Centene Corp (CNC)vsFortinet Inc (FTNT)
CNC
Centene Corp
$62.33
-0.59%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $29.43B
FTNT
Fortinet Inc
$149.67
-3.25%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $109.06B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Centene Corp generates 2408% more annual revenue ($178.33B vs $7.11B). FTNT leads profitability with a 27.5% profit margin vs -3.6%. CNC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.14. FTNT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 67/100 (B-).
CNC
Buy57
out of 100
Grade: C
FTNT
Strong Buy67
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+85.0%
Fair Value
$269.76
Current Price
$62.33
$207.43 discount
Margin of Safety
+45.4%
Fair Value
$265.15
Current Price
$149.67
$115.48 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Generating 3.4B in free cash flow
Every $100 of equity generates 197 in profit
Strong operational efficiency at 31.3%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Revenue surging 20.1% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 28.6% YoY
Areas to Watch
ROE of -30.1% — below average capital efficiency
Currently unprofitable
Distress zone — elevated risk
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Trading at 110.9x book value
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : CNC
The strongest argument for CNC centers on Price/Book, Free Cash Flow. PEG of 1.14 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : FTNT
The strongest argument for FTNT centers on Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.5% and operating margin at 31.3%. Revenue growth of 20.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : CNC
The primary concerns for CNC are Return on Equity, Profit Margin.
Bear Case : FTNT
The primary concerns for FTNT are Altman Z-Score, PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 57.7x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CNC profiles as a turnaround stock while FTNT is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
CNC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.06 — expect wider price swings.
FTNT is growing revenue faster at 20.1% — sustainability is the question.
CNC generates stronger free cash flow (3.4B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
FTNT scores higher overall (67/100 vs 57/100), backed by strong 27.5% margins and 20.1% revenue growth. CNC offers better value entry with a 85.0% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Centene Corp
HEALTHCARE · HEALTHCARE PLANS · USA
Centene Corporation is a large publicly traded company and a multi-line managed care enterprise that serves as a major intermediary for both government-sponsored and privately insured health care programs. It is a healthcare insurer that focuses on managed care for uninsured, underinsured, and low-income individuals.
Fortinet Inc
TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA
Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT) is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. It develops and sells cybersecurity solutions, including but not limited to physical products such as firewalls, plus software and services such as anti-virus protection, intrusion prevention systems and endpoint security components.
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