Centene Beats Estimates (CNC)

St. Louis, Missouri-based Centene Corporation CNC announced on Tuesday morning that it beat consensus Wall Street estimates. Centene Corporation reported that its 4th quarter net earnings rose to $25.4 million, or 50 cents per share, up from $23.7 million, or 53 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding special items, the company's earnings from continuing operations came in at 50 cents per share. Centene Corporation reported revenue of $1.18 billion, up from $1.09 billion a year earlier. According to a survey of analysts by Thomson Reuters, the average Wall Street estimate called for earnings of 48 cents per share, on revenue of $1.13 billion. The company forecast full-year 2011 earnings in the range of $2.00 to $2.10 per share. Centene Corporation (CNC) closed the previous trading day at $27.75 per share. Analysts covering the company's stock give it a consensus price target of $27.00 per share. Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Read more from Benzinga's Company news.