Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) vs Centene Corporation (CNC)

A and CNC are evenly matched — 6 metrics each of 12.

A side-by-side comparison of Agilent Technologies, Inc. and Centene Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — A vs CNC

growth of $100 · last 24y
A +575.5%CNC +4448.1%CNC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020062011201620212026$676$4,548
A CNC

A vs CNC: by the numbers

  • A is the larger company ($36.67B vs $32.19B market cap).
  • A is profitable (19.55% net margin) while CNC runs a net loss (-3.25%).
  • CNC grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.48% vs 4.45% CAGR).
  • A pays a dividend (0.58% yield) while CNC does not currently pay one.

Which is better, A or CNC?

Metric tally: A 6 · CNC 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthCNC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityA(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricACNC
P/E ratio26.07
Forward P/E19.6914.49
P/S ratio5.100.16
P/B ratio5.181.51
PEG ratio9.41
EV / EBITDA19.58
FCF yield3.41%19.65%

Profitability

MetricACNC
Gross margin53.00%14.93%
Operating margin21.50%-3.68%
Net margin19.55%-3.25%
ROE19.85%-30.07%
ROIC12.57%-13.41%

Dividends

MetricACNC
Dividend yield0.58%
Payout ratio16.36%

Growth (annualized)

MetricACNC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.45%11.48%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.52%14.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)0.05%5.28%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-1.34%-1.64%

Frequently asked

Which is better, A or CNC?
It depends on your goal. growth: CNC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: A (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
Which has grown faster, A or CNC?
Over the past five years, CNC grew revenue faster — A at a 4.45% CAGR versus CNC at 11.48%.
Does A or CNC pay a bigger dividend?
A pays a dividend (0.58% yield) while CNC does not currently pay one.
Is A or CNC more profitable?
A runs the higher net margin — A at 19.55% versus CNC at -3.25%.
Which has been the better investment, A or CNC?
Over the past 10-year, A delivered the higher annualized total return — A at 11.94% versus CNC at 6.74%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.