Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Common Share

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share ($ in millions, except per share data in dollars and shares in thousands):

		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2023		2022		2023		2022
Earnings attributable to Centene Corporation		$	469	$	738	$	2,657	$	1,415
Shares used in computing per share amounts:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		539,535		573,961		546,374		580,277
Common stock equivalents (as determined by applying the treasury stock method) (1)		1,735		6,646		2,038		6,807
Weighted average number of common shares and potential dilutive common shares outstanding		541,270		580,607		548,412		587,084
Net earnings per common share attributable to Centene Corporation:
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.87	$	1.29	$	4.86	$	2.44
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.87	$	1.27	$	4.85	$	2.41
(1)	The reduction in common stock equivalents is primarily driven by the distribution of long-term stock awards to the estate of the Company's former CEO during the first quarter of 2023, which were fully dilutive prior to their distribution.