CENTENE CORPORATION REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2026 RESULTS - Centene

What the report says

Centene Corporation reported stronger second-quarter 2026 earnings and raised its full-year outlook, according to a July 28 press release from the St. Louis-based health insurer. For the quarter ended June 30, the company posted GAAP diluted earnings per share of $2.19 and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.51. Total revenue was $53.6 billion, while premium and service revenue rose 4% from a year earlier to $44.4 billion.

The company said its health benefits ratio improved to 89.6%, down from 93.0% in the prior-year quarter. Centene reported segment ratios of 79.2% in Commercial, 89.5% in Medicare and 93.9% in Medicaid. It attributed the overall improvement to factors including Marketplace pricing and risk adjustment, Medicaid rate and revenue increases, management of medical cost trends, and Medicare-related program effects. Chief Executive Sarah M. London said the results and higher outlook marked progress toward restoring profitability and improving shareholder value.

Membership declined year over year, with total at-risk membership at 25.9 million as of June 30, compared with 28.0 million a year earlier. Medicaid membership fell to 12.1 million, and total Commercial membership dropped to 4.0 million, while Medicare prescription drug plan membership increased to 8.8 million. Centene also reported $3.6 billion in operating cash flow for the quarter and $44.8 billion in cash, investments and restricted deposits at quarter-end.

For 2026, Centene raised its revenue guidance to a range of $193.5 billion to $197.5 billion and premium and service revenue guidance to $173.0 billion to $177.0 billion. It now expects GAAP diluted EPS above $3.11 and adjusted diluted EPS above $4.80, citing underlying business strength as well as about $0.50 in non-recurring Medicare and Commercial items.