CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

CVS Health

CVS Health offers a diverse set of healthcare services. Its roots are in its retail pharmacy operations, where it operates over 9,000 stores primarily in the us. CVS is also a large pharmacy benefit manager (acquired through Caremark), processing about 2 billion adjusted claims annually. It also operates a top-tier health insurer (acquired through Aetna) where it serves about 26 million medical members. The company's recent acquisition of Oak Street adds primary care services to the mix, which could have significant synergies with all its existing business lines.

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Cigna may have the edge with smaller footprint and focused approach, but all three giants face risks from FTC&#39;s lawsuit over inflated insulin prices.

UnitedHealth Vs. CVS Vs. Cigna: Which Health Stock Will Beat The FTC&#39;s Regulatory Heat?

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FTC files a complaint against CVS, Cigna, and UnitedHealth&#39;s PBMs, accusing them of inflating insulin prices through a rebate-driven system. The case aims to address unfair practices and improve access to affordable insulin.

US Federal Trade Commission Sues CVS Health, Cigna, UnitedHealth&#39;s Pharmacy Benefit Managers For Inflating Insulin Prices

xr:d:DAE9HpS4rJc:10373,j:6447302046727189944,t:23080913

Biotech

Eli Lilly appeals a $183 million judgment in a Medicaid fraud case, arguing that it followed a reasonable interpretation of the law. The case has drawn attention from major business and pharmaceutical groups.

Eli Lilly Fights $183M Medicaid Fraud Judgment, Cites Reasonable Interpretation Of Medicaid Rules

CVS Health Corp

Morgan Stanley ETF Trust Calvert Ultra-Short Investment Grade ETF

CARDIOVASCULAR SCI INC by Cardiovascular Sciences, Inc.

Morgan Stanley ETF Trust Calvert US Select Equity ETF

CVS Group PLC

CIVITAS SOCIAL HSG PLC by CIVITAS SOCIAL HSG PLC

CV Sciences Inc

COVISTA COMMUNS INC by Covista Communications, Inc,

Covista Communications Inc

CONVERGENCE SYS INC CL A by Convergence Systems Inc.

Convergence Systems Inc

With the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) taking a scalpel to the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) of UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), CVS Health Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) and Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), investors are left wondering which health giant can best <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care">weather the storm</a>.
The FTC's lawsuit, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/20/ftc-sues-drug-middlemen-for-allegedly-inflating-insulin-prices.html">targeting</a> these companies for allegedly inflating insulin prices, could have a major ripple effect across the healthcare industry—and that means stock volatility. 
So, which stock looks healthier?
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">UnitedHealth Group: Big &amp; Bold, But Under The Microscope</h1>
UnitedHealth Group&#8217;s OptumRx unit is at the heart of the FTC's lawsuit, and while UNH's sheer scale as a global leader in healthcare gives it plenty of muscle, it also makes it a big target. 
Analysts predict a modest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/report/UNH">2.75% price movement</a> over the next 12 months, with a price target range of $591 to $680. UnitedHealth&#8217;s size could either serve as a shield or an anchor, depending on how the FTC&#8217;s hammer falls. 
For now, it's the heavyweight champ, but will its bulk keep it from dodging regulatory punches?
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/09/40820758/unitedhealth-follows-competitors-replaces-humira-with-lower-cost-biosimilars">UnitedHealth Follows Competitors, Replaces Humira with Lower-Cost Biosimilars</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CVS Health: Retail Resilience Or Regulation Roadblock?</h1>
CVS Health, known for its 9,000-plus pharmacy locations and its PBM business Caremark, finds itself in the crosshairs, too.
Its integration with Aetna and recent Oak Street acquisition might help it spread risk, but the complexity of its operations also means more regulatory scrutiny. 
Analysts are predicting a price movement of around 6.36%, with a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/report/CVS">12-month target of $63</a>. CVS is a diversified player, but being a jack-of-all-trades could make navigating the regulatory maze even trickier.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Cigna: Niche Focus, Bigger Moves?</h1>
Cigna, meanwhile, might just be the underdog to keep an eye on. Its PBM arm, Express Scripts, is a major player, but Cigna's more focused approach with self-funded plans and key government contracts could help it pivot more easily than its larger rivals. 
Analysts expect a more significant <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/report/CI">14.22% price movement</a> for Cigna, with a target range of $400 to $438. Cigna's smaller footprint in the broader health insurance landscape could allow it to sidestep the worst of the regulatory fallout and come out swinging.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Who's Got The Edge?</h1>
In this health stock showdown, the winner depends on how well these companies can adapt to the FTC's increasing scrutiny. 
UnitedHealth's size gives it strength but might make it a bigger target. CVS has a diversified portfolio but faces risks from its complexity. Cigna, while smaller, seems poised for the most price movement and could be the nimblest in dealing with the regulatory headwinds. 
Investors should keep a close eye on how this legal saga unfolds — there's more drama to come!
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Photos: Shutterstock

UnitedHealth Vs. CVS Vs. Cigna: Which Health Stock Will Beat The FTC's Regulatory Heat?

