CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) Price Target Cut to $104.00 by Analysts at Leerink Partners

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) had its price target trimmed by Leerink Partners from $112.00 to $104.00 in a research note released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the pharmacy operator’s stock.

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on CVS. Truist Financial upped their target price on CVS Health from $108.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of CVS Health from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Friday, October 9th. Piper Sandler set a $112.00 target price on CVS Health in a research note on Wednesday, September 9th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on CVS Health from $103.00 to $123.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Evercore restated an “outperform” rating on shares of CVS Health in a research report on Wednesday. Twenty-two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $109.08.

CVS Health Trading Up 1.6%

NYSE:CVS opened at $81.22 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $103.88 billion, a PE ratio of 9.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 0.58. CVS Health has a fifty-two week low of $69.51 and a fifty-two week high of $110.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $90.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $88.87.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 4th. The pharmacy operator reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.44. CVS Health had a return on equity of 13.65% and a net margin of 2.62%. The business had revenue of $108.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $104.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.60 EPS. CVS Health’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that CVS Health will post 8.20 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CVS Health Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 22nd were given a dividend of $0.6650 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 22nd. This represents a $2.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. CVS Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.97%.

Institutional Trading of CVS Health

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of CVS Health during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. J.Safra Asset Management Corp purchased a new position in shares of CVS Health in the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in CVS Health by 201.0% during the 2nd quarter. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC now owns 292 shares of the pharmacy operator’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares during the period. Timbuktu Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of CVS Health during the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC bought a new position in CVS Health in the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. 80.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about CVS Health

Here are the key news stories impacting CVS Health this week:

• Positive Sentiment: CVS reported adjusted third-quarter earnings of $2.09 per share, above the $1.65 consensus, while revenue rose 5.4% year over year to $108.4 billion. Management also raised its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to at least $8.20 and operating cash-flow outlook to at least $15.5 billion. These results and stronger performance in benefits and pharmacy are supportive of the investment case. CVS Health reports third-quarter results and raises guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: The company plans to separate its retail pharmacies from its insurance and pharmacy-benefit operations by the first half of 2028. CVS says the two businesses could have more focused strategies; shareholders are expected to own both companies. But the timeline leaves time for execution risks, and details of the separation remain important. CVS plans to split itself up
• Negative Sentiment: The breakup announcement overshadowed the earnings beat, with reports noting a sharp market sell-off after the plan was announced. Investors may be concerned about the value and performance of the standalone businesses, as well as how the separation will be structured. CVS Health drops on breakup plan

About CVS Health

CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS) is a diversified health care company that provides pharmacy, insurance and health services in the United States. Its businesses serve consumers, employers, health plans and health care providers through pharmacies, benefit programs, insurance coverage and clinical care services.

The company’s Pharmacy Services segment, led by CVS Caremark, manages prescription drug benefits for employers, insurers and government programs. CVS Pharmacy operates retail pharmacies and health-focused stores that dispense prescriptions and offer over-the-counter products, health and wellness merchandise, immunizations and related services.