CVS Health CorpCVSTOP PICKNov 26, 2020Stock 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)
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly CVS, the 2nd largest pharmacy in the US, recently came under pressure with the announcement of Amazon stepping into the pharmacy space. However, now trading at 11x earnings, CVS is good value here -- especially after announcing they are hiring 15,000 staff in Q4 to likely become a mass vaccine distributor. Recent earnings of $1.66 per share beat expectations of $1.34. Management raised guidance of annual 2020 earnings to $7.35-$7.42 per share, above analyst calls for $7.23. It pays a great dividend, backed by a 33% payout ratio. We would buy this with a stop-loss at $57, looking to achieve over $82 -- over 21% potential. Yield 2.96% (Analysts’ price target is $82.43)