On Friday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a formal complaint against three major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—CVS Health Inc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) Caremark, Cigna Corp&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>) Express Scripts, and UnitedHealth Group Inc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) Optum—for allegedly engaging in unfair and anti-competitive practices that have inflated the list <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/07/39695378/ftc-investigation-uncovers-anti-competitive-practices-by-handful-of-pharmacy-benefit-managers-includ" rel="noreferrer noopener">price of insulin medications</a>.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/09/ftc-sues-prescription-drug-middlemen-artificially-inflating-insulin-drug-prices" rel="noreferrer noopener">complaint</a> accuses the PBMs of creating a system that benefits them financially by prioritizing drug rebates, forcing patients to pay higher costs for life-saving insulin. These PBMs, referred to as the Big Three, administer around 80% of prescriptions in the U.S.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/05/38564498/federal-trade-commission-targets-junk-patent-listings-for-diabetes-weight-loss-asthma-drugs-from-" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal Trade Commission Targets &#8216;Junk Patent Listings&#8217; For Diabetes, Weight Loss, Asthma Drugs From Companies Like Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca</a>.
The FTC claims that the PBMs abused their market power to inflate insulin prices by promoting a rebate system with drug manufacturers.
This system led to the exclusion of lower-priced insulin from formularies, further driving up the cost for vulnerable patients.
The result is higher out-of-pocket expenses for those needing essential diabetes medication.
For example, the list price of Eli Lilly And Co&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) Humalog rose dramatically from $21 in 1999 to over $274 in 2017.
Despite the availability of lower-priced alternatives, PBMs favored higher-priced drugs due to the lucrative rebates they provided.
The FTC is also examining the role of drug manufacturers, including Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), and Sanofi SA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNY#NASDAQ">SNY</a>), in driving up insulin prices, signaling potential further action against these companies.
The rebate-driven system excluded lower-priced insulins and allowed the Big Three PBMs to keep significant revenue in the form of rebates and fees, a strategy that hurt patients while benefiting the PBMs financially.
Vulnerable patients, such as those with high deductibles or coinsurance, bore the brunt of these inflated costs, paying more for their insulin than the overall net cost to insurers.
Price Action: At last check Friday, CVS stock was down 1.61% at $57.49, UNH stock was down 0.29% at $575.39, and CI stock was up 0.07% at $357.52.
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Photo by towfiqu barbhuiya via unsplash

US Federal Trade Commission Sues CVS Health, Cigna, UnitedHealth's Pharmacy Benefit Managers For Inflating Insulin Prices

FTC Alleges Pharmacy Benefit Managers Systematically Excluded Cheaper Insulins In Exchange For Expensive, Highly Rebated Alternatives

FTC Sues Units Of CVS Health , Cigna , And UnitedHealth For Allegedly Artificially Inflating Insulin Prices; FTC Case Does Not Name Insulin Drugmakers Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, And Sanofi , But Agency Reserves Right To Sue Later

