The Cigna Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and related products and services in the United States. Its Evernorth Health Services segment provides a range of coordinated and point solution health services, including pharmacy benefits, home delivery pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, distribution, and care delivery and management solutions to health plans, employers, government organizations, and health care providers. The company's Cigna Healthcare segment offers medical, pharmacy, behavioral health, dental, and other products and services for insured and self-insured customers; Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D plans for seniors, as well as individual health insurance plans; and health care coverage in its international markets, as well as health care benefits for mobile individuals and employees of multinational organizations. In addition, it offers permanent insurance contracts sold to corporations to provide coverage on the lives of certain employees for financing employer-paid future benefit obligations. The company distributes its products and services through insurance brokers and consultants; directly to employers, unions and other groups, or individuals; and private and public exchanges. The company was formerly known as Cigna Corporation and changed its name to The Cigna Group in February 2023. The Cigna Group was founded in 1792 and is headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

The Cigna Group

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) Thursday closed up +0.54%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +0.52%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up +0.74%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) rose +0.59%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) rose +0.77%.
Stocks rallied on Thursday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indexes posting new record highs. Signs that the US economy is holding up, despite tariff uncertainty, boosted stocks. Positive economic news Thursday included a decline in weekly jobless claims to a 3-month low, a stronger-than-expected retail sales report, and a rise in the Philadelphia Fed index to a 5-month high.
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Stocks added to their gains Thursday afternoon on dovish comments from San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, who said the most recent set of rate projections from Fed officials, issued in June, offered a "reasonable outlook" in pointing to two 25 bp rate cuts by year's end. She added that the Fed should not wait too long before moving on rates, because if they wait until inflation is 2%, they've "likely injured the economy in some way that was completely unnecessary."
On the negative side, health insurers retreated on Thursday, led by a -12% plunge in Elevance Health after the company cut its earnings outlook for the year. Also, hawkish comments from Fed Governor Adriana Kugler were bearish for stocks when she said the Fed should keep interest rates on hold "for some time," citing accelerating inflation as tariffs start to boost prices.
US weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell -7,000 to a 3-month low of 221,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of an increase to 233,000.
US June retail sales rose +0.6% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.1% m/m, and June retail sales ex-autos rose +0.5% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m.
The US June import price index ex-petroleum was unchanged m/m, weaker than expectations of +0.2% m/m.
The US July Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey rose +19.9 to a 5-month high of 15.9, stronger than expectations of -1.0.
The US July NAHB housing market index rose +1 to 33, right on expectations.
On the trade front, President Trump said late Wednesday that he intends to send a tariff letter to more than 150 countries notifying them their tariff rates could be 10% or 15%, effective August 1, and that the group was "not big countries who don't do that much business with the US."
Also, signs that the US could ease some of its export restrictions on semiconductor chips to China are bullish for chip makers. Commerce Secretary Lutnick said Nvidia could soon resume sales of its less advanced H20 chips to China, and Advanced Micro Devices received similar assurances from the Commerce Department, a sign that the US may be in the process of negotiating a grand trade deal with China. Treasury Secretary Bessent is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, within "the next couple of weeks" and signaled the US will likely extend an August 12 deadline for the easing of sky-high tariffs.
However, stocks were undercut by negative trade news that emerged last week and during this past weekend. Over the weekend, President Trump announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on US imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. Mr. Trump said last Thursday that a 35% tariff on some Canadian products would take effect on August 1, up from the current 25%. Last week, Mr. Trump imposed a 50% tariff on copper imports, which will include semi-finished goods, and stated that drug companies could face tariffs as high as 200% on imports if they don't relocate production to the US within the next year.
Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 3% at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting and 58% at the following meeting on September 16-17.
The markets will focus on any fresh news regarding tariffs or trade deals during the remainder of this week. On Friday, June housing starts are expected to climb +3.6% m/m to 1.300 million, and June building permits are expected to slip -0.5% m/m to 1.387 million. Also, the University of Michigan's US July consumer sentiment index is expected to climb +0.8 to 61.5.
Earnings season began in earnest this week with a focus on big bank earnings results. The consensus is for S&P 500 companies to show Q2 earnings growth of +2.8% y/y, the smallest increase in two years, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Also, only six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are projected to post an increase in earnings, the fewest since Q1 of 2023, according to Yardeni Research.
Overseas stock markets on Thursday settled higher. The Euro Stoxx 50 closed up +1.49%. China's Shanghai Composite closed up +0.37%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 closed up +0.60%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) on Thursday closed down -3.5 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield rose +0.8 bp to 4.463%. T-notes on Thursday posted modest losses following stronger-than-expected US economic news, including June retail sales, weekly initial unemployment claims, and the July Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey, which signaled a hawkish tone for Fed policy. Also, Thursday's rally in the S&P 500 to a new all-time high reduced safe-haven demand for T-notes. In addition, hawkish comments from Fed Governor Adriana Kugler weighed on T-notes when she said the Fed should keep interest rates on hold "for some time." Finally, rising inflation expectations undercut T-notes when the 10-year breakeven inflation rate rose to a 4.75-month high of 2.450% on Thursday.
