On Friday, Bernstein SocGen Group reiterated its positive stance on CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI), reiterating an Outperform rating and a $411.00 price target.
The firm highlighted Cigna (NYSE:CI)'s unique position in the specialty drug market, which is valued around $400 billion and growing in the high single digits. According to the firm, Cigna's presence in both the pharmacy benefits and medical benefits segments allows it to tap into the entire market.
The specialty drug market, where Cigna operates, is split between pharmacy benefits, which make up about 60% and include orals and self-injectables, and medical benefits administered in provider settings, which account for the remaining 40%. CuraScript and Carepath primarily serve this latter segment. Cigna's dual presence in these markets positions it to benefit from the entire market's potential.
Cigna anticipates long-term average annual earnings growth of 8-12% for its Specialty and Care Services, with the Specialty segment expected to grow between 8-11%. This growth is projected to stem from secular industry growth of 7-9% and an additional 2% from share gains. The company identifies several growth drivers for the industry, including the adoption of biosimilars, which are expected to present a roughly $100 billion opportunity by the end of the decade, and drug innovation in rare diseases, with approximately 20 gene cell therapies currently on the market and many more in development.
The firm also noted the value proposition of Accredo, Cigna's specialty pharmacy, which stands out due to specialized clinical support resources, a scaled operating model, comprehensive drug access, and the ability to compete across the entire market. These factors are believed to set Accredo apart from its competitors.
Lastly, the firm addressed the impact of policy on the specialty pharmacy industry. It suggested that while regulation has mostly focused on the legacy pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) business, Cigna has successfully educated regulators on the differences between their business model and the legacy PBM business, demonstrating the value they add and the critical nature of their services to patients.
In other recent news, Cigna reported a significant increase in its second-quarter earnings for 2024, with total revenue of $60.5 billion, marking a 25% growth year-over-year, and adjusted earnings per share of $6.72, a 10% increase. The robust growth was primarily driven by its Evernorth Health Services and Care Services segments.
InvestingPro Insights
As Bernstein SocGen Group maintains a bullish outlook on CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI), InvestingPro data and tips further illuminate the company's financial health and market position. With a market capitalization of $96.44 billion and a robust revenue growth of 16.11% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, Cigna's financials reflect its strong presence in the healthcare industry. The company's P/E ratio stands at an adjusted 18.05, suggesting a reasonable valuation relative to earnings.
InvestingPro Tips highlight Cigna's commitment to rewarding shareholders, as evidenced by its aggressive share buyback strategy and a consistent history of dividend payments for 43 consecutive years, including a 13.82% dividend growth in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This underscores Cigna's financial stability and its ability to return value to its investors, aligning with the company's growth prospects in the specialty drug market.
Additionally, Cigna's stock stability is reflected in its low price volatility, making it an attractive option for investors seeking steady performance. For readers interested in a deeper dive into CIGNA Corporation's financials and market prospects, there are over 10 additional InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/CI, providing a comprehensive analysis of the company's investment potential.
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