Cigna Group lifts 2026 profit outlook on strong health services earnings
Cigna reported second‑quarter 2026 results that beat expectations, with total revenue rising 7% year‑over‑year to $71.7 billion. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $7.78, topping the $7.60 forecast.
The insurer raised its 2026 adjusted profit forecast by $0.10, to at least $30.45 per share. Growth was driven by its Evernorth Health Services unit, whose adjusted revenue reached $61.5 billion, up 6%, reflecting higher use of specialty drugs for complex conditions.
Cigna’s medical loss ratio climbed to 84.5% for the quarter, compared with 83.2% a year earlier. The company is reducing exposure to government‑backed health insurance, having exited Medicare Advantage and announcing it will cease offering Affordable Care Act plans at the end of 2026, while refocusing on employer‑sponsored coverage and its pharmacy‑benefits‑management business. CEO Brian C. Evanko highlighted the role of technology and AI in improving access and lowering costs.
Entities: Ann Dennison · Brian C. Evanko · Centene Corporation · Cigna Group · Drew Asher · Evernorth Health Services · Medicare Advantage · Sarah London
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] CFO Drew Asher said about $0.50 of Q2 earnings related to settlements of 2025 items that will not recur in 2027. (Centene earnings call)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Centene's premium and service revenue for the quarter was about $44.4 billion. (Centene earnings report)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Centene reported adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.51 for the second quarter of 2026. (Centene Q2 earnings call and reports)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] CEO Sarah London said the improved outlook reflected underlying business strengths and a more fully informed view of Marketplace risk‑adjustment positioning. (Centene earnings call)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Centene raised its full‑year 2026 adjusted earnings per share outlook to more than $4.80 per share. (Centene earnings guidance updates)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Centene's Medicaid enrollment fell to just over 12 million members, with total enrollment around 25.9 million, down from 28 million a year earlier. (Centene earnings presentation)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Centene's health benefits ratio improved to about 89.6% in the second quarter, down from 93% previously. (Centene financial filings)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Centene increased its 2026 Marketplace pre‑tax margin expectation to 4.5‑5% from about 3%. (Centene earnings call)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Adjusted earnings per share for Q2 2026 were $7.78, beating the $7.60 estimate. (Cigna earnings report)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Cigna raised its 2026 adjusted profit forecast by $0.10 to at least $30.45 per share. (Cigna earnings report)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Cigna's medical loss ratio for the quarter was 84.5%, up from 83.2% a year earlier. (Cigna earnings report)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Cigna has exited Medicare Advantage and is focusing on employer‑sponsored and pharmacy‑benefits businesses. (Cigna earnings report)