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Centene (CNC) has moved back into focus after being highlighted for its earnings expectations, an attractive valuation profile, and exposure to growing ICHRA-driven individual coverage through its Ambetter Health Solutions business. Centene’s recent momentum has been hard to ignore, with a 90 day share price return of 9.96% feeding into a 60.60% year to date gain and a 1 year total shareholder return of 108.58%. This suggests investors are reassessing both its earnings profile and perceived...

eHealth says surging 2027 health costs are pushing smaller employers toward ICHRAs, potentially expanding individual coverage demand.

Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.

SNDR, NESR and CNC made it to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) growth stocks list on September 18th, 2026.

CNC's profitability is recovering, but rising margins face a key test as Medicaid membership declines and eligibility reviews continue.

Avnet, Centene, Signet and Lifetime Brands stand out as value plays as Fed tightening keeps focus on cash flow and discounted valuations.

Centene's diversified market presence, cash generation and recent share gains give it an edge over Oscar Health as ACA insurers target long-term growth.

UnitedHealth's repair job is going to plan almost everywhere. The exception is the cost of its commercial health plans, where medical costs are running modestly above the 11% the company had been expecting. Medicare costs are coming in below what it planned for 2026, and Medicaid cost trend is in line, though management expects Medicaid margins to stay pressured for 2026. That cost divergence is what a holder should watch.

IQV's accelerating organic growth, robust R&DS bookings and expanding AI adoption are strengthening demand visibility and business momentum.

Oscar Health raised its full-year earnings outlook while lowering its expected medical costs to cover benefits for its nearly 3 million Affordable Care Act exchange members. Oscar, which made an aggressive play to gain ACA market share, has seen enrollment surge 47% from a year ago as of June 30, even as overall enrollment has plunged due to the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies. The ACA's No. 2 insurer by membership behind Centene said that it now expects its medical loss ratio, or benefit costs as a share of premiums, to be in the 81% to 82% range, down from the prior outlook of 81.5% to 82.5%.

THC, NESR and CNC made it to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) growth stocks list on September 16th, 2026.

Stocks like THG, ACIW, BP and CNC are seeing price strength and have a high chance of carrying the momentum forward.

TFX, CNC, ENS, ROCK and FAF stand out among five low P/B stocks offering attractive value and promising growth prospects.

Centene (CNC) is at a 52-week high, but can investors hope for more gains in the future? We take a look at the company's fundamentals for clues.

ADM, COCO, AMGN and CNC offer defensive exposure as inflation, oil prices and weak consumer sentiment fuel market volatility.

CNC's and ADM's strong 2026 guidance, estimate revisions and attractive valuations offer fresh reasons to watch these non-AI stocks.

UnitedHealth (UNH) has spent the past year repairing margins rather than chasing growth. The shares rebounded well ahead of any actual margin recovery: up about 38% over the past six months, though down about 6% over the past three, and still behind the S&P 500 over the past twelve months, 12.2% for the stock against 18.6% for the index. What argues for owning them now shows up in cash running ahead of reported profit.

THC's shares are gaining on higher-acuity demand, strong commercial revenues and USPI's continued expansion.

AMGN, BHC, CDNA and CNC offer defensive healthcare plays as inflation climbs and the Fed readies for a possible rate hike.

BP, NESR and CNC made it to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) growth stocks list on September 14th, 2026.

CNC is set to reshape its Medicare Advantage business around dual-eligible members and a simpler footprint to drive margin recovery.

Elevance Health (ELV) has returned more than 40% over the past six months, though it is down 6.5% over the past three while the S&P 500 gained 3.4%. The next leg will not come from selling more insurance. It will come from keeping more of the premium it already collects.

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX ) (SPY ) is down -0.54% today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI ) (DIA ) is down -0.32%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX ) (QQQ ) is down -0.96%. E-mini S&P futures (ESU26 ) are down -0.50%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU26...

Centene has outpaced the healthcare sector, and analysts remain moderately optimistic about the stock’s outlook.

CNC, ATI and SANM made it to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) growth stocks list on September 10, 2026.

UnitedHealth (UNH) runs the best operating margin of the three managed care companies in its peer group, and the slowest revenue growth of the three. It also carries a significant valuation premium over its peer, Cigna, trading at more than double its earnings multiple.

UNH is investing nearly $1.5B in AI to expand Optum Insight's software offerings, boost efficiency and unlock new growth opportunities.

Humana has outperformed the broader Dow Jones index over the past year. Moreover, Wall Street analysts remain moderately optimistic about its prospects.

The low valuation multiples for value stocks provide a margin of safety that growth stocks rarely offer. However, the challenge lies in determining whether these cheap assets are genuinely undervalued or simply on sale due to their potentially deteriorating business models.

Beazer Homes, Centene, HP, ChargePoint and Cracker Barrel stand out as broker-favored picks amid geopolitical tensions, inflation and market uncertainty.