Zacks Research Lowers Earnings Estimates for Elevance Health

Key Points

• Zacks Research has revised its Q1 2026 EPS estimate for Elevance Health down to $12.09, a decrease from the previous estimate of $12.21.
• Several analysts, including Morgan Stanley and Barclays, have significantly lowered their price targets for Elevance Health, highlighting a shift in market sentiment.
• The company is set to pay a quarterly dividend of $1.71 on September 25th, representing an annualized yield of 2.1%.

Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for Elevance Health in a report released on Tuesday, September 2nd. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $12.09 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $12.21. The consensus estimate for Elevance Health's current full-year earnings is $33.96 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Elevance Health's Q2 2026 earnings at $9.22 EPS and Q1 2027 earnings at $12.40 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Elevance Health from $428.00 to $316.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 18th. Wall Street Zen lowered Elevance Health from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, July 18th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Elevance Health from $492.00 to $297.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 25th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Elevance Health from $400.00 to $330.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 15th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on Elevance Health from $434.00 to $358.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 18th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Elevance Health currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $413.81.

Elevance Health Trading Down 0.3%

NYSE:ELV opened at $321.29 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $72.35 billion, a PE ratio of 13.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.59. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $314.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $374.49. Elevance Health has a 12-month low of $273.71 and a 12-month high of $562.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64.

Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The company reported $8.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $9.30 by ($0.46). The company had revenue of $49.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $48.26 billion. Elevance Health had a net margin of 2.83% and a return on equity of 17.59%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 14.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $10.12 earnings per share.

Elevance Health Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 10th will be given a $1.71 dividend. This represents a $6.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 10th. Elevance Health's payout ratio is 29.11%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Gail Boudreaux purchased 8,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $286.94 per share, for a total transaction of $2,438,990.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 151,020 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $43,333,678.80. The trade was a 5.96% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Susan D. Devore purchased 1,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was bought at an average price of $312.15 per share, for a total transaction of $374,580.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 3,502 shares in the company, valued at $1,093,149.30. This trade represents a 52.13% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.29% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Elevance Health

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ELV. Private Wealth Management Group LLC increased its position in Elevance Health by 152.0% during the 1st quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 63 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Elevance Health during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Elevance Health by 94.9% during the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 76 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Riverview Trust Co boosted its stake in shares of Elevance Health by 1,340.0% during the 1st quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 72 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Elevance Health during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.24% of the company's stock.

About Elevance Health

Elevance Health, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health benefits company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Health Benefits, CarelonRx, Carelon Services, and Corporate & Other. It offers a variety of health plans and services to program members; health products; an array of fee-based administrative managed care services; and specialty and other insurance products and services, such as stop loss, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental health insurance benefits.

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