Centene Corp (CNC)vsSouthern Company (SO)
CNC
Centene Corp
$55.33
+4.44%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $26.34B
SO
Southern Company
$93.51
-2.49%
UTILITIES · Cap: $108.21B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Centene Corp generates 491% more annual revenue ($178.33B vs $30.18B). SO leads profitability with a 14.5% profit margin vs -3.6%. CNC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.02. CNC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 57/100 (C).
CNC
Buy57
out of 100
Grade: C
SO
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Intrinsic value data unavailable for CNC.
Margin of Safety
-30.8%
Fair Value
$73.33
Current Price
$93.51
$20.18 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Generating 3.4B in free cash flow
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 25.8%
Areas to Watch
ROE of -26.0% — below average capital efficiency
Currently unprofitable
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 0.8%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
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 : SO
The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin.
Bear Case : CNC
The primary concerns for CNC are Return on Equity, Profit Margin.
Bear Case : SO
The primary concerns for SO are PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CNC profiles as a turnaround stock while SO is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
CNC carries more volatility with a beta of 0.59 — expect wider price swings.
SO is growing revenue faster at 8.0% — sustainability is the question.
CNC generates stronger free cash flow (3.4B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
CNC scores higher overall (57/100 vs 56/100). Both earn "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.
Southern Company
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC · USA
Southern Company is an American gas and electric utility holding company based in the southern United States. It is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with executive offices also located in Birmingham, Alabama.
Compare with Other HEALTHCARE PLANS Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?