Centene (NYSE:CNC) shares rose more than 11% since the company’s reported Q3 results on Tuesday, with EPS of $1.30 coming in better than the Street estimate of $1.23. Revenue was $35.87 billion, compared to the Street estimate of $35.49 billion.
Despite the incremental headwind from FL’s 4.5% rate cut, the company slightly tweaked the 2022 guidance higher to $5.65—5.75 (vs $5.60— 5.75 prior), compared to the Street estimate of $5.73. 2022 revenue is expected to be in the range of $142.7-144.7 billion, compared to the Street estimate of $143.7 billion. Additionally, the company blessed the 2023 consensus ($6.34 currently).
The company intends to focus on MA margin expansion in 2023 as it prepares for 2024 but still expects low-to-mid-single-digit membership growth.