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Mar 31, 2021

Centene Q1 2021 Earnings Report

Centene reported solid revenue and earnings growth in Q1 2021 and increased its full-year guidance.

Key Takeaways

Centene Corporation announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021, reporting diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.19 and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.63. The company is increasing its full-year guidance, driven by the positive first quarter momentum.

Managed care membership of 25.1 million, an increase of 1.3 million members, or 5%, compared to March 31, 2020.

Total revenues of $30.0 billion, representing 15% growth compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Diluted EPS of $1.19, compared to diluted EPS of $0.08 for the first quarter of 2020.

Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.63, compared to $0.86 for the first quarter of 2020.

Total Revenue
$30B
Previous year: $26B
+15.2%
EPS
$1.63
Previous year: $0.86
+89.5%
SG&A Expense Ratio
8.4%
Previous year: 9.9%
-15.2%
Adjusted SG&A Expense Ratio
8.1%
Previous year: 8.6%
-5.8%
Gross Profit
$3.62B
Previous year: $3.16B
+14.6%
Cash and Equivalents
$9.63B
Previous year: $9.31B
+3.4%
Free Cash Flow
-$144M
Previous year: -$417M
-65.5%
Total Assets
$70.3B
Previous year: $66.4B
+5.8%

Centene

Centene

Centene Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

The Company's annual guidance for 2021 is as follows: Total revenues (in billions) $120.1 - $122.1, GAAP diluted EPS $3.68 - $3.90, Adjusted diluted EPS $5.05 - $5.35, HBR 87.1% - 87.7%, SG&A expense ratio 8.4% - 8.9%, Adjusted SG&A expense ratio 8.3% - 8.8%, Effective tax rate 24.7% - 26.7%, Diluted shares outstanding (in millions) 589.0 - 592.0.

Positive Outlook

  • ongoing suspension of Medicaid eligibility redeterminations to August 1
  • extensions of the California pharmacy services to July 1 and New York pharmacy services through 2022
  • Marketplace special enrollment period
  • recent Oklahoma contract awards
  • Medicare membership, sequestration, and the fee schedule increase

Challenges Ahead

  • updated expectations regarding state premium rate adjustments
  • updated expectations regarding state risk sharing mechanisms
  • impact of COVID-19 on global markets
  • impact of COVID-19 on economic conditions
  • impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare industry

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income