Core Insights - CVS Health Corporation is recognized as one of the Best High Yield Stocks to Buy in October [1] - The company operates beyond a pharmacy chain, providing healthcare services such as lab work, health screenings, vaccinations, and treatment for minor injuries through in-store clinics [2] - CVS Health owns Aetna, the fifth largest health insurer in the U.S., covering 36 million people [3] Business Operations - CVS commands approximately 27% of the nationwide prescription volume in the pharmacy sector [4] - The company has been focusing on a value-based healthcare model, enhancing its primary care and home-based care capabilities through acquisitions like Signify Health and Oak Street Health [4] - CVS has consistently paid dividends to shareholders since 1997, currently offering a quarterly dividend of $0.665 per share, resulting in a 3.51% dividend yield as of September 27 [5]

Group 1 - UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is recognized as a cash-rich dividend stock, appealing to income investors due to its strong dividend history and consistent growth [1][4] - The company operates through its UnitedHealthcare sector in the U.S. and the Optum segment internationally, providing a diversified healthcare offering [2] - Despite recent challenges such as management turnover and disappointing earnings, the company forecasts that approximately 78% of its members will be covered by highly rated Medicare plans by 2026, which is expected to enhance government payments and revenue growth [3] - UnitedHealth has reaffirmed its 2025 earnings guidance of at least $16 per share, indicating stability and potential for restoring investor confidence [3] Group 2 - The company has increased its dividends for 14 consecutive years, currently offering a quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.57% as of September 27 [4]

Core Insights - Cigna Group has approved coverage for Cleerly's AI-powered cardiovascular imaging technology, enhancing digital healthcare access for over 61 million Americans [1][3][10] - The integration of AI in healthcare is expected to improve early detection of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and help manage healthcare costs [2][3] - Cigna's decision aligns with a broader trend towards value-based care and digital advancements, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare expenses [4] Company Performance - Cigna reported a 13% year-over-year growth in total revenues in the first half of 2025 [5][10] - Competitors such as UnitedHealth Group, Elevance Health, and Humana are also focusing on value-based care, with UnitedHealth's Optum division achieving a 5.8% revenue growth and Humana reporting a 9.9% increase in adjusted revenues in the same period [6][7][9] Industry Trends - The adoption of AI technologies in healthcare is increasing, particularly in preventive care and population health management, which can lead to reduced hospitalization and emergency care costs [3] - The move towards integrated, patient-focused care is evident as companies expand their services beyond traditional insurance to include primary care and digital health solutions [8]

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group is currently facing challenges, including a significant stock decline and ongoing investigations, but presents a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors [1][3]. Group 1: Company Overview - UnitedHealth Group holds a market value of $313 billion and is the largest health insurer in the United States [1]. - The company's stock has decreased by approximately 37% over the past year due to investigations by the Department of Justice for potential Medicare fraud and the resignation of its CEO [1]. Group 2: Financial Performance - The decline in stock price has resulted in an increased dividend yield of 2.5%, with total shareholder yield (including stock buybacks) reaching 5.5% [2]. - The stock is considered undervalued, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15, significantly lower than its five-year average of 23.6, and a price-to-sales ratio (PSR) of 0.75 compared to a five-year average of 1.29 [3]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The company plans to reduce costs, partly through the use of artificial intelligence, and intends to raise premiums in 2026 and 2027 [3]. - Recent demographic trends, including a growing and aging population, are expected to drive demand for healthcare services, which is favorable for UnitedHealth [3]. - The stock has seen a nearly 16% increase in the past month, indicating some investor optimism [3]. Group 4: Investment Considerations - Investors are advised to consider purchasing shares before the upcoming earnings report on October 28, as positive news could lead to a stock price increase [3]. - Notably, Berkshire Hathaway has been acquiring shares, holding a stake valued at nearly $1.6 billion, which may reflect confidence in the company's recovery [3].

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elevance Health (NYSE: ELV) will release third quarter 2025 financial results on October 21, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time ("EDT†). Management will review these results and its outlook during a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EDT that same morning. The conference call should be accessed at least 15 minutes prior to its start with the following numbers: 888-947- 9963 - Access Code - 3972058 (Domestic) 312-470-0178 - Access Code - 3972058 (International) 800-. ...

