KMG Fiduciary Partners LLC bought a new position in Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC – Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 56,158 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,489,000.
Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Centene during the 3rd quarter valued at about $614,000. Signal Advisors Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Centene in the third quarter valued at about $818,000. Krilogy Financial LLC increased its position in Centene by 9.4% during the third quarter. Krilogy Financial LLC now owns 74,818 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,648,000 after purchasing an additional 6,435 shares during the last quarter. Clay Northam Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Centene during the third quarter worth about $125,000. Finally, Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Centene during the third quarter worth about $295,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.63% of the company’s stock.
Centene Stock Up 2.8%
Shares of CNC opened at $68.89 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $34.03 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.13. Centene Corporation has a 12-month low of $31.63 and a 12-month high of $69.70. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $65.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $59.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several equities analysts have weighed in on CNC shares. HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Centene in a report on Friday, September 11th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Centene in a research note on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus set a $79.00 price target on shares of Centene in a report on Monday, August 3rd. UBS Group set a $79.00 price target on shares of Centene in a research report on Tuesday, August 18th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $65.00 price objective (up from $47.00) on shares of Centene in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $70.05.
Read Our Latest Report on Centene
Key Headlines Impacting Centene
Here are the key news stories impacting Centene this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Centene will launch a nationwide performance-based Gold Card Program in November 2026. The program will initially cover more than 160,000 qualifying providers and streamline prior-authorization reviews for certain outpatient services while maintaining clinical and quality standards. Investors may view the initiative as a way to reduce administrative friction, improve provider relationships and support operating efficiency. Centene to Launch Nationwide Gold Card Program for Qualifying Providers
- Positive Sentiment: Additional bullish discussion highlighted Centene’s redemption of its remaining 2027 notes, expansion of primary-care capabilities and the Gold Card rollout. These developments reinforce a recovery narrative centered on lower debt, simpler administration and improving margins ahead of the company’s late-October earnings report. Centene Is Up After Gold Card, Debt Redemption and Primary Care Expansion News
- Positive Sentiment: PA Health & Wellness, a Centene subsidiary, was recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as one of the top 17 Medicaid health plans in the United States for the second consecutive year. The recognition supports Centene’s quality credentials in its core Medicaid business, although the direct financial impact is limited. PA Health & Wellness Earns National Recognition Among Top Medicaid Health Plans
- Neutral Sentiment: CEO Sarah London said artificial intelligence should improve access for Medicaid patients, including those in medical-care deserts, rather than merely reduce billing costs. The comments support Centene’s longer-term innovation strategy, but no specific financial targets or implementation details were announced. Centene CEO Sarah London Discusses Medicaid and AI
- Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary from Zacks favored Centene over Molina Healthcare, citing CNC’s diversified business, improving margins, lower valuation and stronger expected earnings prospects. However, the cited median analyst price target of $62 is below the stock’s recent trading level, potentially limiting near-term upside.
- Negative Sentiment: Reported insider activity over the past six months consisted of sales rather than purchases, including sales by executives Christopher Koster and Kenneth Burdick. Insider selling does not necessarily signal deteriorating fundamentals, but it is a modest sentiment headwind.
Insider Activity
In other news, General Counsel Christopher Koster sold 56,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.90, for a total value of $3,779,850.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 248,854 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,648,332.60. This represents a 18.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.37% of the company’s stock.
Centene Profile
Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) is a healthcare enterprise that provides health insurance and related services, primarily through government-sponsored programs. Its offerings include Medicaid plans, Medicare products, health plans sold through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and services for military families through government-sponsored healthcare programs.
The company also provides pharmacy, behavioral health, specialty healthcare, care management and administrative services through various subsidiaries and partner organizations.
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