Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the health insurance providers stocks, including Centene (NYSE: CNC) and its peers.

Upfront premiums collected by health insurers lead to reliable revenue, but profitability ultimately depends on accurate risk assessments and the ability to control medical costs. Health insurers are also highly sensitive to regulatory changes and economic conditions such as unemployment. Going forward, the industry faces tailwinds from an aging population, increasing demand for personalized healthcare services, and advancements in data analytics to improve cost management. However, continued regulatory scrutiny on pricing practices, the potential for government-led reforms such as expanded public healthcare options, and inflation in medical costs could add volatility to margins. One big debate among investors is the long-term impact of AI and whether it will help underwriting, fraud detection, and claims processing or whether it may wade into ethical grey areas like reinforcing biases and widening disparities in medical care.

The 12 health insurance providers stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.8% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 11.9% since the latest earnings results.

Centene (NYSE: CNC)

Serving nearly 1 in 15 Americans through its government healthcare programs, Centene (NYSE: CNC) is a healthcare company that manages government-sponsored health insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare for low-income and complex-needs populations.

Centene reported revenues of $49.73 billion, up 21.9% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 3%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

"We are pleased to end a challenging year carrying positive momentum from the extensive and decisive actions taken in the back half of 2025 with the goal of restoring Marketplace profitability and stabilizing the trajectory of our Medicaid business," said Chief Executive Officer of Centene, Sarah M. London.

The stock is down 18% since reporting and currently trades at $32.73.

Read our full report on Centene here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Clover Health (NASDAQ: CLOV)

Founded in 2014 to improve healthcare for America's seniors through technology, Clover Health (NASDAQ: CLOV) provides Medicare Advantage plans for seniors with a focus on affordable care and uses its proprietary Clover Assistant software to help physicians manage patient care.

Clover Health reported revenues of $487.7 million, up 44.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. The business had a strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and EPS in line with analysts’ estimates.

Clover Health delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The company added 4,577 customers to reach a total of 113,803. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 14.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $1.83.

Is now the time to buy Clover Health? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Molina Healthcare (NYSE: MOH)

Founded in 1980 as a provider for underserved communities in Southern California, Molina Healthcare (NYSE: MOH) provides managed healthcare services primarily to low-income individuals through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace insurance programs across 21 states.

Molina Healthcare reported revenues of $11.38 billion, up 8.3% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 3.7%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 20.1% since the results and currently trades at $141.26.

Read our full analysis of Molina Healthcare’s results here.

Alignment Healthcare (NASDAQ: ALHC)

Founded in 2013 with a mission to transform healthcare for seniors, Alignment Healthcare (NASDAQ: ALHC) provides Medicare Advantage health plans for seniors with features like concierge services, transportation benefits, and technology-driven care coordination.

Alignment Healthcare reported revenues of $1.01 billion, up 44.4% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 1%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but revenue guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

The company added 6,700 customers to reach a total of 236,300. The stock is down 13.9% since reporting and currently trades at $17.58.

Read our full, actionable report on Alignment Healthcare here, it’s free.

Cencora (NYSE: COR)

Formerly known as AmerisourceBergen until its 2023 rebranding, Cencora (NYSE: COR) is a global pharmaceutical distribution company that connects manufacturers with healthcare providers while offering logistics, data analytics, and consulting services.

Cencora reported revenues of $85.93 billion, up 5.5% year on year. This result missed analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged a narrow beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Cencora had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 9.7% since reporting and currently trades at $326.74.

Read our full, actionable report on Cencora here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.