Cigna up after raising 2025 profit forecast

Shares of health insurer Cigna CI.N rise 1.7% to $340.70 premarket

Co raises full-year earnings forecast and beats estimates for quarterly profit on strong performance in its pharmacy benefit management business and lower-than-expected medical costs in its insurance arm

Co forecasts 2025 adj. profit of at least $29.60 per share vs previous estimate of $29.50 and analysts' estimate of $29.61, as per data compiled by LSEG

Co reports Q1 adj. income from operations of $6.74, above estimates of $6.35

Co's Q1 medical care ratio - the percentage of premiums spent on medical care, came in at 82.2%, lower than analysts' estimates of 82.63%

"At first glance, Cigna rebounded from a challenging Q4 to post a strong Q1 beat. Although the guidance raise was modest relative to the beat, this could reflect some early-year conservatism"- brokerage Oppenheimer

Up to last close, stock was up 21.4% YTD