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On Wednesday, Bernstein analysts maintained their Outperform rating and $585.00 price target for Elevance Health Inc. (NYSE:ELV), reflecting confidence in the company’s stable performance and growth prospects. According to InvestingPro data, the company’s current Fair Value analysis suggests the stock is undervalued, with 10 analysts recently revising their earnings estimates upward for the upcoming period. Elevance announced its first-quarter results for 2025, revealing an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $11.97, which is 5% higher than the consensus estimates. The company’s revenues for the quarter were reported at $48.9 billion, also exceeding consensus estimates by 5%. With a market capitalization of $94.15 billion and trailing twelve-month revenue of $176.81 billion, Elevance maintains its position as a prominent player in the Healthcare Providers & Services industry. For deeper insights into Elevance’s financial performance, InvestingPro subscribers can access comprehensive analysis and additional metrics in the Pro Research Report.
Elevance’s medical loss ratio (MLR) was reported at 86.4%, approximately 60 basis points below the consensus, indicating a better-than-expected cost management. The company also confirmed its earnings guidance for the year 2025, projecting an EPS range of $34.15 to $34.85.
A significant highlight of the quarter was the robust growth in Elevance’s Carelon division, which saw its revenues surge to $16.7 billion, marking a 37.9% increase year-over-year and surpassing consensus predictions by 7%. Carelon’s adjusted operating margins were slightly lower at 6.6%, compared to 7.1% in the previous year. InvestingPro analysis shows Elevance maintains strong financial health with an overall score of "GREAT," supported by solid profitability metrics and moderate debt levels. The growth in Carelon was attributed to an increase in pharmacy volumes and enhanced performance from risk-based capabilities.
Carelon’s Rx segment experienced a 25.4% growth year-over-year, while its Services segment jumped by 63.0%, partly fueled by recent acquisitions. Bernstein analysts noted that Elevance’s commentary on Carelon aligns with their long-term outlook for the company. They believe Elevance is actively building out its services business, aiming to compete with UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) in terms of impact, without directly copying UnitedHealth’s product mix. This strategy is expected to cater not only to Elevance’s membership but also to an additional 65 million members under other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. The company’s strong market position is further reinforced by its consistent dividend growth, having raised dividends for 14 consecutive years, and maintaining a P/E ratio of 16.24. Discover more valuable insights about Elevance and similar healthcare companies through InvestingPro’s extensive database of financial metrics and expert analysis.
In other recent news, Elevance Health Inc. reported impressive financial results for the first quarter of 2025, exceeding Wall Street’s expectations. The company achieved an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $11.97, surpassing the forecasted $11.08, while revenue reached $48.8 billion, exceeding the anticipated $46.27 billion. This performance marks a 10% year-over-year increase in EPS and a 15% rise in revenue. Additionally, Elevance Health reaffirmed its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance, projecting earnings between $34.15 and $34.85. The company’s Carillon segment showed strong growth, with a 34% increase in operating gain. Elevance Health is also focusing on its Medicare Advantage bid strategy for 2026 and expects over 60% of its earnings in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, the company has completed the acquisition of CareBridge, enhancing its capabilities in home and community-based services. These recent developments indicate that Elevance Health is maintaining its growth momentum and strategic focus.
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