Losses in T-notes were limited Thursday on carryover support from late Wednesday when President Trump said he has "no plans" on firing Fed Chair Powell. T-notes also found support on signs of easing price pressures after Thursday's news showed the June import price index ex-petroleum rose less than expected.
European government bond yields on Thursday were mixed. The 10-year German bund yield fell -1.3 bp to 2.675%. The 10-year UK gilt yield rose to a 6-week high of 4.678% and finished up +1.7 bp to 4.655%.
Swaps are discounting the chances at 1% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the July 24 policy meeting.
US Stock Movers
United Airlines Holdings (UAL) closed up more than +3% to lead airline stocks higher after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable and the company has potential "upside" to beat its earnings targets as customers returned to booking flights. Also, Alaska Air Group (ALK) closed up more than +3% and American Airlines Group (AAL) closed up more than +2%. In addition, Delta Air Lines (DAL) closed up more than +1%.
PepsiCo (PEP) closed up more than +7% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 net revenue of $22.73 billion, above the consensus of $22.32 billion.
Snap-on (SNA) closed up more than +7% after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.18 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.16 billion.
Steven Madden Ltd (SHOO) closed up more than +6% after Citigroup upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $32.
CSX Corp (CSX) closed up more than +4% after Semafor reported that Union Pacific is exploring an acquisition of the company.
Travelers Cos (TRV) closed up more than +3% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials after reporting Q1 core EPS of $6.51, well above the consensus of $3.60.
Mondelez International (MDLZ) closed up more than +3% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $78.
Health insurance providers are sliding today, led by a -12% plunge in Elevance Health (ELV) to lead losers in the S&P 500 after cutting its earnings outlook for the year to "approximately" $30 per share, well below a previous forecast of $34.15 to $34.85 per share. Also, Molina Healthcare (MOH) closed down more than -5% and Centene (CNC) closed down more than -4%. In addition, Cigna Group (CI) closed down more than -2% and Humana (HUM) closed down more than -1%. Finally, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) closed down more than -1% to lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrials.
Sonic Automotive (SAH) closed down -10% after JPMorgan Chase downgraded the stock to underweight from overweight with a price target of $72.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) closed down more than -8% after reporting Q2 organic sales of +6.90%, below the consensus of +7.03% and forecasting full-year organic sales of +6% to +7%, weaker than the consensus of +7.37%.
Starwood Property Trust (STWD) closed down more than -5% after selling over 25.5 million shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering overnight between $19.91 to $20.33 a share, below Wednesday's closing price of $20.85.
Shake Shack (SHAK) closed down more than -1% after Jeffries downgraded the stock to underperform from hold with a price target of $120.
Zoetis (ZTS) closed down -1% after Leerink Partners downgraded the stock to market perform from outperform.
Earnings Reports (7/18/2025)
3M Co (MMM), Ally Financial Inc (ALLY), American Express Co (AXP), Charles Schwab Corp/The (SCHW), Comerica Inc (CMA), Euronet Worldwide Inc (EEFT), Huntington Bancshares Inc/OH (HBAN), MarketAxess Holdings Inc (MKTX), Regions Financial Corp (RF), Schlumberger NV (SLB), Southern Copper Corp (SCCO), Truist Financial Corp (TFC).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Rally to Record Highs on a Resilient US Economy

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.25%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.19%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +0.47%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are up +0.25%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are up +0.51%.
Stocks are climbing today on signs the US economy is holding up, despite tariff uncertainty. Positive economic news today included a decline in weekly jobless claims to a 3-month low, a stronger-than-expected retail sales report, and a rise in the Philadelphia Fed index to a 5-month high.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
Strength in airline stocks is also lifting the broader market, as United Airlines Holdings jumped more than 3% after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable and the company has potential “upside” to beat its earnings targets, as customers return to booking flights.
On the negative side, health insurers are retreating today, led by an -11% plunge in Elevance Health after the company cut its earnings outlook for the year. Also, hawkish comments from Fed Governor Adriana Kugler were bearish for stocks when she said the Fed should keep interest rates on hold “for some time,” citing accelerating inflation as tariffs start to boost prices.
US weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell -7,000 to a 3-month low of 221,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of an increase to 233,000.
US June retail sales rose +0.6% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.1% m/m, and June retail sales ex-autos rose +0.5% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m.
The US June import price index ex-petroleum was unchanged m/m, weaker than expectations of +0.2% m/m.
The US July Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey rose +19.9 to a 5-month high of 15.9, stronger than expectations of -1.0.
The US July NAHB housing market index rose +1 to 33, right on expectations.
On the trade front, President Trump said late Wednesday that he intends to send a tariff letter to more than 150 countries notifying them their tariff rates could be 10% or 15%, effective August 1, and that the group was “not big countries who don’t do that much business with the US.”
