Centene Corporation reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017. For the quarter, the company's total revenues were $11,898 million against $10,846 million a year ago. Earnings from operations were $340 million against $342 million a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations, before income tax expense were $326 million against $318 million a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense were $201 million against $149 million a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense attributable to company common shareholders were $205 million against $148 million a year ago. Net earnings attributable to company common shareholders were $205 million against $147 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $1.16 against $0.84 a year ago. Diluted earnings per common share were $1.16 against $0.84 a year ago. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations were $239 million against $196 million a year ago. Adjusted Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1.35 against $1.12 a year ago. Total cash flows provided by operations were $97 million. The increase in revenue was primarily a result of growth in the Health Insurance Marketplace business in 2017 and expansions and new programs in many states in 2016 and 2017. This was partially offset by the moratorium of the Health Insurer Fee in 2017, lower membership in the commercial business in California as a result of margin improvement actions taken last year, and the addition of a competitor in Georgia. Sequentially, total revenues remained relatively consistent with the second quarter of 2017.

For the nine months, the company's total revenues were $35,576 million against $28,696 million a year ago. Earnings from operations were $1,018 million against $739 million a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations, before income tax expense were $966 million against $677 million a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense were $585 million against $305 million a year ago. Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense attributable to company common shareholders were $598 million against $304 million a year ago. Net earnings attributable to company common shareholders were $598 million against $301 million a year ago. Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $3.39 against $1.90 a year ago. Diluted earnings per common share were $3.39 against $1.88 a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,039 million against $259 million a year ago. Capital expenditures were $301 million against $211 million a year ago. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations were $716 million against $517 million a year ago. Adjusted Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $4.06 against $3.23 a year ago.

For the year 2017, the company expects total revenue in the range of $47.4 billion to $48.2 billion; GAAP diluted EPS in the range of $4.04 to $4.18; adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $4.86 to $5.04; and effective tax rate in the range of 39.0% to 41.0%.