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Cigna Shares on the Couch: Time to Stay Strong or Walk Away Now?
ZACKS· 2026-01-06 16:51
Core Insights - Cigna Group is positioned for growth driven by new business and expanded client relationships in the Evernorth Health Services unit [1] - The company has a market capitalization of $74.6 billion and offers a range of services including pharmacy services, benefits management, and health insurance products [2] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cigna's 2025 earnings is $29.63 per share, reflecting an 8.4% year-over-year increase [3] - The consensus estimate for 2025 revenues is $272.11 billion, indicating a 10.1% rise, supported by expanding pharmacy benefit services and improved specialty volumes [4] Shareholder Value - Cigna has a robust shareholder value program, having repurchased 8.2 million shares for $2.6 billion and paid $1.2 billion in dividends in the first nine months of 2025 [5] - The company generated free cash flow of $7.4 billion over the past four quarters [5] Valuation Metrics - Cigna trades at a forward P/E of 9.28X, significantly below its five-year median of 10.62X and the industry average of 15.84X, indicating potential undervaluation [6] Key Concerns - Cigna's return on assets is 5.01%, below the industry average of 5.65%, suggesting less efficient asset utilization [7] - The company's net debt to capital ratio stands at 35.68%, higher than the industry average of 24.04%, raising concerns about its debt levels [7] - A high Medical Care Ratio (MCR) is impacting Cigna's healthcare profits, although a strategic plan is expected to drive long-term growth [8]