Optas LLC Acquires 215 Shares of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI)

Optas LLC increased its holdings in The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) by 4.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,323 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the period. Optas LLC’s holdings in The Cigna Group were worth $1,470,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of CI. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC grew 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 valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of The Cigna Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of The Cigna Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of The Cigna Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of The Cigna Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Institutional investors own 86.99% of the company’s stock.

The Cigna Group Price Performance

Shares of CI stock opened at $292.56 on Tuesday. The Cigna Group has a 1-year low of $262.03 and a 1-year high of $370.83. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $294.40 and its 200 day moving average is $324.18. The company has a market cap of $81.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.90, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.54. 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The health services provider reported $6.64 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $6.79 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that The Cigna Group will post 29.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Cigna Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be given a $1.51 dividend. This is a boost from The Cigna Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 5th. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.06%. The Cigna Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.75%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have commented on CI shares. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their price objective on The Cigna Group from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Oppenheimer cut their price target on shares of The Cigna Group from $400.00 to $375.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $348.00 target price (down from $394.00) on shares of The Cigna Group in a research note on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of The Cigna Group from $398.00 to $394.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on The Cigna Group from $420.00 to $339.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $378.00.

About The Cigna Group

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.