CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 7.900-8.100 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 7.440. The company issued revenue guidance of $414.0M-, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $409.2 billion.

CVS Health Stock Performance

CVS stock traded down $4.82 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $99.60. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 12,096,488 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,414,585. CVS Health has a 1 year low of $62.52 and a 1 year high of $110.68. The stock has a market cap of $127.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.91, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.61. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $101.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $87.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The pharmacy operator reported $2.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.72. CVS Health had a net margin of 0.72% and a return on equity of 11.88%. The company had revenue of $106.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $100.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.81 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. CVS Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.900-8.100 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that CVS Health will post 7.46 EPS for the current year.

CVS Health Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.665 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This represents a $2.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. CVS Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 117.18%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded CVS Health from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $113.00 target price on shares of CVS Health in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on CVS Health from $92.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on CVS Health from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, June 8th. Finally, HSBC reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $103.00 target price on shares of CVS Health in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Twenty-one investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $105.67.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Larry Robbins sold 370,462 shares of CVS Health stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.45, for a total transaction of $34,619,673.90. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,824,799 shares in the company, valued at approximately $450,877,466.55. This trade represents a 7.13% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Tilak Mandadi sold 69,551 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.58, for a total transaction of $6,230,378.58. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 10,133 shares in the company, valued at approximately $907,714.14. This trade represents a 87.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 3,441,551 shares of company stock worth $323,703,977. Insiders own 0.85% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting CVS Health

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

• Positive Sentiment: CVS reported adjusted earnings of $2.58 per share, well above the roughly $1.86-$1.87 consensus, while revenue rose 7.3% year over year to $106.1 billion, also exceeding estimates. CVS raises guidance as it posts nearly $3B in profit, $106B in revenue for Q2
• Positive Sentiment: Improved medical-cost trends at Aetna, a more profitable pharmacy-drug mix and bonus payments tied to highly rated government health plans helped drive the nearly $2.9 billion quarterly profit. All three major segments—insurance, pharmacy and health services—beat revenue expectations. CVS blows past estimates, hikes guidance as insurance unit continues to improve
• Positive Sentiment: CVS raised its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to $7.90-$8.10 from $7.30-$7.50, increased GAAP EPS guidance to $6.84-$7.04, and lifted operating-cash-flow guidance to at least $11.5 billion from $9.5 billion. Year-to-date operating cash flow was $10.6 billion. CVS Health Corporation reports strong second quarter 2026 results and raises guidance
• Positive Sentiment: The company launched an expanded GLP-1 weight-management offering and a collaboration with Eli Lilly, including access to Zepbound through CVS Pharmacy, lower-cost MinuteClinic digital visits and same-day prescription pickup. The initiative could support growth in pharmacy, care delivery and consumer health services. CVS enhances direct-to-consumer weight management offerings

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Swiss RE Ltd. purchased a new stake in CVS Health in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its stake in shares of CVS Health by 407.2% during the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 350 shares of the pharmacy operator’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of CVS Health in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of CVS Health in the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Prosperity Bancshares Inc bought a new position in shares of CVS Health during the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Institutional investors own 80.66% of the company’s stock.

CVS Health Company Profile

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.