On Wednesday, Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) has urged a federal appeals court to overturn a $183 million judgment stemming from accusations of defrauding Medicaid.
The case, initiated in 2014, alleges that Eli Lilly underreported drug prices to Medicaid, resulting in smaller rebates owed to the program.
Last week,&nbsp;Walgreens Boots Alliance&nbsp;Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) agreed to pay $106.8 million to settle allegations that it submitted false claims to government healthcare programs, violating the False Claims Act&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/09/40881893/walgreens-agrees-to-106-8m-settlement-over-alleged-false-billing-claims" rel="noreferrer noopener">and state regulations</a>.
The U.S. pharma giant claims it is being wrongfully held liable despite adhering to its interpretation of Medicaid&#8217;s complex rebate requirements.
The claims also highlight that Eli Lilly failed to disclose price increases billed to distributors, which were not reflected in its Medicaid pricing reports.
Reuters noted that Eli Lilly started reporting price increases after a 2017 rule change, though the company claims it had previously informed regulators about its pricing practices without facing any objections.
In 2022, a U.S. District Judge rejected Eli Lilly&#8217;s motion for summary judgment, ruling that its price statements were misleading and allowing the case to proceed. In May 2023, a jury found Eli Lilly responsible for $61 million in damages, which were tripled to $183 million under the federal False Claims Act.
Most recently, Oak Street Health, a subsidiary of&nbsp;CVS Health&nbsp;Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), agreed to settle for $60 million following allegations that it violated the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/09/40945496/cvs-subsidiary-oak-street-health-agrees-to-60m-settlement-in-medicare-kickback-violations" rel="noreferrer noopener">False Claims Act</a>.
The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/oak-street-health-agrees-pay-60m-resolve-alleged-false-claims-act-liability-paying-kickbacks" rel="noreferrer noopener">claims</a> involved paying kickbacks to third-party insurance agents to recruit seniors to its primary care clinics, a practice that led to false Medicare submissions.
The case has garnered attention from major business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). These organizations argue that upholding the judgment would create uncertainty for regulated companies.
Price Action: LLY stock is trading higher by 1.45% to $928.28 premarket at the last check on Friday.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/yield-investments"> high dividend payout</a>.
Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">by analyst accuracy</a>.
Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the health care sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>)</h3>
Dividend Yield: 5.66%
<ul>
<li>Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Louise Chen reiterated an Overweight rating with a price target of $45 on Sept. 16. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 70%.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo analyst Mohit Bansal maintained an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $28 to $30 on July 31. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 78%.</li>
<li>Recent News: Pfizer recently presented positive data from Phase 2 study of Ponsegromab in Patients with cancer cachexia.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro's real-time newsfeed alerted to<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"> latest PFE news</a>. </li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="906" height="835" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20052536/image-161.png" alt="" class="wp-image-557905" style="width:703px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20052536/image-161.png 906w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20052536/image-161-300x276.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20052536/image-161-768x708.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 906px) 100vw, 906px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 4.55%</li>
<li>RBC Capital analyst Ben Hendrix reiterated an Outperform rating with a price target of $68 on Sept. 4. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%</li>
<li>Barclays analyst Andrew Mok maintained an Equal-Weight rating and cut the price target from $65 to $63 on Aug. 8. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 79%.</li>
<li>Recent News: Wednesday, Oak Street Health, a subsidiary of CVS Health, agreed to settle for $60 million following allegations that it violated the False Claims Act.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s charting tool helped identify the <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">trend in CVS stock</a>. </li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="908" height="855" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20052607/image-162.png" alt="" class="wp-image-557908" style="width:653px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20052607/image-162.png 908w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20052607/image-162-300x282.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20052607/image-162-768x723.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 908px) 100vw, 908px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 3.67%</li>
<li>RBC Capital analyst Brian Abrahams maintained a Sector Perform rating and raised the price target from $72 to $74 on Sept. 4. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%.</li>
<li>Needham analyst Joseph Stringer reiterated a Hold rating on Aug. 15. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 80%.</li>
<li>Recent News: Gilead Sciences, last week, revealed the results of an interim analysis from a second Phase 3 trial investigating the use of the company's twice-yearly injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, lenacapavir.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s signals feature notified of a potential <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">breakout in GILD shares</a>. </li>
</ul>
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GILD

Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts Weigh In On 3 Health Care Stocks With Over 3% Dividend Yields

Wednesday, Oak Street Health, a subsidiary of CVS Health Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), agreed to settle for $60 million following allegations that it violated the False Claims Act.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/oak-street-health-agrees-pay-60m-resolve-alleged-false-claims-act-liability-paying-kickbacks" rel="noreferrer noopener">claims</a> involved paying kickbacks to third-party insurance agents to recruit seniors to its primary care clinics, a practice that led to false Medicare submissions.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/08/40437498/pharmacy-chains-like-cvs-health-walgreens-boots-alliance-confront-shifting-consumer-habits-and-pro" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pharmacy Chains Like CVS Health, Walgreens Boots Alliance Confront Shifting Consumer Habits And Profit Pressures</a>.
The allegations center around Oak Street Health&#8217;s Client Awareness Program, launched in 2020, which aimed to increase membership through third-party insurance agents.
These agents targeted seniors enrolled or eligible for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, directing them toward Oak Street's services.
In exchange, agents received approximately $200 per referral, incentivizing them to prioritize financial gain over seniors&#8217; best interests.
This behavior violated the Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits offering payment to induce patient referrals under federally funded programs like Medicare.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed that Oak Street Health knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare between September 2020 and December 2022 due to these illegal kickbacks.
"Health care providers that attempt to profit from kickbacks will be held accountable," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department&#8217;s Civil Division. "We are committed to rooting out illegal practices committed by Medicare Advantage providers, insurance agents and brokers that undermine the interests of federal health care programs and the patients they serve."
Additionally, the settlement resolves claims brought under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Joseph Stinson. Stinson will receive $9.9 million as part of the settlement.
Last week, Walgreens Boots Alliance&nbsp;Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>)&nbsp;agreed to pay $106.8 million to settle allegations that it submitted false claims to government healthcare programs, violating the False Claims Act&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/09/40881893/walgreens-agrees-to-106-8m-settlement-over-alleged-false-billing-claims" rel="noreferrer noopener">and state regulations</a>.
Price Action: CVS stock is up 0.27% at $58.58 at the last check Thursday.
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Photo via Shutterstock

CVS Subsidiary Oak Street Health Agrees to $60M Settlement in Medicare Kickback Violations

