WallStSmart

Centene Corp (CNC)vsLumentum Holdings Inc (LITE)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Centene Corp generates 8371% more annual revenue ($178.33B vs $2.11B). LITE leads profitability with a 11.9% profit margin vs -3.6%. LITE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.63. LITE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).

CNC

Buy

57

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 7.3Profit: 3.5Value: 5.3Quality: 5.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.71

LITE

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 5.0Quality: 3.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.58

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CNC2 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$3.40B8/10

Generating 3.4B in free cash flow

LITE5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
65.5%10/10

Revenue surging 65.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
71.1%10/10

Earnings expanding 71.1% YoY

Market CapQuality
$67.83B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Return on EquityProfitability
29.3%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 29 in profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.638/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Areas to Watch

CNC2 concerns · Avg: 1.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
-26.0%2/10

ROE of -26.0% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
-3.6%1/10

Currently unprofitable

LITE3 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
277.8x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
79.6x2/10

Trading at 79.6x book value

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.582/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CNC

The strongest argument for CNC centers on Price/Book, Free Cash Flow. PEG of 1.02 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : LITE

The strongest argument for LITE centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 65.5% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.63 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : CNC

The primary concerns for CNC are Return on Equity, Profit Margin.

Bear Case : LITE

The primary concerns for LITE are P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Altman Z-Score. A P/E of 277.8x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CNC profiles as a turnaround stock while LITE is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

LITE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.53 — expect wider price swings.

LITE is growing revenue faster at 65.5% — sustainability is the question.

CNC generates stronger free cash flow (3.4B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

LITE scores higher overall (69/100 vs 57/100) and 65.5% revenue growth. 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.

Lumentum Holdings Inc

TECHNOLOGY · COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT · USA

Lumentum Holdings Inc. manufactures and sells optical and photonic products in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California.

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