Centene Corp (CNC)vsPNC Financial Services Group Inc (PNC)
CNC
Centene Corp
$55.33
+4.44%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $26.34B
PNC
PNC Financial Services Group Inc
$222.42
+0.36%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $89.03B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Centene Corp generates 674% more annual revenue ($178.33B vs $23.04B). PNC leads profitability with a 31.3% profit margin vs -3.6%. CNC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.02. PNC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B).
CNC
Buy57
out of 100
Grade: C
PNC
Strong Buy75
out of 100
Grade: B
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Generating 3.4B in free cash flow
Reasonable price relative to book value
Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 36.7%
Large-cap with strong market position
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Generating 2.3B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
ROE of -26.0% — below average capital efficiency
Currently unprofitable
Expensive relative to growth rate
Distress zone — elevated risk
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull 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 : PNC
The strongest argument for PNC centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 31.3% and operating margin at 36.7%. Revenue growth of 13.8% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : CNC
The primary concerns for CNC are Return on Equity, Profit Margin.
Bear Case : PNC
The primary concerns for PNC are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CNC profiles as a turnaround stock while PNC is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
PNC carries more volatility with a beta of 0.96 — expect wider price swings.
PNC is growing revenue faster at 13.8% — sustainability is the question.
CNC generates stronger free cash flow (3.4B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
PNC scores higher overall (75/100 vs 57/100), backed by strong 31.3% margins and 13.8% 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.
PNC Financial Services Group Inc
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (stylized as PNC) is a bank holding company and financial services corporation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its banking subsidiary, PNC Bank, operates in 21 states and the District of Columbia with 2,296 branches and 9,051 ATMs. The company also provides financial services such as asset management, wealth management, estate planning, loan servicing, and information processing.
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