business
Elevance Health Raises 2026 Earnings Outlook but Shares Fall 9% After Results
Elevance Health reported second-quarter net income of $1.45 billion and raised its full-year earnings guidance. The health insurer also increased its adjusted EPS target despite a year-over-year decline in profit.
Jul 15, 7:05 AM·1m read3 sources
ForbesAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Elevance Health reported second-quarter 2026 net income of $1.45 billion on July 15, 2026. The company raised its full-year earnings outlook to at least $20.10 per share from a prior forecast of at least $19.85 per share. Forbes reported that net income reached $1.46 billion, or $6.71 per share, down 16.6 percent from $1.74 billion, or $7.72 per share, in the same quarter a year earlier.
Total revenue grew 1.4 percent to $50.47 billion, while operating revenue increased $0.4 billion to $49.8 billion. The benefit expense ratio rose to 89.7 percent, an increase of 80 basis points year over year. Elevance ended the quarter with 44.9 million health plan members, down 1.5 percent from 45.6 million in the prior-year period.
The company also raised its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to at least $27.00 from a previous target of at least $26.75. Chief Executive Gail K. Boudreaux stated that second-quarter results exceeded expectations and supported the decision to raise guidance.
She said the company is accelerating investments in medical cost management, member experience, provider connectivity, operating efficiency, and Carelon’s value-based solutions. Boudreaux added that the actions aim to return to at least 12 percent adjusted EPS growth in 2027.
Forbes reported that Elevance operates Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in 14 states and manages Medicaid contracts with multiple states.
Reuters and Bloomberg reported that shares fell about 9 percent in premarket trading after the results, even as the adjusted profit forecast exceeded analyst estimates.