Also, signs that the US could ease some of its export restrictions on semiconductor chips to China are bullish for chip makers. Commerce Secretary Lutnick said Nvidia could soon resume sales of its less advanced H20 chips to China, and Advanced Micro Devices received similar assurances from the Commerce Department, a sign that the US may be in the process of negotiating a grand trade deal with China. Treasury Secretary Bessent is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, within “the next couple of weeks” and signaled the US will likely extend an August 12 deadline for the easing of sky-high tariffs.
However, stocks were undercut by negative trade news that emerged last week and during this past weekend. Over the weekend, President Trump announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on US imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. Mr. Trump said last Thursday that a 35% tariff on some Canadian products would take effect on August 1, up from the current 25%. Last week, Mr. Trump imposed a 50% tariff on copper imports, which will include semi-finished goods, and stated that drug companies could face tariffs as high as 200% on imports if they don’t relocate production to the US within the next year.
Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 3% at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting and 58% at the following meeting on Sep 16-17.
The markets will focus on any fresh news regarding tariffs or trade deals during the remainder of this week. Later today, the July NAHB housing market index is expected to rise +1 to 33. On Friday, June housing starts are expected to climb +3.3% m/m to 1.298 million, and June building permits are expected to slip -0.6% m/m to 1.386 million. Also, the University of Michigan’s US July consumer sentiment index is expected to climb +0.8 to 61.5.
Earnings season began in earnest this week with a focus on big bank earnings results. The consensus is for S&P 500 companies to show Q2 earnings growth of +2.8% y/y, the smallest increase in two years, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Also, only six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are projected to post an increase in earnings, the fewest since Q1 of 2023, according to Yardeni Research.
Overseas stock markets today are higher. The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +1.23%. China’s Shanghai Composite closed up +0.37%. Japan’s Nikkei Stock 225 closed up +0.60%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) today are up +3 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is down -2.4 bp to 4.431%. T-notes recovered from early losses today and moved higher on carryover support from late Wednesday when President Trump said he has “no plans” on firing Fed Chair Powell. T-notes also found support on signs of easing price pressures after today’s news showed the June import price index ex-petroleum rose less than expected.
T-notes initially moved lower today on stronger-than-expected US economic news, including June retail sales, weekly initial unemployment claims, and the July Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey, which signaled strength in the US economy that was hawkish for Fed policy. Also, strength in stocks today has reduced safe-haven demand for T-notes. In addition, hawkish comments from Fed Governor Adriana Kugler limited gains in T-notes when she said the Fed should keep interest rate on hold “for some time.”
European government bond yields today are moving lower. The 10-year German bund yield is down -2.0 bp to 2.667%. The 10-year UK gilt yield fell from a 6-week high of 4.678% and is down -0.1 bp to 4.638%.
Swaps are discounting the chances at 1% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the July 24 policy meeting.
US Stock Movers
United Airlines Holdings (UAL) is up more than +3% to lead airline stocks higher after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable and the company has potential “upside” to beat its earnings targets as customers returned to booking flights. Also, Alaska Air Group (ALK) is up more than +3% and American Airlines Group (AAL) is up more than +2%. In addition, Delta Air Lines (DAL) is up more than +1%.
PepsiCo (PEP) is up more than +6% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 net revenue of $22.73 billion, above the consensus of $22.32 billion.
Snap-on (SNA) is up more than +5% after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.18 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.16 billion.
CSX Corp (CSX) is up more than +2% after Semafor reported that Union Pacific is exploring an acquisition of the company.
Steven Madden Ltd (SHOO) is up more than +5% after Citigroup upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $32.
Travelers Cos (TRV) is up more than +2% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials after reporting Q1 core EPS of $6.51, well above the consensus of $3.60.
Mondelez International (MDLZ) is up more than +2% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $78.
Health insurance providers are sliding today, led by an -11% plunge in Elevance Health (ELV) to lead losers in the S&P 500 after cutting its earnings outlook for the year to “approximately” $30 per share, well below a previous forecast of $34.15 to $34.85 per share. Also, Molina Healthcare (MOH) is down more than -3%. In addition, Humana (HUM), Centene (CNC), and Cigna Group (CI) are down more than -2%. Finally, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is down more than -1% to lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrials.
Sonic Automotive (SAH) is down more than -8% after JPMorgan Chase downgraded the stock to underweight from overweight with a price target of $72.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) is down more than -7% after reporting Q2 organic sales of +6.90%, below the consensus of +7.03% and forecasting full-year organic sales of +6% to +7%, weaker than the consensus of +7.37%.
Starwood Property Trust (STWD) is down more than -4% after selling over 25.5 million shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering overnight between $19.91 to $20.33 a share, below Wednesday’s closing price of $20.85.
Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) is down more than -2% after President Trump said Coca-Cola has agreed to use “real cane sugar” in Coke soda in the US, which could reduce demand for ADM’s corn syrup and hurt its corn-processing business.
Shake Shack (SHAK) is down more than -2% after Jeffries downgraded the stock to underperform from hold with a price target of $120.
MP Materials (MP) is down more than -1% after it said it commenced a $500 million underwritten public offering of its common stock to fund its expansion.
