The Cigna $CI Group raised its full-year adjusted profit forecast on Thursday after second-quarter results came in ahead of expectations, driven by growth in specialty drug sales and its employer health insurance business.
The health company now expects full-year adjusted earnings of at least $30.45 per share, up 10 cents from its prior outlook
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The Cigna $CI Group raised its full-year adjusted profit forecast on Thursday after second-quarter results came in ahead of expectations, driven by growth in specialty drug sales and its employer health insurance business.
The company now expects 2026 adjusted income from operations of at least $30.45 per share, up 10 cents from its previous outlook. Analysts had estimated full-year earnings of $30.41 per share, according to Reuters.
Cigna posted second-quarter adjusted earnings of $7.78 per share, compared with $7.20 per share in the same period a year earlier. Analysts had expected $7.60 per share, according to Reuters. Total revenue for the quarter rose 7% to $71.7 billion.
Evernorth Health Services, Cigna's segment encompassing pharmacy benefit management and specialty pharmacy, generated adjusted revenue of $61.5 billion in the quarter, a 6% gain over the prior-year period. Within that segment, the Specialty and Care Services unit saw adjusted pre-tax income rise 22%, driven by growth in specialty drug volume — including higher adoption of generic and biosimilar alternatives — and operating efficiencies, the company said. Specialty drugs are used to manage serious illnesses including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Cigna's health insurance arm, Cigna Healthcare, posted a 17% increase in adjusted pre-tax income for the quarter, which the company attributed to an improved margin in its U.S. employer business. The segment's medical care ratio — the share of premiums spent on patient care — was 84.5% for the quarter, compared with 83.2% in the second quarter of 2025. The company said the prior-year figure had been lifted by higher risk-adjustment payments tied to its individual and family plans business.
Cigna has been pulling back from government-backed insurance markets. It exited Medicare Advantage last year and announced it will stop offering plans under the Affordable Care Act at the end of 2026. In their place, Cigna has leaned into its commercial employer coverage and pharmacy services operations.
Total medical customers reached 18.4 million at the end of June, up 2% from December 31, 2025, reflecting growth in middle-market and select-market clients, the company said. Total pharmacy customers fell 4% over the same period to 118.2 million, reflecting expected client transitions.
Year to date through July 29, Cigna repurchased 0.9 million shares of common stock for approximately $250 million, the company said. Chief Executive Officer Brian C. Evanko said in a statement that the results reflect progress in using technology and data to improve health care access and lower costs.
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