day change | +0.59% | -1.92% |
| YTD return | +57.93% | +54.81% |
| 1-year return | +69.16% | +34.30% |
| 5-year return | -0.51% | -10.09% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 37.48 |
| Forward P/E | 12.15 | 23.78 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-10.44 | $10.58 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.89% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.54 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $194.78B | $129.66B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +19.44% | +10.11% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-6.67B | $1.19B |
| Gross margin | 7.30% | — |
| Operating margin | -3.91% | 2.09% |
| Net margin | -3.43% | 0.92% |
| 52-week high | $69.63 | $428.88 |
| 52-week low | $31.63 | $163.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -6.66% | -7.55% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +10.45% | +6.87% |
| Average volume | 4.57M | 1.24M |
| Shares outstanding | 494.00M | 120.08M |
| Employees | 61,100 | 67,060 |
| 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
- CNC has outperformed HUM by 34.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Centene grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.44% vs +10.11%).
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 Humana
HUM stock →Humana Inc. provides medical and specialty insurance products in the United States.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 67,060 employees
CNC vs HUM FAQ
Which is bigger, Centene or Humana?
Humana (HUM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $47.61B compared with $32.10B for Centene (CNC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CNC or HUM?
CNC returned +69.16% over the past 12 months, compared with +34.30% for HUM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Centene or Humana?
Humana pays a dividend yielding 0.89%, while Centene does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Centene and Humana in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical Specialities industry within the Health Care sector.