Vaughan David Investments LLC IL Increases Stock Holdings in The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI)

Vaughan David Investments LLC IL raised its position in The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) by 1.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 144,147 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 2,370 shares during the quarter. Vaughan David Investments LLC IL owned about 0.05% of The Cigna Group worth $39,805,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Swedbank AB boosted its holdings in shares of The Cigna Group by 55.1% in the 4th quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 884,406 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $244,220,000 after purchasing an additional 314,123 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of The Cigna Group by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 14,230,397 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $4,929,978,000 after purchasing an additional 279,880 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in shares of The Cigna Group by 68.4% in the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 497,875 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $137,483,000 after purchasing an additional 202,161 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in The Cigna Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $69,972,000. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its holdings in The Cigna Group by 995.9% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 215,900 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $74,796,000 after acquiring an additional 196,200 shares during the period. 86.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

The Cigna Group Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:CI opened at $300.80 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The Cigna Group has a 12 month low of $262.03 and a 12 month high of $370.83. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $286.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $319.23. The company has a market cap of $83.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.58, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.54.

The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 18.61% and a net margin of 1.39%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $6.79 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Cigna Group will post 29.77 earnings per share for the current year.

The Cigna Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be issued a dividend of $1.51 per share. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.01%. This is a positive change from The Cigna Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 5th. The Cigna Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.35%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on CI shares. Stephens lowered their price target on The Cigna Group from $410.00 to $380.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on The Cigna Group from $403.00 to $379.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Barclays reduced their price objective on The Cigna Group from $420.00 to $339.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Royal Bank of Canada set a $355.00 price target on The Cigna Group in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $348.00 price target (down from $394.00) on shares of The Cigna Group in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. 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 company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Cigna Group has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $372.31.

The Cigna Group Company 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.