The Cigna Group Raises 2026 Earnings Outlook and Sets 2030 Targets

The Cigna Group updated its financial targets following its third-quarter financial results. At an investor conference, Chief Financial Officer Ann Dennison revealed that the insurer is targeting earnings per share of at least $45 by 2030. The company projects long-term expansion of 10% to 14%, combining 6% to 9% from operating earnings growth with 4% to 5% from capital allocation. That baseline projection assumes zero growth in pharmacy benefit services through the end of the decade, with specialty business expanding 8% to 12% to generate roughly 40% of earnings.

For the full 2026 fiscal year, leadership raised the lower bound for adjusted income from operations by $0.15 to at least $30.60 per share, or 30.60 US dollars. The company lifted Cigna Healthcare's adjusted pretax earnings floor by $50 million, or 50 million dollars, establishing a minimum target of 4.6 billion dollars, or at least 4.6 billion US dollars. The Evernorth annual target remained steady at a minimum of 6.9 billion dollars, or at least 6.9 billion US dollars.

During the third quarter, total revenue advanced 6 percent year over year to 73.7 billion dollars, or 73.7 billion US dollars. Adjusted operating income rose to 2.1 billion dollars, or $7.98 per share, compared to $7.83 per share in the prior-year period. Net income attributable to shareholders fell to $1.4 billion, reflecting $5.47 per share, down from the previous year's $1.9 billion, or $6.98 per share, which was bolstered by an after-tax divestiture gain.

Performance varied across operating segments. Cigna Healthcare grew adjusted revenue 9 percent to 11.7 billion dollars, lifting adjusted pretax earnings 15 percent to 1.2 billion dollars thanks to better operational efficiency and stronger net investment income. Evernorth generated 63.8 billion dollars in adjusted revenue, but adjusted pretax income dropped 4 percent to 1.8 billion dollars. A 22 percent earnings drop in Pharmacy Benefit Services to 765 million dollars—driven by contract renewals and strategic spending—was partly cushioned by a 15 percent increase in Specialty and Care Services earnings to 1.1 billion dollars.

Company leadership identified 2027 as an operational trough for pharmacy benefits caused by shrinking rebate pools and reduced employer coverage of GLP-1 treatments. To drive recovery, Cigna plans to introduce its Signature pharmacy model across 2027 and 2028 and aims for $3 billion in annualized gross savings from modernization efforts. Additionally, the company intends to complete its departure from the Individual and Family Plans medical sector on January 1, 2027.