Here's Why Centene (CNC) is a Strong Value Stock

In this article:

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors.

Achieving those goals is made easier with the Zacks Style Scores, a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on popular investing methodologies, namely value, growth, and momentum. The Style Scores can help you narrow down which stocks are better for your portfolio and which ones can beat the market over the long-term.

Why Investors Should Pay Attention to This Value Stock

Different than growth or momentum investors, value-focused investors are all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under what their true value is before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Centene (CNC)

Centene Corporation is a well-diversified healthcare company that primarily provides a set of services to the government sponsored healthcare programs. The company serves the under-insured and uninsured individuals through member-focused services. It is also engaged in providing education and outreach programs to inform and assist members in accessing quality, appropriate healthcare services.

CNC sits at a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), holds a Value Style Score of A, and has a VGM Score of A. Compared to the Medical - HMOs industry's P/E of 16.6X, shares of Centene are trading at a forward P/E of 11.2X. CNC also has a PEG Ratio of 1, a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 8.6X, and a Price/Sales ratio of 0.3X.

Value investors don't just pay attention to a company's valuation ratios; positive earnings play a crucial role, too. Nine analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2023. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.20 to $6.66 per share. CNC has an average earnings surprise of 5.6%.

CNC should be on investors' short lists because of its impressive earnings and valuation fundamentals, a good Zacks Rank, and strong Value and VGM Style Scores.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Centene Corporation (CNC) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research

Advertisement