Cigna Corp Analysts Upgrade to 51% Upside, Healthcare Stocks Show Strong Growth
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Cigna's Strong Performance: Cigna Corp (NYSE:CI) leads with a 51.0% analyst upside and a remarkable 145.5% EPS growth forecast, showcasing its strong performance as a 'cash flow machine' that remains undervalued, poised for significant shareholder returns.
- Regeneron's Innovation Strength: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (F:REGN) ranks second with a 26.0% analyst upside and 21.5% projected EPS growth, recognized for its high-margin innovation in the biopharmaceutical sector, supporting its optimistic future growth prospects and industry leadership.
- Cencora's Distribution Edge: Cencora Inc (NYSE:COR), formerly AmerisourceBergen, secures third place with a 23.1% analyst upside and an impressive 120.0% EPS growth forecast, leveraging its extensive distribution network and strategic positioning in healthcare logistics for significant competitive advantages.
- Merck's Stable Growth: Merck & Company Inc (NYSE:MRK) rounds out the list with a 21.2% analyst upside potential and 34.2% projected EPS growth, described as a 'defensive pharma leader' that offers stability alongside growth potential through its diverse pharmaceutical portfolio, providing multiple revenue streams to mitigate market volatility.
Analyst Views on CI
Wall Street analysts forecast CI stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CI is 335.63 USD with a low forecast of 300.00 USD and a high forecast of 378.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
16 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 280.390
Low
300.00
Averages
335.63
High
378.00
Current: 280.390
Low
300.00
Averages
335.63
High
378.00
About CI
The Cigna Group is a global health company. The Company has two growth platforms: Evernorth Health Services and Cigna Healthcare. Evernorth Health Services includes its Pharmacy Benefit Services and Specialty and Care Services operating segments, which provide independent and coordinated health solutions and capabilities to enable the healthcare system to work better and help people live richer, healthier lives. Cigna Healthcare includes the U.S. Healthcare and International Health operating segments, which provide comprehensive medical plan services and coordinated solutions to clients and customers. Its Other Operations include corporate-owned life insurance (COLI), the Company's run-off operations and other non-strategic businesses. Specialty and Care Services provides specialty drugs for the treatment of complex and rare diseases, specialty distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, and clinical programs to help its clients.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
