Centene Corporation (CNC) vs IQVIA Holdings Inc. (IQV)
IQV leads on 8 of 13 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Centene Corporation and IQVIA Holdings Inc. 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 — CNC vs IQV
growth of $100 · last 13yCNC +415.1%IQV +328.1%CNC compounded faster
CNC IQV
CNC vs IQV: by the numbers
- •CNC is the larger company ($32.19B vs $30.29B market cap).
- •IQV is profitable (8.33% net margin) while CNC runs a net loss (-3.25%).
- •CNC grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.48% vs 6.72% CAGR).
Which is better, CNC or IQV?
Metric tally: CNC 5 · IQV 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthCNC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityIQV(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CNC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | — | 22.49 |
| Forward P/E | 14.49 | 12.82● |
| P/S ratio | 0.16● | 1.85 |
| P/B ratio | 1.51● | 4.95 |
| PEG ratio | — | 6.34 |
| EV / EBITDA | — | 8.79 |
| FCF yield | 19.65%● | 8.67% |
Profitability
| Metric | CNC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 14.93% | 26.11%● |
| Operating margin | -3.68% | 13.86%● |
| Net margin | -3.25% | 8.33%● |
| ROE | -30.07% | 22.26%● |
| ROIC | -13.41% | 8.23%● |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.48%● | 6.72% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.68% | 40.21%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 5.28% | 5.56%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -1.64%● | -5.71% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CNC or IQV?
- It depends on your goal. growth: CNC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: IQV (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IQV leads 8 to 5.
- Which has grown faster, CNC or IQV?
- Over the past five years, CNC grew revenue faster — CNC at a 11.48% CAGR versus IQV at 6.72%.
- Is CNC or IQV more profitable?
- IQV runs the higher net margin — CNC at -3.25% versus IQV at 8.33%.
- Which has been the better investment, CNC or IQV?
- Over the past 10-year, IQV delivered the higher annualized total return — CNC at 6.74% versus IQV at 10.71%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Centene P/E ratioIQVIA P/E ratioCentene dividend yieldIQVIA dividend yieldCentene ROEIQVIA ROECentene operating marginIQVIA operating marginCentene revenue growthIQVIA revenue growthCentene free cash flowIQVIA free cash flow
Centene & IQVIA appear in these rankings
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.