CVS Health CorpCVSTOP PICKAug 21, 2018Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 05, 2026. Market Open.
Bought at less than 10x earnings with recent dividend increase is good for share price appreciation. Recent M&A also good for investors. Will continue to own shares. Excellent management team and solid dividend. Weakness is sector creating opportunities to buyout competitors.
Price target was raised today. This peaked in 2020-1 then was hit with a lot of bad news, like doubts over Signify and Oak Street acquisitions. But that negative sentiment has reversed, like their Medicare Advantage stars rating has gone up, and the street sees profitability rising in their pharmacy benefits management system, based on a new model last month. Trades under a cheap PE and pays a 3% dividend. He targets over $100 in 12 months. Is underloved and over-owned.
Healthcare has lagged this year. They run a chain of pharmacies, Aetna health insurance, pharmacy management and recently bought Oak Health. The CEO is doing a great job, and shares are not expensive around 8.5x PE. They took one some debt to bought some companies, but once they integrated them, it will ramp up cash flow.
(Analysts’ price target is $87.45)
Eighteen percent of GDP goes to health in the United States, compared to 11% in Canada. CVS is trying to be a health solution to the US population and is well positioned to do it. Their purchase of Aetna gives them a large and strong insurance component. Caremark is a pharmacy benefits manager that gives them buying power with the drug companies and enables them to price their insurance favorably. They have 10,000 storefronts, a store within 3 miles of 70% of the population. CVS has been beaten down out of a fear that Amazon would take the business, but it is a large company of seasoned professionals in a highly regulated industry. They are not going to roll over for Amazon. Yield 2.7%. (Analysts’ price target is $85.95)