Earnings Reports (7/17/2025)
PepsiCo Inc (PEP), Travelers Cos Inc/The (TRV), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Elevance Health Inc (ELV), Cintas Corp (CTAS), Marsh & McLennan Cos Inc (MMC), US Bancorp (USB), Snap-on Inc (SNA), General Electric Co (GE), Citizens Financial Group Inc (CFG), Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB), Netflix Inc (NFLX).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Supported by Signs of US Economic Strength

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.30%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.35%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +0.40%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are up +0.08%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are up +0.18%.
Stocks are climbing today on signs the US economy is holding up, despite tariff uncertainty. Positive economic news today included a decline in weekly jobless claims to a 3-month low, a stronger-than-expected retail sales report, and a rise in the Philadelphia Fed index to a 5-month high.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
Strength in airline stocks is also lifting the broader market as United Airlines Holdings jumped more than +6% after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable, and the company has potential "upside" to beat its earnings targets as customers returned to booking flights.
On the negative side, health insurers are retreating today, led by an -11% plunge in Elevance Health after the company cut its earnings outlook for the year.
US weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell -7,000 to a 3-month low of 221,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of an increase to 233,000.
US June retail sales rose +0.6% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.1% m/m, and June retail sales ex-autos rose +0.5% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m.
The US June import price index ex-petroleum was unchanged m/m, weaker than expectations of +0.2% m/m.
The US July Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey rose +19.9 to a 5-month high of 15.9, stronger than expectations of -1.0.
On the trade front, President Trump said late Wednesday that he intends to send a tariff letter to more than 150 countries notifying them their tariff rates could be 10% or 15%, effective August 1, and that the group was "not big countries who don't do that much business with the US."
Also, signs that the US could ease some of its export restrictions on semiconductor chips to China are bullish for chip makers. Commerce Secretary Lutnick said Nvidia could soon resume sales of its less advanced H20 chips to China, and Advanced Micro Devices received similar assurances from the Commerce Department, a sign that the US may be in the process of negotiating a grand trade deal with China. Treasury Secretary Bessent is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, within "the next couple of weeks" and signaled the US will likely extend an August 12 deadline for the easing of sky-high tariffs.
However, stocks were undercut by negative trade news that emerged last week and during this past weekend. Over the weekend, President Trump announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on US imports from the European Union and Mexico, effective August 1. Mr. Trump said last Thursday that a 35% tariff on some Canadian products would take effect on August 1, up from the current 25%. Last week, Mr. Trump imposed a 50% tariff on copper imports, which will include semi-finished goods, and stated that drug companies could face tariffs as high as 200% on imports if they don't relocate production to the US within the next year.
Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 3% at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting and 58% at the following meeting on Sep 16-17.
The markets will focus on any fresh news regarding tariffs or trade deals during the remainder of this week. Later today, the July NAHB housing market index is expected to rise +1 to 33. On Friday, June housing starts are expected to climb +3.3% m/m to 1.298 million, and June building permits are expected to slip -0.6% m/m to 1.386 million. Also, the University of Michigan's US July consumer sentiment index is expected to climb +0.8 to 61.5.
Earnings season began in earnest this week with a focus on big bank earnings results. The consensus is for S&P 500 companies to show Q2 earnings growth of +2.8% y/y, the smallest increase in two years, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Also, only six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors are projected to post an increase in earnings, the fewest since Q1 of 2023, according to Yardeni Research.
Overseas stock markets today are higher. The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +1.11%. China's Shanghai Composite closed up +0.37%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 closed up +0.60%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) today are up +4 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is down -2.2 bp to 4.433%. T-notes recovered from early losses today and moved higher on carryover support from late Wednesday when President Trump said he has "no plans” on firing Fed Chair Powell. T-notes also found support on signs of easing price pressures after today's news showed the Jun import price index ex-petroleum rose less than expected.
T-notes initially moved lower today on stronger-than-expected US economic news, including June retail sales, weekly initial unemployment claims, and the July Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey, which signaled strength in the US economy that was hawkish for Fed policy. Also, strength in stocks today has reduced safe-haven demand for T-notes.
European government bond yields today are moving higher. The 10-year German bund yield is up +0.4 bp to 2.691%. The 10-year UK gilt yield climbed to a 6-week high of 4.678% and is up +2.2 bp to 4.660%.
Swaps are discounting the chances at 1% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the July 24 policy meeting.
US Stock Movers
United Airlines Holdings (UAL) is up more than +6% to lead airline stocks higher after CEO Kirby said the second half of the year has become more predictable and the company has potential "upside" to beat its earnings targets as customers returned to booking flights. Also, American Airlines Group (AAL) is up more than +5% and Alaska Air Group (ALK) is up more than +3%. In addition, Delta Air Lines (DAL) is up more than +2% and Southwest Airlines (LUV) is up more than +1%.
Snap-on (SNA) is up more than +6% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 net sales of $1.18 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.16 billion.
PepsiCo (PEP) is up more than +6% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 net revenue of $22.73 billion, above the consensus of $22.32 billion.