Core Insights - UnitedHealth Group has seen a bearish sentiment from large investors, with 47% of trades being bearish compared to 35% bullish [1] - The total volume of put options was $2,406,409, while call options totaled $3,047,647, indicating a significant interest in both sides of the market [1] - Analysts have set an average target price of $372.75 for UnitedHealth Group, with individual targets ranging from $352 to $395 [11][12] Options Activity - A total of 74 trades were detected for UnitedHealth Group, with 18 puts and 56 calls [1] - The predicted price range for UnitedHealth Group's options is between $180.0 and $600.0 [2] - The analysis of volume and open interest provides insights into liquidity and interest for UnitedHealth Group's options [3] Company Overview - UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest private health insurers, serving approximately 51 million members globally, including 1 million outside the US [9] - The company operates through various insurance plans and its Optum franchises, which provide a wide range of healthcare services [10] - The stock price of UnitedHealth Group is currently at $343.24, with a trading volume of 3,507,832 and a slight decrease of -0.24% [14]

Performance Overview - Baron Durable Advantage Fund increased by 15.6% in Q2, outperforming the S&P 500 Index which gained 10.9% [2][5] - Year-to-date, the Fund is up 7.5%, compared to the Index's 6.2% [2][5] - Since inception in December 2017, the Fund has generated an annualized return of 16.34%, exceeding the Index by 258 basis points [10] Performance Attribution - Over 90% of the Fund's outperformance (469 basis points) was attributed to stock selection, with Information Technology being the best-performing sector [5][6] - Key contributors included Broadcom, NVIDIA, and Microsoft, which significantly rebounded in Q2 after prior losses [6][12][13] - UnitedHealth was the largest detractor, losing over 50% of its value due to missed earnings estimates and management issues [17] Investment Strategy - The Fund focuses on high-quality, well-managed companies at reasonable prices, avoiding poor businesses regardless of price [4][9] - The investment approach emphasizes long-term stability over short-term market fluctuations, with a focus on durable growth characteristics [9][40] - The portfolio is constructed based on bottom-up stock selection rather than benchmark composition [20] Sector Allocation - As of June 30, 2025, Financials and Information Technology represented 63% of the Fund, with other sectors including Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary making up the remaining 35% [21] - The top 10 positions accounted for 54.2% of the Fund's net assets, indicating a concentrated investment strategy [20] Recent Activity - The Fund initiated a new position in Amphenol and added to existing investments in companies like NVIDIA and CME Group [24][25] - Exited positions included UnitedHealth, Accenture, and Texas Instruments, reallocating to higher conviction opportunities [26][36] Outlook - The Fund remains optimistic about the long-term prospects of its holdings, focusing on companies with strong competitive advantages and high returns on invested capital [43] - The strategy includes a disciplined approach to capital allocation, aiming to return 50% of capital to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks [30]

Core Points - Centene Corporation will release its 2025 third quarter financial results on October 29, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. ET and will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results [1][2] - The conference call can be accessed via phone or a live audio webcast on Centene's website, with a replay available for 12 months [2] - Centene is a Fortune 500 company focused on providing integrated healthcare services, particularly to under-insured and uninsured individuals, serving over 1 in 15 individuals in the U.S. [3] Company Overview - Centene Corporation is a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives, utilizing a local approach with local brands and teams [3] - The company offers affordable and high-quality products, including Medicaid and Medicare services, as well as Health Insurance Marketplace options [3] - Important information about Centene is published on its investor relations website, which is regularly updated with financial and other material information [3]

Core Insights - Artisan Partners' Artisan Select Equity Fund reported returns of 6.77%, 6.76%, and 6.80% for its Investor Class, Advisor Class, and Institutional Class respectively in Q2 2025, underperforming the S&P 500 Index which returned 10.94% [1] Company Analysis: Elevance Health, Inc. - Elevance Health, Inc. has experienced significant stock price pressure, with a one-month return of -0.01% and a 52-week decline of 38.73%, closing at $318.61 per share with a market capitalization of $71.744 billion as of September 29, 2025 [2] - The decline in Elevance's Medicaid business is attributed to a drop in its contribution to normalized profits from approximately 15% to 5% over the past year, largely due to enrollment volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic [3] - The Medicaid program saw a 32% increase in membership during the pandemic, peaking at 95 million enrollees, followed by a 17% decline as reverification resumed, leading to a shift in the health profile of remaining enrollees and squeezing Medicaid margins [3] - State-level premium rates for Medicaid are currently being renegotiated higher, which is expected to normalize margins for Elevance Health as the company moves through 2025 and 2026 [3]

Sep 29, 2025 6:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time Humana Invites Everyone to Get in the Game With Pickleball Pop-Up Events Share Humana to offer court play, lessons, games, and healthy aging resources geared toward older adults of all experience levels at Simon® centers in Illinois, Indiana and Florida Humana is inviting older adults to 'get in the game' with pickleball pop-up events at malls in Illinois, Indiana and Florida in October. These events are designed to offer community members fun and accessible ways t ...