CVS Health raised its 2026 adjusted operating income outlook for its Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness segment by $220 million to at least $6.4 billion, citing higher prescription volumes and better pharmacy economics. In the second quarter of 2026, adjusted operating income for the segment rose 10.2% year over year to $1.48 billion, same-store prescription volume climbed 7%, and prescriptions filled increased 4.3% on a 30-day equivalent basis, while the segment's gross margin improved to 19.3% from 17.9% a year earlier. The company is also expanding access to GLP-1 therapies through its pharmacy network, MinuteClinic services and cash-pay options, and in July 2026 began the targeted launch of Health100, including Haio, its AI-powered health assistant, while Aetna launched a second-generation Claims Assist Manager that management expects to cut processing time by more than 20% for complex claims requiring manual review. CVS shares have gained 32.9% over the past year, outpacing UnitedHealth Group's 13% rise and Cigna Group's 8% decline, and the stock trades at a forward five-year price-to-sales of 0.29X versus an industry average of 0.53X. The company still faces reimbursement pressure, an insufficient 2027 Medicare Advantage payment update in management's view, and regulatory scrutiny, including challenges to pharmacy ownership laws in Arkansas and Tennessee. The Zacks Consensus Estimate implies 2026 sales growth of 3.8% and EPS growth of 18.1% year over year.
CVS Health CorpCVS raised its 2026 Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness adjusted operating income outlook by $220M to at least $6.4B on higher prescription volumes and better pharmacy economics.
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