CSX Corp (CSX) is up more than +3% after Semafor reported that Union Pacific is exploring an acquisition of the company.
Steven Madden Ltd (SHOO) is up more than +7% after Citigroup upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $32.
Toast (TOST) is up more than +3% after Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to buy from not rated with a price target of $54.
Mondelez International (MDLZ) is up more than +1% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $78.
Health insurance providers are sliding today, led by an -11% plunge in Elevance Health (ELV) to lead losers in the S&P 500 after cutting its earnings outlook for the year to "approximately" $30 per share, well below a previous forecast of $34.15 to $34.85 per share. Also, Molina Healthcare (MOH) is down more than -5%. In addition, Humana (HUM), Centene (CNC), and Cigna Group (CI) are down more than -2%. Finally, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is down more than -1% to lead losers in the Dow Joens Industrials.
Sonic Automotive (SAH) is down more than -6% after JPMorgan Chase downgraded the stock to underweight from overweight with a price target of $72.
Starwood Property Trust (STWD) is down more than -4% after selling over 25.5 million shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering overnight between $19.91 to $20.33 a share, below Wednesday's closing price of $20.85.
MP Materials (MP) is down more than -2% after it said it commenced a $500 million underwritten public offering of its common stock to fund its expansion.
Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) is down more than -1% after President Trump said Coca-Cola has agreed to use "real cane sugar" in Coke soda in the US, which could reduce demand for ADM's corn syrup and hurt its corn-processing business.
Shake Shack (SHAK) is down more than -1% after Jeffries downgraded the stock to underperform from hold with a price target of $120.
Earnings Reports (7/17/2025)
PepsiCo Inc (PEP), Travelers Cos Inc/The (TRV), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Elevance Health Inc (ELV), Cintas Corp (CTAS), Marsh & McLennan Cos Inc (MMC), US Bancorp (USB), Snap-on Inc (SNA), General Electric Co (GE), Citizens Financial Group Inc (CFG), Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB), Netflix Inc (NFLX).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Signs of Economic Strength Boost Stocks

Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.
While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.
Headquartered in Bloomfield, Cigna (CI) is a Medical stock that has seen a price change of 9.52% so far this year. The health insurer is paying out a dividend of $1.51 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 2% compared to the Medical - HMOs industry's yield of 0.77% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.55%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $6.04 is up 7.9% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Cigna has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 81.54%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Cigna's current payout ratio is 22%, meaning it paid out 22% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Looking at this fiscal year, CI expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 is $29.68 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 8.60%.
Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.
High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, CI is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
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Why Cigna (CI) is a Top Dividend Stock for Your Portfolio

Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV) is scheduled to announce its earnings on Thursday, July 17, 2025. For event-driven traders, examining historical stock performance around earnings releases can provide valuable insights and potentially enhance trading strategies.
Over the past five years, ELV has demonstrated positive one-day stock returns in 55% of instances following earnings reports. The median positive return on these days was 2.7%, with a maximum one-day positive return reaching 7.7%. Separately, cryptocurrencies have started to move again. See Will The Rally In XRP Price Continue?
Traders can approach earnings announcements with two main strategies:
Pre-Earnings Positioning: Based on the historical probabilities, one might consider establishing a position before the earnings report is released.
Post-Earnings Positioning: Alternatively, traders can wait for the earnings announcement and then analyze the relationship between immediate and medium-term returns to guide their subsequent trading decisions.
Analysts’ consensus estimates for Elevance Health’s upcoming report are earnings of $9.19 per share on revenue of $48.26 billion. This is in contrast to the year-ago quarter, where the company reported earnings of $10.12 per share on revenue of $43.22 billion.
From a fundamental standpoint, Elevance Health currently holds a market capitalization of $77 billion. Over the last twelve months, the company generated $183 billion in revenue and reported a net income of $5.9 billion.
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See earnings reaction history of all stocks
Elevance Health’s Historical Odds Of Positive Post-Earnings Return
Some observations on one-day (1D) post-earnings returns:
There are 18 earnings data points recorded over the last five years, with 11 positive and 7 negative one-day (1D) returns observed. In summary, positive 1D returns were seen about 61% of the time.
Notably, this percentage increases to 73% if we consider data for the last 3 years instead of 5.
Median of the 11 positive returns = 2.7%, and median of the 7 negative returns = -5.3%
Additional data for observed 5-Day (5D), and 21-Day (21D) returns post earnings are summarized along with the statistics in the table below.
Correlation Between 1D, 5D, and 21D Historical Returns
A relatively less risky strategy (though not useful if the correlation is low) is to understand the correlation between short-term and medium-term returns post earnings, find a pair that has the highest correlation, and execute the appropriate trade. For example, if 1D and 5D show the highest correlation, a trader can position themselves “long” for the next 5 days if 1D post-earnings return is positive. Here is some correlation data based on 5-year and 3-year (more recent) history. Note that the correlation 1D_5D refers to the correlation between 1D post-earnings returns and subsequent 5D returns.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

How Will Elevance Health Stock React To Its Upcoming Earnings?

