Ashton Thomas Securities LLC Buys 393 Shares of The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI)

Ashton Thomas Securities LLC grew its stake in The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) by 24.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,018 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 393 shares during the quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC’s holdings in The Cigna Group were worth $557,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. TCTC Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in The Cigna Group in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Collier Financial bought a new position in shares of The Cigna Group in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in The Cigna Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new stake in The Cigna Group during the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in The Cigna Group in the fourth quarter worth about $53,000. Institutional investors own 86.99% of the company’s stock.

The Cigna Group Stock Performance

CI stock opened at $316.64 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The Cigna Group has a 1 year low of $262.03 and a 1 year high of $370.83. The company has a market cap of $86.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.53. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $302.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $314.19.

The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The health services provider reported $6.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.84 by ($1.20). The Cigna Group had a return on equity of 18.61% and a net margin of 1.39%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $6.79 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that The Cigna Group will post 29.77 earnings per share for the current year.

The Cigna Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th were given a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 5th. This is an increase from The Cigna Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.91%. The Cigna Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.35%.

Insider Transactions at The Cigna Group

In other news, insider Nicole S. Jones sold 4,904 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $308.12, for a total value of $1,511,020.48. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 29,421 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,065,198.52. This trade represents a 14.29 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Elder Granger sold 2,376 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $310.35, for a total value of $737,391.60. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,471 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,697,924.85. This trade represents a 30.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 43,751 shares of company stock worth $13,603,991 in the last 90 days. 0.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James reiterated a “strong-buy” rating and set a $360.00 target price (down from $415.00) on shares of The Cigna Group in a report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com raised The Cigna Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Stephens cut their target price on The Cigna Group from $410.00 to $380.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Barclays lowered their price target on The Cigna Group from $420.00 to $339.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Oppenheimer cut their price objective on shares of The Cigna Group from $400.00 to $375.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $373.25.

About The Cigna Group

The Cigna Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and related products and services in the United States. Its Evernorth Health Services segment provides a range of coordinated and point solution health services, including pharmacy benefits, home delivery pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, distribution, and care delivery and management solutions to health plans, employers, government organizations, and health care providers.