Oak Street Health, Subsidiary Of CVS Health, Agrees To Pay $60M To Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations For Paying Kickbacks To Insurance Agent

On Friday, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) agreed to pay $106.8 million to settle allegations that it submitted false claims to government healthcare programs, violating the False Claims Act <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care">and state regulations.</a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/walgreens-agrees-pay-1068m-resolve-allegations-it-billed-government-prescriptions-never" rel="noreferrer noopener">settlement</a> resolves accusations that the pharmacy chain billed Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health programs for processed prescriptions but never actually dispensed to beneficiaries.
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The alleged fraudulent activity spanned from 2009 to 2020.
The Department of Justice alleges Walgreens collected tens of millions of dollars from the federal government for medications that never reached patients.
As part of the resolution, Walgreens has implemented updates to its electronic pharmacy management system to prevent similar issues from occurring.
Notably, the company received credit for proactively addressing the issue, including self-reporting certain instances and refunding $66.3 million before the settlement.
The settlement also involves significant contributions to individual states, with $14.9 million allocated to Medicaid-participating states. The federal government&#8217;s share of the recovery amounts to $91.9 million.
The settlement covers three cases filed under the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act, allowing private parties to sue on behalf of the government.
Two former Walgreens employees, Steven Turck and Andrew Bustos, were instrumental in these lawsuits. Turck, a former pharmacy manager, will receive $14.9 million, while Bustos, a former district pharmacy supervisor, will be awarded $1.6 million.
In a report, retail pharmacies such as Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS Health Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) are becoming less convenient for consumers, as reflected in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/08/40437498/pharmacy-chains-like-cvs-health-walgreens-boots-alliance-confront-shifting-consumer-habits-and-pro">numerous customer complaints.</a>
Despite their extensive network of locations, frustrations are mounting due to long wait times for assistance and prescription pickups, highlighting the broader issues facing retail pharmacy chains.
Price Action: WBA stock is down 2.5% at $8.98 at last check Monday.
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Photo: refrina/Shutterstock.com

Walgreens Agrees To $106.8M Settlement Over Alleged False Billing Claims

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Sarah James reiterates CVS Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) with a Neutral and maintains $62 price target.

Reiteration

Cantor Fitzgerald Reiterates Neutral on CVS Health, Maintains $62 Price Target

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>)<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40781082/whats-going-on-with-paypal-stock"> is a buy</a>, according to CNBC's Jim Cramer. 
On Monday, PayPal disclosed an expansion of its strategic partnership with Shopify Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHOP#NYSE">SHOP</a>) in the U.S. 
Per the deal, PayPal will become an additional credit and debit card processor for Shopify Payments through its PayPal Complete Payments solution, providing flexible and advanced developer tools for marketplaces and platforms.
Cramer, on the latest &#8220;Mad Money Lightning Round,&#8221; said Rivian (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) has &#8220;got the money to be able to make it. That doesn't mean that the stock is a buy, it does mean they're going to make it. So, I would say you've got to let it percolate. But it's not anytime soon.&#8221;
The recent $5 billion deal between Volkswagen (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VWAGY#OTC">VWAGY</a>) and U.S. electric vehicle start-up Rivian Automotive has reportedly stirred up discontent among employees at the German automaker's software division Cariad.
&#8220;I think you're fine,&#8221; Cramer said when asked about The Southern Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SO#NYSE">SO</a>). &#8220;Let's say it's a baby growth story.&#8221;
On Aug. 29, Bank of America Securities analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith maintained Southern with a Neutral and raised the price target from $86 to $87.
The Mad Money host said he is concerned about CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>). &#8220;Let's just keep it on ice for the moment,&#8221; he added.
On Sept. 10, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Sarah James reiterated CVS Health with a Neutral and maintained a $62 price target.
The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>) is &#8220;good,&#8221; Cramer said.
On Aug. 13, HD reported second-quarter 2024 sales growth of 0.6% year-over-year to $43.175 billion, marginally missing the consensus estimate of $43.376 billion. Adjusted EPS was $4.67 (-0.2% year over year), beating the consensus of $4.50.
Cramer said he doesn't have anything to say about Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>), adding that it is a &#8220;cold stock.&#8221;
On Sept. 6, S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices announced that Palantir Technologies will be added to the S&amp;P 500 Index, effective prior to the start of trading on Sept. 23.
Cramer said he is a buyer of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ET#NYSE">ET</a>).
On Aug. 9, Energy Transfer announced a secondary public offering of 38,755,996 of its common units.
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>PayPal shares rose 0.7% to settle at $69.35 on Wednesday.</li>
<li>Rivian shares rose 5.3% to close at $13.93 during Wednesday's session.</li>
<li>Palantir shares gained 0.3% to settle at $34.85.</li>
<li>Energy Transfer shares rose 0.3% to close at $15.87.</li>
<li>Southern shares fell 1% to close at $88.77 during Wednesday's session.</li>
<li>CVS fell 1.5% to settle at $56.11 during the session.</li>
<li>Home Depot shares fell 0.1% to close at $370.49 on Wednesday.</li>
</ul>
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Image: Shutterstock

