Centene Corporation vs Merck & Company, Inc. — Stock Comparison
Centene Corporation (CNC) and Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) are both listed on US exchanges. This page compares their Q·Score ratings, key fundamentals (P/E, margins, growth), and Wall Street analyst consensus side by side. Data sourced from Yahoo Finance and updated on each page load.
Merck & Company, Inc. narrowly edges Centene Corporation on Q·Score (6.3 vs 5.7 out of 10), led by Sentiment (7.4 vs 5.4) and Quality (4.9 vs 3.6). Centene Corporation scores higher on Growth, reflecting stronger revenue and earnings momentum. Analyst consensus targets imply greater upside for CNC (+9.5%) than for MRK (-3.5%).
Price Performance
Normalised to 100 at period start — shows relative performance.
Q·Score Breakdown
Consistently beats earnings estimates (4/4 quarters).
⚠ currently unprofitable (-3% margin).
71% of 28 covering analysts have a positive rating.
⚠ weak profitability metrics drag quality score.
Analyst Consensus
Fundamentals
Frequently Asked Questions
CNC vs MRK: which stock scores better overall?
Based on Q·Score, Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) scores 6.3/10 versus Centene Corporation (CNC) at 5.7/10. The Q·Score measures five dimensions: Quality, Health, Growth, Valuation, and Sentiment. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.
Which has better revenue growth: CNC or MRK?
Centene Corporation (CNC) scores higher on Growth (6.7/10 vs 6.4/10). Centene Corporation reports revenue growth (4.6% YoY) while Merck & Company, Inc. reports (5.1% YoY). Growth scores reflect revenue and earnings momentum relative to sector peers.
Is CNC or MRK more attractively valued?
Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) scores higher on Valuation (6.5/10 vs 6.4/10). CNC trades at 12.3× P/E versus MRK at 16.0×. Valuation is assessed using P/E ratio, analyst price targets, and 52-week range positioning relative to sector peers.
What do analysts say about CNC vs MRK?
There are 18 analysts covering CNC with a consensus price target of $71.67, and 26 analysts covering MRK with a consensus target of $147.77. Analyst consensus ratings are aggregated from Wall Street research and do not constitute investment advice.
Which is more profitable: CNC or MRK?
Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) scores higher on Quality (4.9/10 vs 3.6/10). Net profit margin: CNC at -2.8%, MRK at 4.8%. Quality scores reflect profit margins, return on equity, and free cash flow generation.
Which has stronger financial health: CNC or MRK?
Centene Corporation (CNC) scores higher on Financial Health (7/10 vs 7/10). Market beta: CNC at 1.10, MRK at 0.21. Health scores consider beta, debt-to-equity, and current ratio. All investments carry risk — this is not investment advice.
What are the market caps of CNC and MRK?
Centene Corporation (CNC) has a market capitalisation of $32.3B, while Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) has a market cap of $377.7B. Market cap data is sourced from Yahoo Finance and reflects the most recent available figures.
Do CNC or MRK pay dividends?
CNC does not currently pay a dividend, while MRK pays a dividend yield of 2.17%. Dividend yields fluctuate with share price and company payout decisions.
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Q·Score is an educational tool and is not financial advice. Data provided by Yahoo Finance. Updated on each page load. How it's calculated →