Elevance Health

ELV · NYSE

$440.18+$9.95 (+2.31%)TodayMarket closed · Oct 20, 4:05 PM ET

Prev close $430.23

ELV analyst rating

BuyConsensus of 19 analysts over the last 12 months. 74% rate it a buy.

Strong buy0
Buy14
Hold5
Underperform0
Sell0

12-month price target · 25 analysts

Average $457.94 (+4.0% upside)

Low: $396.93
Now: $440.18
High: $516.60

Upgrades and downgrades

The latest rating actions, newest first

ELV analyst upgrades, downgrades and rating actions
Firm	Date	Action	Rating	Price target	Hit rate
Guggenheim	Oct 12, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$455.00 → $460.00	66%
Barclays	Oct 7, 2026	Maintains	Overweight	$457.00 → $469.00	59%
Bernstein	Jul 17, 2026	Maintains	Outperform	$482.00 → $488.00	77%
Leerink Partners	Jul 17, 2026	Maintains	Market Perform	$364.00 → $395.00	55%
RBC Capital	Jul 16, 2026	Maintains	Sector Perform	$439.00 → $424.00	57%
Wells Fargo	Jul 16, 2026	Maintains	Overweight	$492.00 → $473.00	59%
Guggenheim	Jul 16, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$399.00 → $455.00	66%
Barclays	Jul 16, 2026	Maintains	Overweight	$480.00 → $457.00	59%
Baird	Jul 16, 2026	Maintains	Neutral	$331.00 → $393.00	34%
TD Cowen	Jul 14, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$400.00 → $465.00	67%

The case for and against

Updated Oct 21, 2026

Bull case

Elevance Health is well positioned by its scale as a leading U.S. health insurer, serving 45 million medical members at the end of 2025, with a diversified mix across employer, individual, and government-sponsored plans and a uniquely strong Blue Cross Blue Shield footprint in 14 states. Recent management commentary points to better-than-expected development in Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and Individual ACA exiting 2Q26, supporting a rebound in adjusted EPS and reinforcing the view that 2026 is becoming a more de-risked earnings year despite Medicaid remaining the key overhang. With disciplined pricing, targeted cost initiatives, and scaling businesses such as Carelon and pharmacy benefits, the company appears positioned to drive margin recovery and sustain at least 12% adjusted EPS growth in 2027+.

Bear case

Elevance Health is facing a weaker fundamental setup because Medicaid redeterminations, the possible expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits, and 2027 Medicaid work requirements could all deteriorate risk pools and make pricing less accurate across government and individual markets. Management has also lowered target operating margins following a rebasing year in 2026, while Carelon’s near-term growth may be constrained by lower health plan membership and limited uptake, increasing the risk of margin pressure. Although EPS is still modeled at $27.02 in FY26 and $29.12 in 2027, the lowered 2028 estimate of $32.59 and the risks around Medicaid acuity, adverse selection in MA, and commercial unemployment stress support a negative outlook.

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