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PayPal Is A Buy, Jim Cramer Says: As For Rivian? 'Let It Percolate'

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) reportedly announced on Tuesday that it will remove AbbVie Inc.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>) blockbuster drug Humira from some of its preferred reimbursement lists starting January 1, 2025. The company will recommend lower-cost biosimilar versions instead.
This move is part of a larger trend in the U.S. pharmaceutical market, as health plans seek to cut costs by promoting alternatives to high-priced drugs.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/07/39695378/ftc-investigation-uncovers-anti-competitive-practices-by-handful-of-pharmacy-benefit-managers-includ" rel="noreferrer noopener">FTC Investigation Uncovers Anti-Competitive Practices By Handful Of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Including CVS Health, UnitedHealth</a>.
Reuters highlights that Amgen Inc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>) Amjevita, managed by its pharmacy benefits unit, Optum Rx, is among the biosimilars covered under UnitedHealth&#8217;s lists for commercial health plans.
With this decision, Optum becomes the last of the three largest U.S. pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to exclude Humira.
Cigna Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>) announced last month that it would remove Humira from some of its lists in 2025, following a similar decision by CVS Health Inc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) Caremark unit in April.
CVS&#8217;s action led to a swift shift, with more patients transitioning to Sandoz Group AG&#8217;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SDZNY#OTC">SDZNY</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SDZXF#OTC">SDZXF</a>) biosimilar version of Humira in just three weeks than in the previous 15 months combined.
Cigna plans to cover biosimilars like Boehringer Ingelheim&#8217;s Cyltezo, Simlandi from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEVA#NYSE">TEVA</a>), and Alvotech&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALVO#NASDAQ">ALVO</a>) products, including an unbranded version of Sandoz&#8217;s Hyrimoz, as replacements for Humira.
UnitedHealth noted that patients would still have access to Humira until the FDA designates the preferred biosimilars as interchangeable with the original drug, per the report. The FDA is expected to make this designation in 2025.
Despite the growing competition, AbbVie has managed to retain a dominant share of the U.S. Humira market throughout 2023. This has been achieved through favorable negotiations with PBMs, even as biosimilar alternatives from companies like Pfizer Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) entered the market.
As per a Reuters report, Humira has still managed to retain over 80% of its patients even after facing lower-priced rivals in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/04/38468317/arthritis-patients-cignas-evernorth-to-offer-humira-biosimilar-at-no-out-of-pocket-cost" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. over the past year</a>.
Following their launch last year, pharmacy benefit managers largely influenced patient access, with minimal incentive for doctors to switch to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/06/39228916/abbvies-arthritis-drug-humira-retains-market-dominance-despite-biosimilar-competition-challenges-" rel="noreferrer noopener">these alternatives</a>.
In May, Cantor Fitzgerald said AbbVie had positioned itself to absorb Humira biosimilar erosion and achieve modest <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/05/38899905/abbvie-is-successfully-positioned-to-absorb-humira-biosimilar-erosion-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">operational revenue growth</a>.
Price Action: UNH stock is down 2% at $587.07 at last check Wednesday.
Photo via Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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UnitedHealth Follows Competitors, Replaces Humira with Lower-Cost Biosimilars

CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) shares are seeing a sell-off that comes in the wake of the recent Trump-Harris debate, which has created a wave of uncertainty in the healthcare sector. Here&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40817347/donald-trump-lost-debate-to-kamala-harris-will-lose-ground-in-the-polls-polymarket-traders">what you need to know.</a>
What To Know: Prediction markets, such as Polymarket, show strong support for Harris's performance, with many expecting her to see a polling boost. Early polling data seems to back these predictions, with Harris leading Trump by a significant margin, as noted by a CNN poll conducted by SSRS. While political debates may not always have a direct impact on the stock market, healthcare stocks are particularly sensitive to policy shifts.
As of Wednesday, CVS is trading with a volume of 3.36 million shares and an RSI reading suggesting it's currently neutral between overbought and oversold. Analysts have weighed in with varying opinions, setting an average price target of $64. Recent downgrades from firms like Cantor Fitzgerald, which lowered its rating to Neutral with a new target of $62, reflect concerns over the company's near-term prospects.
What Else: Beyond the broader political context, CVS Health has also seen a surge in options trading activity. A detailed analysis of recent trades shows that 50% of traders are bullish on the stock, while 41% remain bearish. This mixed sentiment has been reflected in the price targets for CVS over the past three months, with trades targeting a range between $30 and $65. Noteworthy recent trades include a bearish put option expiring in January 2025 with a strike price of $55, valued at $440,000, and a bullish call option expiring in the same month with a strike price of $50, valued at $53,500.
CVS Price Action: CVS shares were down by 1.9% at $55.86 at the time of publication Wednesday, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://benzinga.slack.com/archives/D072651PB4K/p1722883001180099"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="550" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11143155/CVS-1024x550.png" alt="" class="wp-image-543067" style="width:409px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11143155/CVS-1024x550.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11143155/CVS-300x161.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11143155/CVS-768x412.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11143155/CVS.png 1090w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40820092/bitcoin-miner-cleanspark-expands-mining-boundaries-purchases-seven-facilities-for-30m-in-t">Bitcoin Miner CleanSpark Expands Mining Boundaries, Purchases Seven Facilities For $30M In Tennessee</a></li>
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Photo: Around the World Photos via Shutterstock.

