Centene Corp (CNC)vsPayPal Holdings Inc (PYPL)
CNC
Centene Corp
$55.33
+4.44%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $26.34B
PYPL
PayPal Holdings Inc
$46.27
-0.47%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $45.38B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Centene Corp generates 438% more annual revenue ($178.33B vs $33.17B). PYPL leads profitability with a 15.8% profit margin vs -3.6%. PYPL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.91. PYPL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 78/100 (B+).
CNC
Buy57
out of 100
Grade: C
PYPL
Strong Buy78
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
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Earnings expanding 39.4% YoY
Generating 2.2B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
ROE of -26.0% — below average capital efficiency
Currently unprofitable
3.7% revenue growth
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 : PYPL
The strongest argument for PYPL centers on P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, PEG Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.8% and operating margin at 17.5%. PEG of 0.91 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 : PYPL
The primary concerns for PYPL are Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CNC profiles as a turnaround stock while PYPL is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
PYPL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.40 — expect wider price swings.
CNC is growing revenue faster at 5.1% — sustainability is the question.
CNC generates stronger free cash flow (3.4B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
PYPL scores higher overall (78/100 vs 57/100), backed by strong 15.8% margins. 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.
PayPal Holdings Inc
FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA
PayPal Holdings, Inc. is an American company operating an online payments system in the majority of countries that support online money transfers, and serves as an electronic alternative to traditional paper methods like checks and money orders. The company operates as a payment processor for online vendors, auction sites, and many other commercial users, for which it charges a fee.
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