Artemis Investment Management LLP Makes New Investment in CVS Health Corporation $CVS

Key Points

• Artemis Investment Management established a new position in CVS by acquiring 74,851 shares (~$5.94 million) in Q4, and institutional investors now own about 80.66% of the stock.
• EPS beat: CVS reported $1.09 EPS vs. $1.00 expected and revenue of $105.69 billion (up 8.2% YoY), set FY2026 guidance of $5.94–$6.14 EPS, and announced a $0.665 quarterly dividend (annualized yield ~3.2%) despite a high payout ratio (~192.8%).
• Analysts are broadly positive (consensus "Moderate Buy" with an average target of $95.05), but near‑term margin pressures and rich valuation are flagged as risks that could amplify downside.

Artemis Investment Management LLP acquired a new position in shares of CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 74,851 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock, valued at approximately $5,940,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in CVS Health by 1.5% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 120,709,530 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock worth $9,579,508,000 after acquiring an additional 1,824,424 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors increased its position in shares of CVS Health by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 68,382,158 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock valued at $5,155,380,000 after purchasing an additional 1,419,575 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of CVS Health by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 58,938,286 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock valued at $4,443,357,000 after purchasing an additional 149,701 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors lifted its position in shares of CVS Health by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 26,692,203 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock worth $2,012,347,000 after purchasing an additional 302,499 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in shares of CVS Health by 3.2% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 24,293,058 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock worth $1,831,454,000 after purchasing an additional 760,579 shares in the last quarter. 80.66% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CVS Health Stock Down 1.4%

CVS Health stock opened at $82.12 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $105.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 59.51, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.84. CVS Health Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $58.35 and a fifty-two week high of $85.15. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $76.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $77.97.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The pharmacy operator reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.09. CVS Health had a return on equity of 11.31% and a net margin of 0.44%.The firm had revenue of $105.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $103.67 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.19 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. CVS Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.940-6.140 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that CVS Health Corporation will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year.

CVS Health Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 23rd will be given a $0.665 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 23rd. This represents a $2.66 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. CVS Health's dividend payout ratio is 192.75%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler cut their price target on CVS Health from $101.00 to $99.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. Wolfe Research lowered their price objective on CVS Health from $100.00 to $97.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. TD Cowen reissued a "buy" rating on shares of CVS Health in a research report on Friday, March 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on CVS Health from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Leerink Partners reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $98.00 price target on shares of CVS Health in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Twenty analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, CVS Health has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $95.05.

Key Stories Impacting CVS Health

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

• Positive Sentiment: Regulatory tailwinds for Aetna and clearer PBM policy raised upside visibility for CVS’s Health Services and PBM businesses, boosting investor optimism about Medicare Advantage payments and reduced insulin‑pricing uncertainty. Regulatory Tailwinds Article
• Positive Sentiment: Operational efficiency gains from automation: WSJ reports on CVS’s new highly automated distribution center using robots to move millions of items with far fewer staff — a potential long‑term margin lever. Robotics/Operations Article
• Positive Sentiment: Competitive positioning: coverage notes CVS is pushing health‑services expansion while Walgreens pulls back, which could support share gains in higher‑margin care services. Competitive Positioning Article
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings preview / analyst focus: Wall Street is parsing Q1 metrics (revenue, pharmacy trends and Health Services growth). Investors are waiting for the company’s March‑quarter results and management color before re‑rating shares. Earnings Countdown Article
• Negative Sentiment: Near‑term margin risk: earnings previews caution that benefits segment pressures and elevated costs could weigh on Q1 results, a key reason investors are cautious ahead of the print. Earnings Preview Article
• Negative Sentiment: Market dynamics and valuation: after a strong run-up, the stock’s rich near‑term multiples and lighter intraday volume can amplify down‑moves as investors lock in gains while awaiting Q1 clarity (contributing to today’s pullback).

About CVS Health

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.

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