CVS Health Corporation CVS is gaining investor attention as the stock trends higher ahead of its second-quarter earnings release, scheduled for July 30, 2025. A key catalyst behind the recent uptick occurred in mid-June, when Bloomberg reported that proposed Medicare Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) limits were stripped from the Senate’s version of the tax bill, removing a major overhang for CVS Health and other healthcare insurers.
As one of the nation’s largest PBM operators through its Caremark division, CVS stands to benefit from reduced regulatory pressure, alongside peers like Cigna CI and UnitedHealth UNH. Combined with strong first-quarter earnings, upgraded full-year guidance and operational momentum across its healthcare segments, CVS is entering the second-quarter earnings season with growing market confidence. Here's a closer look at the drivers behind the stock’s recent rise.
Turnaround After 2024 Headwinds
CVS Health has staged a notable turnaround in 2025 after navigating significant challenges in recent years, including the closure of approximately 900 stores between 2022 and 2024 and utilization-related pressure within its Aetna health insurance segment. These headwinds had weighed heavily on the stock, but it has recovered much of the lost ground so far in 2025. CVS shares have rallied nearly 50% year to date, banking on strong strategic execution in the first quarter of 2025 and improved operational efficiency.
During this period, archrivals like Cigna grew 10.9% while United Health shares dipped 39.2%.
YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Strong Q1 Performance, Segment Growth and Upgraded 2025 Guidance
CVS Health delivered strong first-quarter 2025 results in May, reporting a 7% year-over-year revenue increase and a sharp jump in adjusted EPS to $2.25 from $1.31 a year earlier. The company also raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $6.00–$6.20 (up from $5.75–$6.00) and now expects around $7 billion in cash flow.
Growth was broad-based across CVS’ three business segments, Health Care Benefits, Health Services and Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness, which grew 8%, 7.9%, and 11.1%, respectively, in the first quarter. Aetna, its insurance unit, benefited from higher Medicare Advantage star ratings and favorable prior-year cost adjustments, reinforcing the company’s earnings momentum and operational efficiency.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVS’ 2025 earnings per share suggests a 12.9% improvement from 2024.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CVS to Benefit From Senate's Removal of PBM and Medicare Advantage Cuts
As stated earlier, CVS Health is gaining from the Senate’s decision to drop proposed limits on PBMs and cuts to Medicare Advantage in the latest tax bill. This removes a key regulatory risk for its Caremark PBM unit. The decision also boosts Aetna’s Medicare Advantage business by preserving federal funding, supporting stable revenues and continued investment in member services like in-home care.
Additionally, CVS is enhancing care delivery by processing 95% of prior authorizations within 24 hours and expanding value-based care into oncology and cardiology. Its pharmacy unit, which fills over 1.7 billion prescriptions annually, leads in adherence and affordability, driven by initiatives such as low-cost access to Wegovy and Cordavis, delivering over $1 billion in client savings.
CVS Health Offers Attractive Valuation
In terms of valuation, CVS Health’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) is 9.83X, a discount to the S&P 500’s 22.63X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock is trading at a premium to the company’s competitor Cigna’s P/E of 9.63X. However, it is trading at a discount to United Health’s 12.85X.
CVS stock’s premium over CI may be justified by its scale, efficiency and strategic focus on digital health, AI and value-based care. Meanwhile, its discount to the S&P 500 offers an attractive entry point for long-term investors seeking stable, growth-oriented healthcare exposure.
Buy CVS Health Now
With strong operational momentum, easing regulatory headwinds and an attractive valuation, CVS Health stands out as a solid buy ahead of its second-quarter earnings. A near 50% YTD rally reflects renewed investor confidence driven by robust first-quarter results, raised guidance and continued strength across business segments. The Senate’s removal of PBM and Medicare Advantage cuts further boosts the outlook for its Caremark and Aetna units. While Cigna has seen modest gains and UnitedHealth faces sharp declines, CVS offers a stronger growth profile, enhanced by its focus on value-based care and digital health. Carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), CVS presents an appealing opportunity for investors seeking stable, growth-oriented healthcare exposure. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They include
Stock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and Resilience
Stock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the Dip
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Stock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to Spring
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

CVS Up on Medicare Advantage Strength: Is It a Buy Before Q2 Earnings?

UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH is currently navigating a challenging healthcare landscape, with its Medicare Advantage business reportedly facing regulatory scrutiny and rising care costs. However, amid all the hurdles, its commercial insurance business is stepping up as a vital source of stability.
As of March 31, 2025, the UnitedHealthcare business served 50.1 million people, representing a 1.9% year-over-year growth, driven by its self-funded commercial benefits. With more than 30 million members, the company’s commercial segment benefited from favorable pricing and a healthier risk pool compared to government plans. It showed consistent growth over time. Commercial plans are available to both individuals and employers, have less volatile cost structures and are less vulnerable to sudden changes in regulations than Medicare Advantage.
After the return of former CEO Stephen Hemsley in May 2025, the company is shifting its focus. As it works on tightening controls and compliance in its Medicare operations, UNH is also putting a strong emphasis on growing its commercial portfolio.
