Go Pro

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) Upgraded at Wall Street Zen

CVS Health logo with Healthcare background
Image from MarketBeat Media, LLC.

Key Points

  • Wall Street Zen upgraded CVS Health from “buy” to “strong-buy.” The broader analyst consensus is “Moderate Buy,” with 22 buy ratings, two holds and an average price target of $106.46.
  • CVS reported quarterly adjusted EPS of $2.58, beating the $1.87 consensus, while revenue increased 7.3% year over year to $106.1 billion. Management raised its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $7.90–$8.10.
  • Despite the strong results, executives warned that declining Caremark membership and 340B drug-pricing changes could pressure growth through 2027; insiders also sold roughly $317.5 million of stock over the past three months.
  • MarketBeat previews top five stocks to own in September.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on CVS. Mizuho raised their price objective on CVS Health from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, June 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on CVS Health from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 7th. UBS Group raised their price target on CVS Health from $122.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on CVS Health from $107.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of CVS Health from $106.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday. Twenty-two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $106.46.

View Our Latest Analysis on CVS

CVS Health Price Performance

CVS Health stock opened at $95.61 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $122.28 billion, a PE ratio of 25.29, a P/E/G ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 0.61. CVS Health has a 52 week low of $63.30 and a 52 week high of $110.68. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $102.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $87.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The pharmacy operator reported $2.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.87 by $0.71. CVS Health had a net margin of 1.18% and a return on equity of 13.12%. The business had revenue of $106.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $100.03 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.81 EPS. The company's revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. CVS Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.900-8.100 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that CVS Health will post 8.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at CVS Health

In other news, Director Larry Robbins sold 370,462 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.45, for a total transaction of $34,619,673.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 4,824,799 shares in the company, valued at approximately $450,877,466.55. This represents a 7.13% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders sold 3,372,000 shares of company stock worth $317,473,598 in the last three months. 0.85% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its position in shares of CVS Health by 407.2% during the 3rd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 350 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares during the period. Swiss RE Ltd. acquired a new position in CVS Health during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Sankala Group LLC acquired a new position in CVS Health during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC grew its stake in CVS Health by 344.8% during the 1st quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 387 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in CVS Health in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. 80.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

CVS Health News Summary

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

  • Positive Sentiment: CVS reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.58 per share, well above the $1.87 analyst consensus, while revenue rose 7.3% year over year to $106.1 billion. Management raised its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to $7.90–$8.10, supported by improving performance at Aetna and strength in the retail business. CVS Health earnings and GLP-1 partnership article
  • Positive Sentiment: The company expanded its collaboration with Eli Lilly on GLP-1 weight-management treatments. The initiative could help CVS combine its pharmacy, insurance and care-delivery assets to capture a larger role in the growing obesity-treatment market. CVS GLP-1 strategy article
  • Positive Sentiment: Analysts have modestly increased their fair-value estimate for CVS from $111.92 to $114.88, reflecting more constructive views following the earnings results, although execution and policy risks remain. CVS fair value estimate article
  • Neutral Sentiment: Healthcare was among the sectors receiving defensive ETF inflows, which may provide some broader investor support for CVS, but the flows were concentrated largely in broad-market funds, Treasuries and gold rather than being a company-specific catalyst. Weekly ETF flows article
  • Negative Sentiment: Executives warned that Caremark pharmacy-benefit-management membership could decline in 2026 and that changes involving the 340B drug-pricing program may remain a headwind into 2027. These comments overshadowed the earnings beat and guidance increase by raising concerns about future revenue and profit growth. CVS earnings call risks article

About CVS Health

(Get Free Report)

CVS Health Corporation is a diversified healthcare company that operates a large network of retail pharmacies, pharmacy benefit management services and health care solutions. Headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the company traces its roots to the early 1960s and has grown into an integrated provider of prescription drugs, over‑the‑counter products, clinical services and health insurance offerings. Its operating model combines retail pharmacy locations and in‑store clinics with broader pharmacy and health plan capabilities.

Key business activities include CVS Pharmacy retail operations, MinuteClinic walk‑in medical clinics and HealthHUB locations that offer expanded clinical services.

Further Reading

Analyst Recommendations for CVS Health (NYSE:CVS)

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

Continue following MarketBeat
Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.

Should You Invest $1,000 in CVS Health Right Now?

Before you consider CVS Health, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and CVS Health wasn't on the list.

While CVS Health currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

The 7 Hottest IPO Stories of 2026 Cover

MarketBeat just released its list of the 7 hottest IPOs expected to hit Wall Street in 2026. See which companies are preparing to go public and why investors are watching closely.

Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.

Featured Articles and Offers

Recent Videos

Stock Lists

All Stock Lists

Investing Tools

Calendars and Tools

Search Headlines