CVS Health said on Tuesday it has reached a proposed settlement agreement with the Federal Trade Commission on insulin pricing. ...

CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) is one of the Most Undervalued Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On March 12, Bernstein analyst Lance Wilkes upgraded the company’s stock to “Outperform” from “Market Perform” with a price objective of $94, an increase from the prior target of $91. This upgrade demonstrates CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS)’s attractive exposure to the Medicare Advantage turnaround and expectations of stable earnings in the pharmacy and pharmacy benefit manager businesses after the refo ...

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Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann Announces Filing of Racketeering Class Action Against CaremarkPCS and CVS Health Corporation Mar 19, 2026 1:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann Announces Filing of Racketeering Class Action Against CaremarkPCS and CVS Health Corporation Share Major Pharmacy Benefits Manager manipulated drug formulary in exchange for massive kickbacks from drug companies instead of negotiating lowest prices for members NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bernstein Li ...

Core Viewpoint - The article compares CVS Health and Cigna Group as potential investments for retirement portfolios, highlighting the trade-offs between stability and income versus stronger earnings quality and capital discipline. Valuation - CVS Health trades at 11.3x trailing adjusted earnings, while Cigna trades at 9.4x, making Cigna cheaper on key metrics. Cigna's 2026 adjusted EPS guidance is at least $30.25, translating to a forward multiple of approximately 9.3x, compared to CVS's 10.7x using a midpoint of $7.10 for 2026 adjusted EPS. Cigna's net income grew 73.47% year-over-year to $5.957 billion, while CVS's net income fell 62.55% to $1.728 billion due to a $5.7 billion goodwill impairment and $1.2 billion in legacy litigation charges [1]. Yield and Income - CVS offers a quarterly dividend of $0.665, annualized to $2.66, resulting in a yield of approximately 3.5%. Cigna's dividend has increased from $1.00 per quarter in 2021 to $1.56 per quarter, with a current yield of roughly 2.3% at a price of $265.88. CVS has a revenue base of $402 billion and operating cash flow of $10.639 billion for FY2025 [1]. Long-Term Track Record and Growth Trajectory - Cigna has consistently beaten adjusted EPS estimates in all four quarters of 2025, with a 17% revenue growth in its Evernorth Health Services segment and an improvement in SG&A ratio from 5.9% to 5.0%. Cigna repurchased 11.9 million shares for approximately $3.6 billion in 2025. CVS reported a 9.7% increase in same-store prescription volume and a 12.4% growth in Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness revenue to $37.66 billion, but its operating income fell 45.28% year-over-year [1]. Price Performance - Over the past year, CVS's stock is up 17.32%, while Cigna's is down 14.51%. However, over a decade, Cigna has returned 101.36%, compared to CVS's 1.84% [1]. Conclusion - For retirees prioritizing current income, CVS may be appealing due to its higher yield and growth in the pharmacy business. However, for those focused on long-term wealth accumulation, Cigna is viewed as the stronger investment due to its lower earnings multiple, consistent execution, and significant historical returns [1].

Upgrades - Bernstein upgraded CVS Health (CVS) to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $94, up from $91, indicating a 23% upside due to attractive exposure to the Medicare Advantage turnaround and potential for more stable earnings in its pharmacy businesses after reform impacts [2] - Bernstein upgraded Cigna (CI) to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $358, up from $307, as the firm sees the combination of the Pharmacy Benefit Manager reform bill and the FTC settlement as "clearing events" that will increase the multiple over time [2] - Wells Fargo double upgraded Occidental (OXY) to Overweight from Underweight with a price target of $69, up from $47, citing the company's peer-leading oil sensitivity and Permian capital efficiency trends as key factors [2] - Piper Sandler also upgraded Occidental to Overweight from Neutral with a price target of $66, up from $54 [2] - Williams Trading upgraded Crocs (CROX) to Hold from Sell with an $84 price target, citing valuation as the reason for the upgrade with shares currently below the price target [2] - Jefferies upgraded Petco (WOOF) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $5, up from $4.05, noting that the company is entering 2026 with growth prospects as liquidity and profitability concerns are now resolved [2]

Core Viewpoint - Aetna is accused of submitting false patient diagnosis data for its Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees to obtain higher monthly payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [1] Group 1 - Aetna's actions are under scrutiny due to allegations of falsifying data [1] - The accusations suggest a potential manipulation of the Medicare Advantage payment system [1] - The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the integrity of data submitted by healthcare providers [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential resilience of CVS Health and Gilead Sciences during economic downturns, suggesting they are solid investments even in uncertain economic conditions [1]. Group 1: CVS Health - CVS Health operates over 9,000 locations in the U.S. and has established strong community relationships, which may help it navigate economic challenges [2]. - The company has faced challenges in its Medicare Advantage business but is focusing on profitable growth by scaling back this segment, which should improve margins and financial results [3]. - CVS Health offers an attractive dividend yield of 3.4%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.2%, and has increased its dividend by 56.5% over the past decade, making it a solid choice for recession-resistant investment [3]. Group 2: Gilead Sciences - Gilead Sciences is a leading biotech company known for its strong portfolio in the HIV market, including key products like Biktarvy and Descovy, and has expanded into oncology and COVID-19 treatments [4]. - The company's HIV products are essential for patients, which should help maintain sales even during a recession, despite recent fluctuations in revenue from Veklury [5]. - Gilead has a robust pipeline in oncology that is expected to support future product launches and sales growth, positioning the company well for economic challenges [5].

Core Insights - CVS Health Foundation has announced a $2.24 million investment in Health Impact Ohio to enhance community-based care in Columbus, aiming to improve healthcare access and reduce emergency care utilization [1][2] - The initiative focuses on addressing significant health and social challenges faced by families in the south and east sides of Columbus, including high housing costs and chronic health conditions [1][2] Investment and Community Impact - The investment will support a care coordination model utilizing Community Health Workers (CHWs) to connect residents with healthcare and social services, aiming to reduce avoidable emergency room visits [1] - Health Impact Ohio's Pathways HUB will be strengthened through this funding, enhancing training, data systems, and coordination among partner agencies [1][2] Health Challenges in Columbus - Nearly half of households in the targeted areas spend over 30% of their income on housing, contributing to health challenges [1] - One-third of adults in Columbus are living with obesity, and 12% are managing diabetes, highlighting the need for improved health services [1] CVS Health's Broader Commitment - CVS Health operates hundreds of locations in Ohio, employing over 11,000 individuals and generating an estimated $39.5 billion in economic impact in fiscal year 2024 [1][2] - The company has invested nearly $80 million in affordable housing initiatives statewide, creating and renovating nearly 1,900 housing units [2] Community Health Initiatives - CVS Health's Project Health initiative provided over 2,258 health screenings in Ohio through 22 events last year, reflecting its commitment to improving health outcomes [2] - The foundation collaborates with various nonprofit organizations to address health challenges, focusing on areas such as mental well-being, maternal health, and chronic conditions [2]

Group 1 - CVS Health has expanded its leadership structure with Prem Shah taking on the role of Group President, overseeing pharmacy businesses and healthcare delivery [2] - The company is focusing on integrating its various assets and services under the new leadership to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery [2]