Even though UNH has pulled back on its full-year guidance due to ongoing pressures, the commercial division continues to provide a buffer against uncertainty. With the broader economy facing challenges that affect both consumers and providers, the company’s approach, particularly the strong performance of its commercial business, continues to anchor its financial stability.
How Are Competitors Faring?
Some of UNH’s major competitors in the healthcare plan provider space are Molina Healthcare, Inc. MOH and The Cigna Group CI.
Molina Healthcare recently warned about rising medical costs and erratic utilization trends, which led it to cut its 2025 earnings guidance. In contrast to its previous prediction of at least $24.50, Molina now projects adjusted earnings per share for the entire year to be between $21.50 and $22.50. Molina now projects adjusted earnings of about $5.50 per share for the second quarter of 2025.
By strategically selling its Medicare Advantage, Cigna Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D, and CareAllies businesses to HCSC in March 2025, Cigna has differentiated itself. Its commercial-heavy model will provide clearer short-term visibility and more consistent underwriting performance. Cigna reported impressive results in the first quarter of 2025, driven by premium rate increases and strengthened relationships with existing clients.
UnitedHealth’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of UNH have plunged 39.9% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s decline of 32.3%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, UnitedHealth trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.85, above the industry average of 11.5. UNH carries a Value Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth’s 2025 earnings is pegged at $21.85 per share, implying a 21% dip from the year-ago period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They include
Stock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and Resilience
Stock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the Dip
Stock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the Market
Stock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for Growth
Stock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to Spring
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%.
Download Atomic Opportunity: Nuclear Energy's Comeback free today.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

UnitedHealth's Commercial Unit: A Stabilizer Amid Healthcare Turmoil?

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH and The Cigna Group CI are two leading players in U.S. managed care insurance, offering health plans to employers, individuals and healthcare providers. In today’s healthcare environment, marked by surging medical costs, policy uncertainty and pricing pressure across Medicare Advantage and Medicaid, investors face mounting concerns over insurer profitability and guidance credibility.
Major carriers, such as UnitedHealth and Centene Corporation CNC, have already withdrawn 2025 forecasts amid escalating costs, while investors are growing worried about government-backed business lines. Cigna, by contrast, maintains a more commercial-heavy profile and has avoided the worst of the sector turbulence.
Let's dive deeply into their fundamentals and execution to determine which stock looks more resilient and promising amid the current disruption.
The Case for UnitedHealth
UnitedHealth remains the behemoth of managed care, built on its healthcare services arm, Optum and its massive Medicare Advantage and commercial insurance footprint. However, the company is increasingly under pressure. Medical loss ratios have surged beyond expectations as utilization outpaces pricing allowances, while regulatory headwinds, including DOJ inquiries into billing practices and Medicare Advantage risk score revisions, have clouded near-term prospects.
UnitedHealth withdrew its earnings outlook in May after acknowledging unexpected costs tied to higher-than-anticipated utilization in government programs. It missed earnings and revenue estimates in the first quarter of 2025. CEO Andrew Witty also stepped down unexpectedly, and the former longtime executive Stephen Hemsley returned to the helm. It was recently dropped from several Russell growth-style indices, including the Russell Top 200 Growth, Russell 1000 Growth and Russell 3000 Growth.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Optum Rx, UnitedHealth’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), could face increasing pressure as regulatory scrutiny intensifies around PBM pricing practices. President Trump’s “most-favored nation” executive order adds to the challenge by promoting more transparent, direct drug pricing, potentially diminishing the influence of intermediaries like PBMs.
Despite this, UnitedHealth still holds significant scale advantages. Overall, Optum continues to drive strong cash flow. UNH generated operating cash flows of $5.5 billion in the first quarter of 2025, which surged from the prior-year figure of $1.1 billion. Also, the company has been aggressively repurchasing shares. UNH rewarded more than $5 billion to its shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends during the first quarter of 2025. Its dividend yield of 2.95% is higher than the industry average of 2.42% and Cigna’s 1.96%.
The Case for Cigna
Cigna has distinguished itself through its strategic divestments of Medicare Advantage, Cigna Supplemental Benefits, Medicare Part D and CareAllies businesses to HCSC in March 2025. Its commercial-heavy model will deliver more predictable underwriting performance and give clearer near-term visibility. In the first quarter of 2025, it reported strong results, benefiting from the rising relationship with existing clients and premium rate hikes.
Cigna Group Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
While its pharmacy benefit management arm, Evernorth, is benefiting from volume growth in Specialty and Care Services, it also faces similar regulatory risks as UnitedHealth due to the MFN order. Nevertheless, like UNH, Cigna’s diversification within its PBM operations offers a meaningful cushion against these emerging pressures.
Cigna has also responded proactively to mounting cost pressure by reshaping its leadership and customer focus. A major management reorganization elevated its CFO and COO game and linked executive compensation to customer satisfaction outcomes. Steps include hiring more claims/authorization staff and pledging transparency reforms, intended to restore trust and reduce denials and criticism.
