Avitas Wealth Management LLC Raises Stock Holdings in The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI)

Avitas Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) by 13.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,556 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 1,978 shares during the period. Avitas Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in The Cigna Group were worth $4,572,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of CI. ORG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in The Cigna Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in The Cigna Group by 2,500.0% during the 3rd quarter. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC now owns 104 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in The Cigna Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in The Cigna Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in The Cigna Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. Institutional investors own 86.99% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on CI shares. Raymond James reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating and set a $360.00 target price (down previously from $415.00) on shares of The Cigna Group in a report on Friday, January 31st. Barclays dropped their price target on The Cigna Group from $420.00 to $339.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on The Cigna Group from $398.00 to $394.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on The Cigna Group from $370.00 to $341.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Oppenheimer dropped their price target on The Cigna Group from $400.00 to $375.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Cigna Group has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $376.63.

The Cigna Group Stock Down 0.2 %

CI opened at $291.84 on Wednesday. The Cigna Group has a 12 month low of $262.03 and a 12 month high of $370.83. The stock has a market cap of $81.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.84, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.54. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $293.59 and its 200 day moving average price is $323.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.72.

The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The health services provider reported $6.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.84 by ($1.20). The Cigna Group had a net margin of 1.39% and a return on equity of 18.61%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $6.79 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that The Cigna Group will post 29.66 earnings per share for the current year.

The Cigna Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be given a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 5th. This is a boost from The Cigna Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.07%. The Cigna Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.75%.

The Cigna Group Profile

The Cigna Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and related products and services in the United States. Its Evernorth Health Services segment provides a range of coordinated and point solution health services, including pharmacy benefits, home delivery pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, distribution, and care delivery and management solutions to health plans, employers, government organizations, and health care providers.