Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV) Stock Price Up 6.3% on Strong Earnings

Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV)’s share price was up 6.3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $343.86 and last traded at $343.3750. Approximately 1,829,465 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 17% from the average daily volume of 1,561,448 shares. The stock had previously closed at $322.92.

The company reported $3.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.10 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $49.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $49.52 billion. Elevance Health had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 15.59%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.84 earnings per share. Elevance Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 25.500- EPS.

Elevance Health Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 10th will be paid a $1.72 dividend. This is an increase from Elevance Health’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.71. This represents a $6.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 10th. Elevance Health’s dividend payout ratio is 27.96%.

Key Headlines Impacting Elevance Health

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat estimates: ELV reported $3.33 EPS vs. $3.10 consensus and revenue growth year-over-year, helped by higher premiums and strong Carelon revenues—an outcome investors often reward. Elevance Health Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates on Increasing Premiums
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend bump: the company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.72 (annualized yield ~2.0%), a small cash-return signal that can support the share price.
• Positive Sentiment: Brokerage sentiment remains constructive: ELV retains an average “Moderate Buy” recommendation from brokers, which can underpin demand as investors digest guidance. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages
• Neutral Sentiment: Full Q4 materials and call transcript are available for investors wanting detail on membership, margins and Carelon performance; these provide context but don’t change the headline story. Elevance Q4 Slide Deck / Press Release
• Negative Sentiment: 2026 EPS guide misses Street: management set FY2026 EPS ~25.50, below the ~26.89 consensus, citing elevated medical costs—this is the primary driver of selling pressure and re-rating risk. Elevance forecasts 2026 profit below estimates on elevated medical costs (Reuters)
• Negative Sentiment: Margin and membership pressures: analysts flag medical membership declines, rising medical expenses and margin pressure that shape a weaker revenue/outlook profile for 2026. ELV Q4 Deep Dive: Margin Pressures and Membership Shifts Shape 2026 Outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Medicare Advantage headwinds: the CMS proposed a very small 2027 MA rate increase (0.09%), a regulatory signal that intensified recent volatility and limited upside. Health Insurance Stock Could Rebound Off Historically Bullish Signal

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Zacks Research upgraded Elevance Health from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Elevance Health from $330.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Elevance Health from $385.00 to $404.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Wolfe Research set a $425.00 price target on shares of Elevance Health and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Elevance Health in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $343.00 price objective for the company. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $398.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Elevance Health

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its stake in shares of Elevance Health by 0.6% during the second quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 48,049 shares of the company’s stock valued at $18,689,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares in the last quarter. Trivium Point Advisory LLC raised its holdings in Elevance Health by 12.9% in the 2nd quarter. Trivium Point Advisory LLC now owns 629 shares of the company’s stock valued at $245,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. PFG Investments LLC boosted its position in Elevance Health by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 1,408 shares of the company’s stock worth $548,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. Impact Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Elevance Health by 8.9% during the 2nd quarter. Impact Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,048 shares of the company’s stock worth $408,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Elevance Health by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,559 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,773,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.24% of the company’s stock.

Elevance Health Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $76.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.51. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $351.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $328.99. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70.

About Elevance Health

Elevance Health, Inc (NYSE: ELV) is a large U.S.-based health benefits company that provides a broad range of health insurance products and related services. Headquartered in Indianapolis, the company rebranded from Anthem, Inc to Elevance Health in 2022 while continuing to operate consumer-facing health plans under established state and national brands. Gail Boudreaux serves as chief executive officer and president, leading the company’s strategic focus on integrated health care and benefit delivery.

Elevance’s core activities include offering medical and specialty health plans for individuals, employers and government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid managed-care products.