Movers

CVS Shares Are Trading Lower Wednesday: What You Need To Know

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on CVS Health. Our analysis of options history for CVS Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) revealed 12 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 50% of traders were bullish, while 41% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 4 were puts, with a value of $525,372, and 8 were calls, valued at $1,210,434.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $30.0 to $65.0 for CVS Health over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in CVS Health's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to CVS Health's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $30.0 to $65.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>CVS Health Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1726069552_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/11/24</td>
<td>$1.91</td>
<td>$1.69</td>
<td>$1.75</td>
<td>$56.00</td>
<td>$854.0K</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.4</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$4.4</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$440.0K</td>
<td>7.8K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$6.6</td>
<td>$6.5</td>
<td>$6.5</td>
<td>$52.50</td>
<td>$79.9K</td>
<td>111</td>
<td>124</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$1.49</td>
<td>$1.39</td>
<td>$1.48</td>
<td>$57.50</td>
<td>$79.4K</td>
<td>4.7K</td>
<td>581</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$7.7</td>
<td>$7.55</td>
<td>$7.64</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$53.5K</td>
<td>983</td>
<td>80</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About CVS Health</h3>
CVS Health offers a diverse set of healthcare services. Its roots are in its retail pharmacy operations, where it operates over 9,000 stores primarily in the us. CVS is also a large pharmacy benefit manager (acquired through Caremark), processing about 2 billion adjusted claims annually. It also operates a top-tier health insurer (acquired through Aetna) where it serves about 26 million medical members. The company's recent acquisition of Oak Street adds primary care services to the mix, which could have significant synergies with all its existing business lines.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding CVS Health, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Current Position of CVS Health</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 3,361,923, the CVS's price is down by -3.44%, now at $54.98. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 49 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for CVS Health</h3>
A total of 3 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $64.0.
<ul>
<li>An analyst from RBC Capital has revised its rating downward to Outperform, adjusting the price target to $68. </li>
<li>Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald lowers its rating to Neutral with a new price target of $62.</li>
<li>An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald has revised its rating downward to Neutral, adjusting the price target to $62. </li>
</ul>
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest CVS Health options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

Behind the Scenes of CVS Health's Latest Options Trends

WIIM

Shares of health insurance companies and providers are trading lower following the Trump-Harris debate.

The City of Baltimore, led by Mayor Brandon M. Scott, reached an $80 million settlement with Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEVA#NYSE">TEVA</a>) to resolve claims against the company for its role in the city&#8217;s opioid epidemic.
Under the agreement, Teva will pay an initial $35 million by the end of 2024, with the remaining amount due by July 1, 2025.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40754258/jp-morgan-shows-most-interest-in-teva-organon-as-specialty-pharma-sector-exhibits-s" rel="noreferrer noopener">JP Morgan Shows Most Interest In Teva, Organon As Specialty Pharma Sector Exhibits Signs Of Stability</a>.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://mayor.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2024-09-09-city-baltimore-reaches-80-million-deal-teva-pharmaceuticals-resolve" rel="noreferrer noopener">settlement</a> is part of Baltimore's broader litigation strategy against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
Previous settlements with AbbVie Inc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>) Allergan, CVS Health Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), and Cardinal Health Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAH#NYSE">CAH</a>) have brought in $322.5 million in total recoveries.
The ongoing legal battle will proceed to trial on Sept. 16 against the remaining defendants, who were responsible for more than half of the opioids distributed in Baltimore.
Mayor Scott emphasized the city's decision to opt out of the national Teva settlement, which would have yielded only $11 million over 13 years. Instead, the new agreement brings in more than seven times that amount in under a year.
Baltimore secured more than three times the funds it would have received from global settlements.
Baltimore will dedicate $5 million to education and outreach about the 988 crisis helpline, $3 million to the Penn North Recovery Center and $2 million to BMore Power.
Additional funds will be administered following the framework detailed in the executive order to address the ongoing epidemic.
In July, Teva announced topline results from its Phase 3 SPACE study evaluating the efficacy of Ajovy (fremanezumab) for the prevention of episodic migraine in children and adolescent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/39843370/tevas-migraine-treatment-found-effective-for-children-as-young-as-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patients aged 6-17</a>.
The trial met its primary endpoint with Ajovy achieving a statistically significant superior efficacy over 12 weeks of treatment compared to placebo.
TEVA Price Action: Teva stock is down 1.43% at $17.55 at last check Tuesday.
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Photo: Ralf Liebhold via Shutterstock

