CVS Health Corporation $CVS Stock: NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC Boosts Stake

Key Points

• NorthCrest Asset Management increased its CVS Health stake by 57.2% in the third quarter, bringing its holdings to 42,289 shares valued at approximately $3.6 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.66% of CVS.
• CVS reported strong quarterly results, with EPS of $2.58 and revenue of $106.1 billion, exceeding analyst expectations and showing 7.3% year-over-year revenue growth. The company maintained fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $7.90–$8.10 and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.665 per share.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with CVS carrying a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $107.80, though the company faces regulatory concerns following a $315 million settlement over alleged improper controlled-substance prescriptions and fraudulent billing.

NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC grew its stake in shares of CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS - Free Report) by 57.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 42,289 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock after buying an additional 15,386 shares during the period. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC's holdings in CVS Health were worth $3,624,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in CVS. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in CVS Health by 41.8% during the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 356 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. Apella Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of CVS Health by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 6,940 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock valued at $724,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the period. Wellington Altus USA Inc. raised its holdings in shares of CVS Health by 13.3% in the 2nd quarter. Wellington Altus USA Inc. now owns 1,025 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock worth $106,000 after buying an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of CVS Health by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 3,481 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock worth $360,000 after buying an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AGP Franklin LLC lifted its position in shares of CVS Health by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. AGP Franklin LLC now owns 11,563 shares of the pharmacy operator's stock worth $830,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.66% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about CVS Health

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

• Positive Sentiment: Aetna reported that more than 69% of its Medicare Advantage members are enrolled in plans rated four stars or higher for 2027. Strong CMS Star Ratings can support member retention, enrollment growth and potential quality-related revenue. Aetna 2027 Star Ratings Reflect Strong Clinical Quality and Member Experience
• Positive Sentiment: McKesson reached an agreement in principle to extend its pharmaceutical distribution partnership with CVS through June 2032, supporting continuity across CVS’s retail, mail-order, specialty and distribution operations. McKesson Extends CVS Deal
• Neutral Sentiment: Leerink Partners lowered its CVS price target to $112 from $119 but maintained an “outperform” rating, indicating continued confidence in the long-term opportunity while reflecting more cautious assumptions. CVS Health Price Target Cut by Leerink Partners
• Negative Sentiment: CVS Pharmacy and related entities agreed to pay $315 million to resolve a U.S. Justice Department case alleging that the company improperly filled controlled-substance prescriptions and fraudulently billed federal healthcare programs over a 12-year period. CVS reportedly denied wrongdoing and did not admit liability, but the settlement creates a substantial near-term cost and renews regulatory and compliance concerns. The agreement also includes enhanced oversight of controlled-substance dispensing. CVS Agrees to $315 Million DOJ Opioid Prescription Settlement
• Negative Sentiment: Healthcare stocks broadly weakened late in the session, adding sector-level pressure to CVS alongside the company-specific settlement news. Healthcare Stocks Fall Late Afternoon

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on CVS. HSBC reaffirmed a "hold" rating and issued a $103.00 price target on shares of CVS Health in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on CVS Health from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of CVS Health from $103.00 to $123.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. BMO Capital Markets set a $112.00 target price on shares of CVS Health in a report on Wednesday, September 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut shares of CVS Health from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research report on Friday. Twenty research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, CVS Health presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $107.80.

CVS Health Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of CVS opened at $87.60 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 0.87. The company has a market cap of $112.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.19, a PEG ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 0.60. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $92.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $92.73. CVS Health Corporation has a 52-week low of $69.51 and a 52-week high of $110.68.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The pharmacy operator reported $2.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.87 by $0.71. CVS Health had a return on equity of 13.12% and a net margin of 1.18%. The business had revenue of $106.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $100.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.81 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. CVS Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.900-8.100 EPS. Analysts predict that CVS Health Corporation will post 8.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CVS Health Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, October 22nd will be given a $0.6650 dividend. This represents a $2.66 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 22nd. CVS Health's payout ratio is 70.37%.

CVS Health Company Profile

CVS Health Corp. is an integrated health care company that provides pharmacy, insurance and health services primarily in the United States. Its operations are designed to connect consumers, health plans, health care providers and pharmacy services across multiple points of care.

The company's major businesses include CVS Pharmacy retail locations, prescription fulfillment and consumer health products; CVS Caremark, a pharmacy benefit management business; and Aetna, which offers health insurance products and related services for employers, individuals, government programs and other organizations.

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