The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) Position Increased by National Pension Service

National Pension Service boosted its position in shares of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) by 1.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 628,867 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 9,750 shares during the period. National Pension Service owned 0.23% of The Cigna Group worth $173,655,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. AMF Tjanstepension AB boosted its holdings in The Cigna Group by 18.6% in the third quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 73,600 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $25,511,000 after purchasing an additional 11,550 shares in the last quarter. Swedbank AB increased its holdings in shares of The Cigna Group by 26.6% during the 3rd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 570,283 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $197,569,000 after acquiring an additional 119,681 shares during the last quarter. Avitas Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of The Cigna Group by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Avitas Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,578 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $5,050,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in The Cigna Group by 21.1% in the 3rd quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 4,729 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,505,000 after purchasing an additional 825 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Highline Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in The Cigna Group during the third quarter worth approximately $665,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.99% of the company’s stock.

The Cigna Group Trading Down 2.8 %

Shares of The Cigna Group stock opened at $305.15 on Thursday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $288.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $318.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $84.88 billion, a PE ratio of 24.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.54. The Cigna Group has a 52-week low of $262.03 and a 52-week high of $370.83. 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 posted 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 return on equity of 18.61% and a net margin of 1.39%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $6.79 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that The Cigna Group will post 29.77 EPS for the current year.

The Cigna Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be paid a $1.51 dividend. This is a positive change from The Cigna Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 5th. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.98%. The Cigna Group’s payout ratio is currently 49.35%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CI has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of The Cigna Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Raymond James reiterated a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $360.00 target price (down previously from $415.00) on shares of The Cigna Group in a report on Friday, January 31st. Royal Bank of Canada set a $355.00 price target on shares of The Cigna Group in a report on Friday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on 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, UBS Group decreased their target price on The Cigna Group from $410.00 to $390.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Two investment 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $372.31.

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.