---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001071739-26-000099"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CNC"
cik: "0001071739"
company_name: "CENTENE CORP"
filed_at: "2026-04-28T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T02:42:31.334438+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Centene Q1 2026 GAAP EPS $3.11, Adjusted EPS $3.37; Raises 2026 Guidance

## Summary
- GAAP diluted EPS $3.11, adjusted diluted EPS $3.37 (~$0.50 above expectations).
- 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance raised to greater than $3.40 (from prior).
- Total revenues $49.9B, premium & service revenues $44.7B (+5% YoY).
- Consolidated HBR 87.3% (down 20 bps); Medicaid HBR 93.1%, Medicare HBR 84.9%.
- Reduced debt by $1.0B during Q1; total debt $16.4B, no revolver drawn.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001071739-26-000099
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CNC
- cik: 0001071739
- company_name: CENTENE CORP
- filed_at: 2026-04-28T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1071739/000107173926000099/0001071739-26-000099-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1071739/000107173926000099/cnc-20260428.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001071739-26-000099
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001071739-26-000099.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001071739-26-000099.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  CENTENE CORP reported first quarter ended March 31, 2026 results: revenue $ 49,944, EPS $ 3.11. Guidance raised.
  - Period: first quarter ended March 31, 2026
  - Revenue: $ 49,944
  - EPS: $ 3.11
  - Guidance: raised
  - Result: reported results
  source text: announced today its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. In summary, the 2026 first quarter results were as follows: Total revenues (in millions) $ 49,944 Premium and service revenues (in millions) $ 44,655 Health benefits ratio 87.3 % SG&A expense ratio 7.6 % Adjusted SG&A expense ratio (1) 7.6 % GAAP diluted earnings per share $
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1071739/000107173926000099/0001071739-26-000099-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.