Is Cigna Group Shares Lagging Behind the Dow?

The Cigna Group: A Comprehensive Health Services Powerhouse

Headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, The Cigna Group (CI) stands out as a major player in the health services sector, combining insurance offerings with integrated care solutions. Through its Evernorth and Cigna Healthcare divisions, the company provides a wide array of services, including pharmacy benefit management, medical and specialty insurance, Medicare plans, behavioral health support, and risk protection products tailored for employers.

With a market capitalization approaching $76 billion, Cigna firmly occupies the large-cap category, reserved for companies valued above $10 billion. This significant scale enhances its bargaining power with healthcare providers and pharmaceutical firms, while also enabling strategic investments in innovation and targeted growth initiatives.

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Stock Performance Overview

Currently, Cigna’s stock is trading 17.5% below its 52-week peak of $350, which was set in May 2025. Over the last quarter, the shares have risen by 3.8%, slightly lagging behind the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s 4.4% increase.

During the past year, CI shares have underperformed the Dow Jones, falling 5.4% while the Dow advanced nearly 14%. However, the trend shifted in 2026, with CI stock gaining 4.9% year-to-date, outpacing the Dow’s 3% rise.

From a technical perspective, CI stock regained its 50-day moving average in late December 2025 after briefly dipping below it in November. Since then, the stock has mostly remained above this level, with the 50-day average now at $279.40, indicating stronger short-term momentum.

Despite this, the shares remain under the 200-day moving average of $291.33, a resistance point that has limited gains since mid-2025.

Recent Financial Results and Outlook

Operational improvements have supported the positive momentum. On February 5, Cigna’s shares climbed 4.7% following the release of its fourth-quarter 2025 results. Revenue increased by 10.4% year-over-year to $72.5 billion, surpassing analyst forecasts of $69.9 billion. Adjusted earnings per share rose 21.7% to $8.08, exceeding the consensus estimate of $7.88.

Management attributed the strong quarter to significant growth in Evernorth’s specialty and care services, successful integration of biosimilars, and disciplined execution across its health benefits segment.

Looking forward, Cigna anticipates full-year 2026 consolidated adjusted revenue of around $280 billion and expects adjusted operating income of at least $30.25 per share. Due to typical earnings seasonality, first-quarter EPS is projected to be slightly above 25% of the annual guidance.

Industry Comparison and Analyst Sentiment

For perspective, competitor Centene Corporation (CNC) saw its shares drop 24.6% over the past year, though it has rebounded 4.3% year-to-date. This comparison underscores the challenges faced by the broader managed care industry in the last year.

Despite recent volatility, The Cigna Group continues to earn strong support from Wall Street, thanks to its consistent operational performance. CI stock holds a “Strong Buy” consensus from 23 analysts, reflecting confidence in the company’s earnings stability and strategic direction.

The average analyst price target of $336.18 suggests a potential upside of 16.4% from current levels, indicating expectations for further growth as the company’s fundamentals remain solid.