CVS Health Corp logo

CVS Health Corp(CVS)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
2-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$83.85
11/06/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1Y
  • 1M
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  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
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  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CVS

11/06/2026: CVS (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

CVS Health is a large-scale, vertically integrated healthcare company operating across retail pharmacy, insurance, and primary care delivery. Its primary strength lies in its extensive physical footprint and ability to manage patient care across multiple touchpoints. The company's main growth narrative centers on integrating recently acquired primary care businesses like Oak Street Health to shift toward value-based care. However, investors face risks from rising medical costs, regulatory scrutiny of pharmacy benefit managers, and intense competition. The stock may be a strong fit for dividend-focused and value-oriented investors, while those seeking growth should monitor margins and the success of its health services integration.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitCVS is a mature business focusing on integration and operational efficiency rather than rapid top-line growth.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock has faced recent headwinds, making it less attractive for momentum-based strategies until a clear upturn occurs.
Value investorStrong fitCurrent valuations often reflect significant discount due to sector-wide healthcare cost concerns, potentially offering value.
Dividend investorStrong fitCVS provides a reliable dividend yield supported by significant cash flow from its essential health services.
Low-risk investorMixed fitWhile the business is essential, exposure to regulatory and insurance-related earnings volatility adds risk.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumHealthcare policy shifts and insurance earnings reports can cause sharp stock price fluctuations.
Valuation riskLowThe stock is currently priced to reflect significant operational challenges, potentially limiting downside risk.
Competition risk (Insurance and PBM)Medium / highIntense competition from UnitedHealth and Cigna puts pressure on margins in the PBM and insurance segments.
Business qualityStrongThe company operates essential infrastructure in the US healthcare system with massive scale.
Dividend incomeStrongHistory of consistent payouts suggests a reliable income stream for shareholders.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccessfully integrating recent primary care acquisitions like Oak Street Health is critical for future margins.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -5.28%
Avg. Invested days 36
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/06/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
CVS receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid quantitative characteristics, and strong analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
CVS has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, soft growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-61.7%), soft cash generation (FCF margin 1.9%), moderate revenue growth (+7.8%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
CVS's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $7.8B (1.9% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is CVS's strongest growth driver at +23.4% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-61.7%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 91.0% and approximately 99.8% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.06%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 9.63%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.51%
Capital World Investors 5.86%
State Street Corp 4.71%
Dodge & Cox 3.91%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
CVS generates approximately $138 of gross profit, $26 of operating income, and $19 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Weak margins explain the 2-star rating, with moderate cash conversion and soft capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 19.10%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
CVS has a large-cap, liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilityLarge / Mega Cap StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 107.28B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 9.74
1Y Target Price 115.48
Price to earnings Ratio 9.74
1Y Target Price 115.48
Volume (30-day avg) 10.2M shares
Beta 0.58
52 Weeks Range 67.99 - 109.22
Updated Date 11/07/2026
52 Weeks Range 67.99 - 109.22
Updated Date 11/07/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 3.27%
Basic EPS (TTM) 8.61

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Health Care BenefitsAetna insurance premiums and plan administration.This is a stable, recurring revenue stream from insurance premiums.
Pharmacy & Consumer WellnessRetail pharmacy sales and over-the-counter health products.This segment provides a physical retail presence and high consumer touch-points.
Health ServicesCaremark PBM services and primary care clinics.This is a high-volume business managing drug costs and direct patient care.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-11-04
When Before Market
Estimate 1.62
Actual 2.09

Profitability

Profit Margin 2.64%
Operating Margin (TTM) 2.72%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 3.11%
Return on Equity (TTM) 14.36%

Valuation

Trailing PE 9.74
Forward PE 9.62
Enterprise Value 167.69B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.26
Enterprise Value 167.69B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.26
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.39
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.35
Shares Outstanding 1.28B
Shares Floating 1.28B
Shares Outstanding 1.28B
Shares Floating 1.28B
Percent Insiders 0.06
Percent Institutions 90.97

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.