Cigna Group $CI Stock: Howard Capital Management LLC Raises Stake

Key Points

• Howard Capital Management increased its Cigna stake by 1,187.7% in the third quarter, purchasing 22,970 additional shares and bringing its holdings to 24,904 shares valued at $6.77 million. Institutional investors collectively own 86.99% of Cigna’s stock.
• Cigna reported quarterly earnings of $7.78 per share, exceeding estimates of $7.60, while revenue rose 6.7% year over year to $71.56 billion. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of approximately $30.45.
• CI shares recently traded at $302.48, near their 52-week high, while analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $338.24. Cigna also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.56 per share, representing a 2.1% annualized yield.

Howard Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Cigna Group (NYSE:CI - Free Report) by 1,187.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 24,904 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 22,970 shares during the quarter. Howard Capital Management LLC's holdings in Cigna Group were worth $6,770,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CI. Evercore Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cigna Group by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Evercore Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,301 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $347,000 after buying an additional 35 shares during the period. Independence Bank of Kentucky boosted its stake in shares of Cigna Group by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 1,483 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $409,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. West Family Investments Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Cigna Group by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. West Family Investments Inc. now owns 919 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $253,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cigna Group by 24.5% in the first quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the period. Finally, Maripau Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cigna Group by 4.0% in the first quarter. Maripau Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,074 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $287,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Cigna Group

In other news, insider Nicole S. Jones sold 19,436 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $276.27, for a total transaction of $5,369,583.72. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 27,256 shares in the company, valued at $7,530,015.12. This trade represents a 41.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Everett Neville sold 617 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.05, for a total transaction of $175,258.85. Following the sale, the insider owned 5,053 shares in the company, valued at $1,435,304.65. The trade was a 10.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 22,730 shares of company stock worth $6,293,359 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.60% of the company's stock.

Cigna Group Stock Performance

NYSE:CI traded up $3.67 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $302.48. 1,545,464 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,692,376. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $278.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $281.82. Cigna Group has a one year low of $239.51 and a one year high of $311.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The firm has a market cap of $79.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.29.

Cigna Group (NYSE:CI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The health services provider reported $7.78 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.60 by $0.18. Cigna Group had a return on equity of 19.75% and a net margin of 2.27%. The firm had revenue of $71.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $70.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $7.20 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Cigna Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 30.450- EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Cigna Group will post 30.50 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cigna Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 8th were issued a dividend of $1.56 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 8th. This represents a $6.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Cigna Group's payout ratio is currently 25.82%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently commented on CI. Evercore assumed coverage on Cigna Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 9th. They set an "in-line" rating and a $290.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group cut Cigna Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $336.00 to $307.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Robert W. Baird set a $362.00 target price on Cigna Group in a research report on Friday, July 31st. UBS Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Cigna Group in a research note on Thursday, October 1st. Finally, Guggenheim upped their price target on shares of Cigna Group from $338.00 to $361.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $338.24.

About Cigna Group

The Cigna Group NYSE: CI is a global health company that provides health care and related services to individuals, employers, government organizations and health plans. Its operations are primarily organized through Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, which together address health coverage, pharmacy services, care delivery and benefit management.

Cigna Healthcare offers medical, dental, behavioral health, disability and other benefits, with a focus on employer-sponsored and individual health plans in the United States as well as international health services.

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