Teva Announces $80M Settlement To Baltimore: City Continues Opioid Litigation Against Other Companies

Ratings for CVS Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) were provided by 9 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $62.33, a high estimate of $68.00, and a low estimate of $58.00. Experiencing a 0.18% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $62.44. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725984014_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
The perception of CVS Health by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sarah James</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ben Hendrix</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$68.00</td>
<td>$68.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sarah James</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Baxter</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$61.00</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>George Hill</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$63.00</td>
<td>$64.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Mok</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$63.00</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sarah James</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
<td>$58.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Elizabeth Anderson</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sarah James</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$58.00</td>
<td>$58.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to CVS Health. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of CVS Health compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts explore the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of CVS Health's stock. This examination reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of CVS Health's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CVS/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on CVS Health analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know CVS Health Better</h2>
CVS Health offers a diverse set of healthcare services. Its roots are in its retail pharmacy operations, where it operates over 9,000 stores primarily in the us. CVS is also a large pharmacy benefit manager (acquired through Caremark), processing about 2 billion adjusted claims annually. It also operates a top-tier health insurer (acquired through Aetna) where it serves about 26 million medical members. The company's recent acquisition of Oak Street adds primary care services to the mix, which could have significant synergies with all its existing business lines.
<h3>Understanding the Numbers: CVS Health's Finances</h3>
Market Capitalization: Surpassing industry standards, the company's market capitalization asserts its dominance in terms of size, suggesting a robust market position.
Revenue Growth: CVS Health's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 June, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 2.6%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Health Care sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 1.94%, the company may need to address challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): CVS Health's ROE is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 2.38%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.7%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: CVS Health's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 1.12.
<h2>The Significance of Analyst Ratings Explained</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What 9 Analyst Ratings Have To Say About CVS Health

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on CVS Health.
Looking at options history for CVS Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) we detected 10 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 50% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 30% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 4 are puts, for a total amount of $897,570 and 6, calls, for a total amount of $412,367.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $50.0 and $70.0 for CVS Health, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of CVS Health stands at 2599.56, with a total volume reaching 5,004.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in CVS Health, situated within the strike price corridor from $50.0 to $70.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>CVS Health 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725912939_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$5.1</td>
<td>$4.9</td>
<td>$4.9</td>
<td>$57.50</td>
<td>$735.0K</td>
<td>5.4K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$1.98</td>
<td>$1.96</td>
<td>$1.96</td>
<td>$57.50</td>
<td>$117.3K</td>
<td>3.1K</td>
<td>765</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$11.5</td>
<td>$11.25</td>
<td>$11.25</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$112.5K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>201</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$2.96</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$57.50</td>
<td>$60.0K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>259</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$13.95</td>
<td>$13.85</td>
<td>$13.89</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$59.7K</td>
<td>2.9K</td>
<td>43</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About CVS Health</h3>
CVS Health offers a diverse set of healthcare services. Its roots are in its retail pharmacy operations, where it operates over 9,000 stores primarily in the us. CVS is also a large pharmacy benefit manager (acquired through Caremark), processing about 2 billion adjusted claims annually. It also operates a top-tier health insurer (acquired through Aetna) where it serves about 26 million medical members. The company's recent acquisition of Oak Street adds primary care services to the mix, which could have significant synergies with all its existing business lines.
In light of the recent options history for CVS Health, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of CVS Health</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 8,551,616, the price of CVS is down -2.22% at $56.47. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 51 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On CVS Health</h3>
In the last month, 3 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $63.666666666666664.
<ul>
<li>An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald has revised its rating downward to Neutral, adjusting the price target to $62. </li>
<li>An analyst from Wells Fargo has decided to maintain their Equal-Weight rating on CVS Health, which currently sits at a price target of $61. </li>
<li>An analyst from RBC Capital has revised its rating downward to Outperform, adjusting the price target to $68. </li>
</ul>
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for CVS Health with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

