Centene (CNC) vs UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
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 UnitedHealth Group (UNH) over the past year, gaining 67.9% versus a gain of 0.3%. Over five years, CNC leads with a -1.2% price change compared with -13.3% for UNH. UnitedHealth Group is the larger company by market cap ($340.46 billion vs $32.29 billion), about 10.5 times the size, while Centene is growing revenue faster (+19.4% vs +11.8%).
On valuation, Centene trades at a lower forward P/E (12.2x vs 16.8x for UnitedHealth Group). UnitedHealth Group pays a dividend yielding 2.36%, while Centene does not currently pay one. UnitedHealth Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 2.7% 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 | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $65.36 | $379.30 |
| Market cap | $32.29B | $340.46B |
| 1-day change | +1.27% | +2.25% |
| YTD return | +56.84% | +12.37% |
| 1-year return | +67.85% | +0.28% |
| 5-year return | -1.19% | -13.34% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 24.39 |
| Forward P/E | 12.22 | 16.78 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-10.44 | $15.55 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.36% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $8.95 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $194.78B | $447.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +19.44% | +11.81% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-6.67B | $12.06B |
| Gross margin | 7.30% | 88.68% |
| Operating margin | -3.91% | 4.24% |
| Net margin | -3.43% | 2.69% |
| 52-week high | $69.63 | $461.62 |
| 52-week low | $31.63 | $255.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -6.13% | -17.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.82% | +27.00% |
| Average volume | 4.56M | 4.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 494.00M | 897.59M |
| Employees | 61,100 | 390,000 |
| 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
- UnitedHealth Group is about 10.5 times larger than Centene by market value ($340.46B vs $32.29B).
- CNC has outperformed UNH by 67.6 percentage points over the past year.
- UnitedHealth Group offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.36% vs 0.00%).
- UnitedHealth Group is more profitable, keeping 2.7 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 +11.81%).
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 UnitedHealth Group
UNH stock →UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a health care company in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Optum Health, Optum Insight, Optum Rx; and UnitedHealthcare.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 390,000 employees
CNC vs UNH FAQ
Which is bigger, Centene or UnitedHealth Group?
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is larger, with a market capitalization of $340.46B compared with $32.29B for Centene (CNC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CNC or UNH?
CNC returned +67.85% over the past 12 months, compared with +0.28% for UNH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Centene or UnitedHealth Group?
UnitedHealth Group pays a dividend yielding 2.36%, while Centene does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Centene and UnitedHealth Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical Specialities industry within the Health Care sector.