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Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) has announced that it will not pursue a merger with Humana (NYSE: HUM), a decision that has impacted the stock prices of both companies.

The announcement came shortly after Donald Trump’s re-election as the U.S. president, a political development that had previously fueled speculation about the merger’s potential to pass antitrust scrutiny. The decision to halt merger talks was described as “unusual” by industry analysts, suggesting strategic motives behind Cigna’s move to alleviate pressure on its stock.

Cigna to Not Pursue Humana Merger

In the wake of the announcement, Cigna’s stock saw a significant increase, rising nearly 8% in premarket trading today. This surge reflects investor confidence in Cigna’s strategic direction and its commitment to maintaining established merger and acquisition criteria. On the other hand, Humana’s shares fell more than 5% before the bell, indicating investor disappointment and uncertainty about Humana’s future prospects without the merger.

Cigna has reiterated its focus on strategic alignment, financial attractiveness, and a high probability of closure in its merger and acquisition activities. The company is currently in the process of selling its Medicare Advantage business and plans to repurchase shares in the fourth quarter and in 2025. These moves are part of Cigna’s broader strategy to enhance shareholder value and streamline its operations.

CI Stock Brief

Analyzing Cigna’s recent stock performance, the company’s shares opened at $342.52 on November 11, 2024, showing a substantial increase from the previous close of $319.77 on November 8, 2024. The stock reached a day high of $347.62 and a day low of $339.81, reflecting a volatile trading session. Over the past year, Cigna’s stock has fluctuated between a low of $253.95 and a high of $370.83, indicating a robust performance within the healthcare sector.

At the time of writing (11:08 AM EST), Cigna was trading at $343.50 (up 7.42%) and Humana was trading at $275.61 (down 4.36%).

Cigna’s financial metrics highlight its strong market position. With a market capitalization of $95.64 billion, a dividend yield of 1.75%, and a forward P/E ratio of 10.89, the company is well-positioned for future growth.

Analysts have given Cigna a “buy” recommendation, with a target mean price of $396.35, suggesting potential for further stock price appreciation.

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