CVS Health's Options: A Look at What the Big Money is Thinking

During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/yield-investments"> high dividend payout</a>.
Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">by analyst accuracy</a>.
Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the health care sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Patterson Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDCO#NASDAQ">PDCO</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 4.93%</li>
<li>Baird analyst Jeff Johnson maintained a Neutral rating and cut the price target from $30 to $28 on Aug. 29. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 78%.</li>
<li>Evercore ISI Group analyst Ross Muken maintained an In-Line rating and lowered the price target from $25 to $23 on Aug. 29. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%.</li>
<li>Recent News: On Aug. 28, Patterson Companies reported worse-than-expected first-quarter adjusted EPS and sales.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro's real-time newsfeed alerted to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">latest PDCO news</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 3.01%</li>
<li>Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Louise Chen reiterated an Overweight rating with a price target of $215 on Sept. 3. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 72%.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Terence Flynn maintained an Equal-Weight rating and raised the price target from $167 to $169 on July 18. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 72%.</li>
<li>Recent News: Johnson &amp; Johnson will host a conference call on Tuesday, Oct. 15th to review third-quarter results.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s charting tool helped identify the<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard"> trend in JNJ stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Dividend Yield: 4.58%</li>
<li>RBC Capital analyst Ben Hendrix reiterated an Outperform rating with a price target of $68 on Sept. 4. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 76%.</li>
<li>Barclays analyst Andrew Mok maintained an Equal-Weight rating and cut the price target from $65 to $63 on Aug. 8. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 74%.</li>
<li>Recent News: On Aug. 14, CVS Health named Heidi Capozzi Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer.</li>
<li>Benzinga Pro&#8217;s signals feature notified of a potential <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">breakout in CVS shares.</a></li>
</ul>

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
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</div>
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Read More:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/09/40730015/jim-cramer-oklo-is-losing-money-hand-over-fist-but-this-private-equity-stock-is-a-buy"> Jim Cramer: Oklo Is Losing Money &#8216;Hand-Over-Fist,&#8217; But This Private Equity Stock Is A Buy</a></li>
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PDCO

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on CVS Health. Our analysis of options history for CVS Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) revealed 8 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 62% of traders were bullish, while 37% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 3 were puts, with a value of $174,625, and 5 were calls, valued at $210,640.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $55.0 to $67.5 for CVS Health during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for CVS Health's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of CVS Health's whale trades within a strike price range from $55.0 to $67.5 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>CVS Health Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725568286_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$3.7</td>
<td>$3.6</td>
<td>$3.6</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$81.7K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>227</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$2.41</td>
<td>$2.38</td>
<td>$2.38</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$66.8K</td>
<td>6.8K</td>
<td>353</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$1.87</td>
<td>$1.84</td>
<td>$1.84</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$52.4K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$2.11</td>
<td>$2.08</td>
<td>$2.11</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$42.2K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td>415</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$2.14</td>
<td>$2.0</td>
<td>$2.0</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$40.0K</td>
<td>4.9K</td>
<td>815</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About CVS Health</h3>
CVS Health offers a diverse set of healthcare services. Its roots are in its retail pharmacy operations, where it operates over 9,000 stores primarily in the us. CVS is also a large pharmacy benefit manager (acquired through Caremark), processing about 2 billion adjusted claims annually. It also operates a top-tier health insurer (acquired through Aetna) where it serves about 26 million medical members. The company's recent acquisition of Oak Street adds primary care services to the mix, which could have significant synergies with all its existing business lines.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding CVS Health, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>CVS Health's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 6,995,380, the CVS's price is down by -2.07%, now at $58.07. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 55 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On CVS Health</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $63.4.
<ul>
<li>Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Evercore ISI Group continues to hold a Outperform rating for CVS Health, targeting a price of $62. </li>
<li>Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Deutsche Bank keeps a Hold rating on CVS Health with a target price of $63. </li>
<li>An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald persists with their Neutral rating on CVS Health, maintaining a target price of $62. </li>
<li>An analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded its action to Neutral with a price target of $62. </li>
<li>Reflecting concerns, an analyst from RBC Capital lowers its rating to Outperform with a new price target of $68.</li>
</ul>
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for CVS Health, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

What the Options Market Tells Us About CVS Health

Press Releases

The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz Reminds Investors of Looming Deadline in the Class Action Lawsuit Against CVS Health Corporation (CVS)

CVS Investors Have Opportunity to Lead CVS Health Corporation Securities Fraud Lawsuit With the Schall Law Firm

SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Reminds Shareholders with Losses on their Investment in CVS Health Corporation of Class Action Lawsuit and Upcoming Deadlines - CVS

Levi & Korsinsky Reminds Shareholders of a Lead Plaintiff Deadline of September 10, 2024 in CVS Lawsuit - CVS

CVS Investors Have Opportunity to Join CVS Health Corporation Fraud Investigation with the Schall Law Firm

Shareholders that lost money on CVS Health Corporation(CVS) Urged to Join Class Action – Contact The Gross Law Firm to Learn More

CVS Health supporting customers, patients, members and colleagues as Tropical Storm Francine approaches

CVS Pharmacy® launches birth control prescribing in Massachusetts

CVS ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is Investigating CVS Health Corporation on Behalf of Long-Term Stockholders and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm

CVS Health announces quarterly dividend

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