During its first-quarter earnings, Cigna raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to at least $29.60, up from a prior forecast of $29.50. This upward revision stands in stark contrast to peers like UnitedHealth, Centene, and Molina, all of whom either lowered guidance or withdrew it entirely amid mounting cost pressures.
Cigna has a strong financial position, substantiated by solid cash reserves and robust cash flows. Its long-term debt-to-capital of 39.56% is lower than the industry average of 39.88% and UnitedHealth’s 42.87%.
Cigna stock is currently trading well below Wall Street’s average price target of $379.38, implying a 22.5% upside from current levels.
How Do Zacks Estimates Compare for UNH & CI?
Zacks Consensus Estimates favor Cigna at this stage. It has seen upward revisions in EPS estimates for the current year, while UNH has witnessed multiple downward revisions. The consensus estimate for CI’s 2025 earnings indicates an 8.6% increase from a year ago, while the same for revenues suggests 4.5% growth. On the other hand, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNH’s 2025 revenues indicates 12.3% year-over-year growth, but the same for EPS signals a massive 21% decline.
Valuation: UNH vs. CI
Valuation also favors Cigna. While UNH trades at a forward P/E of 12.67X, CI trades at a more modest 9.82. This valuation gap gives Cignaa more attractive risk-reward profile. In contrast, UNH’s premium pricing could limit near-term upside unless it delivers clear margin improvements. CI currently carries a Value Score of A, while UNH has a Value Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Price Performance Comparison
Over the year-to-date period, UNH faced selloffs tied to medical costs and investigation concerns. Its shares plunged 40.8% during the same time. Meanwhile, Cignashares have jumped 11.8%, outperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index, supported by stronger momentum and clearer guidance.
Price Performance – UNH, CI, Industry & S&P 500
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Conclusion
In a sector beset by heightened medical claims, regulatory risks and guidance withdrawals, Cigna emerges as the better option today. Its deliberate exit from Medicare Advantage, emphasis on commercial business, proactive customer-focused reforms, and clear earnings outlook distinguish it from its counterparts facing more severe turbulence.
UnitedHealth continues to command scale and cash generation, but its exposure to government program disruptions and regulatory scrutiny weighs heavily on its near-term prospects. For investors seeking less exposure to policy-driven volatility and a clearer earnings path forward, Cigna offers stronger upside potential and a more dependable risk-adjusted profile amid continued sector uncertainty.
UnitedHealth currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), while Cigna has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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UnitedHealth vs. Cigna: Which Insurer to Buy Amid Sector Turmoil?

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The Cigna Group CI recently announced that it will start covering RhinAer, a minimally invasive solution for chronic rhinitis, starting Sept. 15, 2025. This move highlights the increasing confidence in patient options for dealing with nasal issues like congestion and rhinorrhea. This is a significant step forward for both patients and healthcare providers, as it takes RhinAer off CI’s list of experimental or investigational treatments, granting access to more than 15 million members across the country.
RhinAer, developed by Aerin Medical, is an innovative treatment that utilizes temperature-controlled radiofrequency technology to target the posterior nasal nerve. Unlike traditional surgical approaches, RhinAer is incisionless, only requires local anesthesia, and can conveniently be done during a regular office visit. This treatment has already benefited more than 50,000 individuals.
This strategic move confirms RhinAer’s clinical effectiveness, backed by more than 20 peer-reviewed studies and three years of outcome data. CI’s recent policy update underscores the increasing acknowledgment of RhinAer’s clinical efficacy and overall health benefits as a non-invasive option, standing out against surgery or long-term medications as well as traditional clinic-based management.
This increases the company’s value as a player that supports minimally invasive and evidence-based treatments. By reducing the need for invasive procedures or continuous medications, it is consistent with CI’s dedication to member-focused care and cost containment.
Cigna’s inclusion of RhinAer in its coverage option is an innovative step in revolutionizing care for those suffering from chronic rhinitis. CI’s choice positions it as a forward-thinking leader in patient-focused health coverage. In 2024, the company delivered more than 8 million prescriptions to more than a million patients through its own operational assets and expertise, which include the careful mixing and preparation of medications in sterile environments that take years to develop and are fully licensed.
CI Stock Price Performance
Over the past year, CI shares have risen 0.3% against the industry’s fall of 29.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CI’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
CI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the Medical space are Clover Health Investments Corp CLOV, Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. FMS and BrightSpring Health Services, Inc. BTSG, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Clover Health Investments’ current-year earnings of 11 cents per share has witnessed one upward revision in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Clover Health Investments beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 114.6%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $1.9 billion, indicating 37.7% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co.’s current-year earnings of $2.21 per share has witnessed three upward revisions in the past 30 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. beat earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and met once, with the average surprise being 6.6%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $21.9 billion, indicating 4.8% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BrightSpring Health Services’ current-year earnings of $1.02 per share has witnessed five upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. BrightSpring Health Services beat earnings estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice, with an average surprise being 17.5%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $12.3 billion, implying 9.1% year-over-year growth.
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The Cigna Group

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