Hamlin Capital Management LLC Purchases New Stake in CVS Health Corporation $CVS

Hamlin Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 2,026,761 shares of the pharmacy operator’s stock, valued at approximately $160,844,000. CVS Health accounts for 3.9% of Hamlin Capital Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of CVS Health during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,358,698,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in CVS Health by 391.6% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,330,717 shares of the pharmacy operator’s stock valued at $477,273,000 after acquiring an additional 5,042,816 shares during the last quarter. Amundi raised its position in CVS Health by 95.3% during the third quarter. Amundi now owns 7,453,980 shares of the pharmacy operator’s stock valued at $572,665,000 after purchasing an additional 3,637,943 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in CVS Health by 15.3% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 23,532,479 shares of the pharmacy operator’s stock worth $1,623,270,000 after purchasing an additional 3,118,626 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in shares of CVS Health by 24.5% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 11,469,250 shares of the pharmacy operator’s stock valued at $864,667,000 after purchasing an additional 2,253,531 shares in the last quarter. 80.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on CVS. UBS Group reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of CVS Health in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of CVS Health in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on CVS Health from $89.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Truist Financial set a $100.00 target price on shares of CVS Health in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of CVS Health from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Twenty equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, CVS Health presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $95.05.

CVS Health Trading Down 0.4%

NYSE CVS opened at $71.58 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $91.07 billion, a PE ratio of 51.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.49. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $77.48 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $77.81. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. CVS Health Corporation has a 12 month low of $58.35 and a 12 month high of $85.15.

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The pharmacy operator reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.09. CVS Health had a return on equity of 11.31% and a net margin of 0.44%.The company had revenue of $105.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $103.67 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.19 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. CVS Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.940-6.140 EPS. On average, analysts expect that CVS Health Corporation will post 5.89 EPS for the current year.

CVS Health Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 23rd will be paid a $0.665 dividend. This represents a $2.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 23rd. CVS Health’s dividend payout ratio is currently 192.75%.

CVS Health News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting CVS Health this week:

• Positive Sentiment: CVS’s board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.665/share (payable May 4; record April 23), a cash-return signal that can support the share price. CVS Health declares quarterly dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Brokerages’ consensus rating sits at “Moderate Buy,” providing analyst support amid volatility. CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages
• Positive Sentiment: CVS announced a $2.24M investment to expand health access in west Charlotte — a community-health initiative that highlights growth of care-delivery and outreach programs. CVS Health invests $2.24 million in west Charlotte health initiative
• Neutral Sentiment: Media roundup and dividend-focused pieces are covering CVS alongside other dividend payers — keeps the name in income-focused investor conversations but is unlikely to move shares materially. Dividend roundup: JPMorgan Chase, Micron Technology, CVS Health, Broadcom, and more
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage calling CVS a “trending” stock and roundups on healthcare stock picks keep investor attention but are mixed in tone — watch for conviction from earnings/forward guidance. CVS Health Corporation (CVS) Is a Trending Stock: Facts to Know Before Betting on It
• Neutral Sentiment: Company exec discussed AI policy and quality initiatives — signals operational focus but not an immediate catalyst. CVS Health/Aetna executive discusses company AI policy and the harder truth about quality
• Negative Sentiment: Bernstein Litowitz filed a racketeering class action against CaremarkPCS and CVS alleging fraud of PBM customers — this is a material legal overhang that could prompt costs, fines or settlements. Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann Announces Filing of Racketeering Class Action Against CaremarkPCS and CVS Health Corporation
• Negative Sentiment: Tennessee legislation targeting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) could force store closures — state estimates say 100+ CVS locations might be affected, raising local revenue and access risks. TN bill targeting pharmacy benefit managers could threaten closure of 100+ CVS stores in the state
• Negative Sentiment: Lawmakers and a U.S. Representative (Aftyn Behn) are calling for investigations and have heard conflicting testimony about CVS claims that pharmacies will close — increased regulatory scrutiny and political risk. Rep. Aftyn Behn calls for an investigation into CVS claims that pharmacies are closing
• Negative Sentiment: Local reporting and commentary examine whether lawmakers can curb CVS/PBM influence on drug pricing — signals broader regulatory attention on CVS’s PBM business. Could lawmakers crack CVS’s grip on the prescription drug supply chain?

About CVS Health

CVS Health Corporation is a diversified healthcare company that operates a large network of retail pharmacies, pharmacy benefit management services and health care solutions. Headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the company traces its roots to the early 1960s and has grown into an integrated provider of prescription drugs, over‑the‑counter products, clinical services and health insurance offerings. Its operating model combines retail pharmacy locations and in‑store clinics with broader pharmacy and health plan capabilities.

Key business activities include CVS Pharmacy retail operations, MinuteClinic walk‑in medical clinics and HealthHUB locations that offer expanded clinical services.