July 31, 2025
Top 10 Stock Centene Hold Recommendation
How to read the ranks
For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Snapshot: Centene – Top 10 Stock in Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Providers Index
Centene is listed as a top 10 stock on July 31, 2025 in the market index D.J. US Health Care because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. While half the consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average, investor sentiment is negative and growth performance is below market average, both a sign for caution. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 44 (44% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall hold recommendation for Centene on July 31, 2025.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | USA |
| Industry | Health Care Managed |
| Index | Employee Focus US, Diversity USA, D.J. US Health Care, S&P 500 |
| Size class | X-Large |
When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).
For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).
360° View: Obermatt 360° View Centene Hold
| 360 METRICS | July 31, 2025 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 93 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 13 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 78 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 7 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 44 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 44 (better than 44% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Centene are below the industry average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half the metrics below and half above average for Centene. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 93, which means that the share price of Centene is on the lower side compared with the typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is lower than for 93% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The company is also safely financed with a Safety rank of 78. But the professional market sentiment is below average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 7. Professional investors are more confident in 93% other stocks. The consolidated Growth Rank also has a low rank of 13, which means that the company is below average in terms of growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, invested capital growth, and stock returns. 87 of its competitors have better growth. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 44, Centene is worse than 56% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. The picture is mixed here. The stock seems to be a good value (Value Rank of 93), and the financing structure is on the safer side (Safety Rank of 78). However, sentiment in the professional investor community is below-average (Sentiment Rank of 7), as is the growth momentum for the company (Growth Rank of 13). Since the company is good value and the share price low, it should attract investors, yet professionals are skeptical. Even though the financing structure is not as important as Value, Growth, and Sentiment, investors should still be careful with this decision and conduct further research if they are serious about investing in this company. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Centene negative
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 7 (better than 7% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Centene is critical, mostly below average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for Centene. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 21 (worse than 79% of alternative investments), which means that currently, stock research analysts tend to warn against investing in the stock of the company. Worse, Analyst Opinions Change has a rank of 5 which means that stock research experts are getting even more pessimistic. It doesn't end with the analysts. Market Pulse is also low with a rank of 30, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the negative side when discussing this company (more negative news than for 70% of competitors). No wonder, the Professional Investors rank is only 27, which means that professional investors hold less stock in this company than in 73% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to stay away from Centene, which may be due to a small company size but just as likely because of its relatively low Sentiment Rank. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 7 (less encouraging than 93% compared with investment alternatives), Centene has a reputation among professional investors that is far below that of its competitors. Investors should be careful with this stock right now. Further research is required if an investment is desired, because the facts found in the professional community are all negative. ...read more
Value Strategy: Centene Stock Price Value at the top
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 93 (better than 93% compared with alternatives) for 2025, Centene shares are significantly less expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators above average for Centene. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 95, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 95% of comparable companies, indicating a good value regarding Centene's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price to Profits (or Price / Earnings, P/E), more favorable than for 97% of alternatives, and it's also true for the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Capital Rank of 90. But, compared with other companies in the same industry, dividend yields are expected to be lower than average; only 1% of all competitors have even lower dividend yields than Centene (a Dividend Yield Rank of 1). 99% alternative investments in the same business provide a higher dividend yield. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 93, is a buy recommendation based on Centene's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. The below-average dividend yield may be a good sign, as it could mean the company has more attractive investment opportunities for the generated cash than to pay it out as dividends. A low dividend yield can also indicate a growth phase. ...read more
Growth Strategy: Centene Growth Momentum negative
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 13 (better than 13% compared with alternatives), Centene shows one of the most restricted growth dynamics in its industry. There is little momentum in this company. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Centene. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 75, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 14% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 8 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 92% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 14 and Stock Returns with a rank of 7 are also low (below 93% of alternative investments). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 13, is a sell recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The good news from the invested capital side is surprising. A company with disappointing revenues, profits, and disappointed shareholders typically doesn't invest above average. Overall, the growth momentum for Centene is thus negative. As it is intriguing to see that company executives are optimistic about their investment policy, it is worthwhile looking into the details of the capital investment projects. They may indicate future growth and profits and thus if accompanied by a good value, a sign of good timing to invest in the stock. ...read more
Safety Strategy: Centene Debt Financing Safety very solid
| SAFETY METRICS | July 31, 2025 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 55 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 83 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 49 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 78 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 78 (better than 78% compared with alternatives) for 2025, the company Centene has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Centene is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators where two out of three are above average for Centene.Leverage is at 55, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 55% of its competitors.Refinancing is at a rank of 83, meaning that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 83% of its competitors. Liquidity is at 49, meaning that the company generates less profit to service its debt than 51% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the riskier side regarding debt service. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 78 (better than 78% compared with alternatives), Centene has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. Low leverage and low refinancing risk mean a safer financing situation. However, low liquidity means that current company cash flows are low in relation to the level of debt. This is a sign of caution in case it is expected for profits to remain low. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: Centene Top Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | July 31, 2025 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 93 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 13 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 49 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 91 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 91 (better than 91% compared with investment alternatives), Centene (Health Care Managed, USA) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Centene are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 93 (better than 93% of alternatives), are safely financed (Safety Rank of 78, which means low debt burdens), but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 13). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 91, is a strong buy recommendation based on Centene's financial characteristics. As the company Centene's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 93) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 13) while being safely financed (Obermatt Safety Rank of 78), it may be a safer investment because companies with low debt can better withstand times of crises. Yet the good value, better than 93% of comparable companies, may also indicate that the company's future is challenging. If you believe that low growth is temporary or just due to a specific current event, you may conclude that the good value of the stock provides an attractive investment opportunity and the downside is limited due to below-average financing risks. ...read more
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