Of 19 brokerages covering Centene stock, 15 have a Buy or Strong Buy rating and another three rate the shares at Hold. At a price of around $72.40 a share, the implied gain based on a median price target of $100.00 is 38.1%. At the high price target of $110.00, the upside potential is about 51.9%.
The consensus estimate for fourth-quarter revenue is $35.37 billion, down 1.4% sequentially but 8.6% higher year over year. Adjusted EPS are forecast at $0.84, down 35.7% sequentially and by 16.8% year over year. For the 2022 fiscal year, analysts expect Centene to report EPS of $5.74, up 11.4%, on sales of $144.51 billion, up 14.7%.
Centene’s shares trade at 12.6 times expected 2022 EPS, 11.4 times estimated 2023 earnings of $6.37 and 9.9 times estimated 2024 earnings of $7.33 per share. The stock’s 52-week range is $71.94 to $98.53. Centene does not pay a dividend. The total shareholder return for the past year was negative 11.4%.
Linde
Since posting a 52-week low in September, Linde PLC (NYSE: LIN), the world’s largest industrial gas company, has added about 19.6% to its share price. Among the smorgasbord of chemicals the company produces, the most interesting may be green hydrogen. The U.K.-based company’s market cap is nearly $161 billion and its green hydrogen plant near Niagara Falls is expected to begin producing hydrogen in 2025.
No analyst has a Sell rating on the stock, and 22 of the 24 brokerages covering the stock have Buy or Strong Buy ratings. At a share price of around $326.60, the upside potential based on a median price target of $366.00 is 12.1%. At the high target of $402.00, the upside potential is 23.1%.
Linde is expected to report fourth-quarter revenue of $8.48 billion, down 3.6% sequentially but up 2.2% year over year. Adjusted EPS are forecast at $2.89, down 6.84% sequentially and 4.3% higher year over year. For the full year, analysts expect the company to report EPS of $12.02, up 12.5%, on sales of $33.98 billion, up 10.4%.
The stock trades at of 27.2 times expected 2022 EPS, 25.3 times estimated 2023 earnings of $12.92 and 22.8 times estimated 2024 earnings of $12.92 per share. The stock’s 52-week range is $262.47 to $347.30. Linde pays an annual dividend of $4.68 (yield of 1.41%), and total return to shareholders for the past year was 6.38%.
Originally published at 24/7 Wall St.
Sponsored: Tips for Investing
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.
