Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today its 2014 financial guidance. Premium and service revenues are expected to be $13.5 billion to $14.0 billion, representing growth of 29%. Earnings per diluted share are expected to be $3.50 to $3.80, representing an increase of 29% compared to the updated 2013 guidance range of $2.81 to $2.87.
The Company anticipates its Kentucky operations will be classified as a discontinued operation in 2014. Accordingly, all information presented and included in this release for 2014 is from continuing operations and excludes our Kentucky business. We continue to discuss the Affordable Care Act insurer fee with our State customers. While we expect to be reimbursed for the fee, including any tax consequences, we have excluded the fee from our 2014 guidance numbers to allow better comparison between years. The 2014 guidance below also does not include the impact of the recently announced acquisition of a majority interest in U.S. Medical Management, LLC, expected to close in the first quarter of 2014.
For its 2014 fiscal year, the Company expects the following results from continuing operations:
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Premium and service revenues in the range of $13.5 billion to $14.0 billion.
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Earnings per diluted share of approximately $3.50 to $3.80.
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Consolidated Health Benefits Ratio of approximately 88.5% to 89.0%.
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Consolidated G&A expense ratio in the range of 8.3% to 8.8%.
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Effective tax rate, excluding non-controlling interest, of approximately 40% to 41%.
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Diluted shares outstanding of approximately 57.5 million to 58.0 million.
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Days in claims payable between 37 and 42.
The Company affirms its 2013 revenue guidance in the previously announced range for premium and service revenues of $10.6 billion to $10.8 billion and adjusts its guidance for earnings per diluted share to $2.81 to $2.87. Full year 2013 earnings will be reported on February 4, 2014, at 6:00 AM, with a conference call at 8:30 AM (Eastern Time).
Centene Corporation will host an investor meeting today, including a question-and-answer session, to discuss the details of its guidance. The meeting will begin promptly at 8:30 AM (Eastern Time) and end at approximately 11:00 AM (Eastern Time). Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and William N. Scheffel, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, of Centene Corporation will host the meeting before an audience of investors at the Convene conference center, 730 Third Avenue, in New York City.
Investors and other interested parties who are unable to attend in person are invited to listen to the investor meeting via a live, audio webcast on the Company's website at www.centene.com, under the Investors section.