The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) came out with its first-quarter results last week, and we wanted to see how the business is performing and what industry forecasters think of the company following this report. Results overall were respectable, with statutory earnings of US$6.26 per share roughly in line with what the analysts had forecast. Revenues of US$68b came in 3.5% ahead of analyst predictions. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. With this in mind, we've gathered the latest statutory forecasts to see what the analysts are expecting for next year.

Following last week's earnings report, Cigna Group's 17 analysts are forecasting 2026 revenues to be US$283.1b, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Per-share earnings are expected to increase 7.1% to US$25.47. Before this earnings report, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of US$281.8b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$24.18 in 2026. So the consensus seems to have become somewhat more optimistic on Cigna Group's earnings potential following these results.

The consensus price target was unchanged at US$340, implying that the improved earnings outlook is not expected to have a long term impact on value creation for shareholders. It could also be instructive to look at the range of analyst estimates, to evaluate how different the outlier opinions are from the mean. The most optimistic Cigna Group analyst has a price target of US$378 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at US$290. The narrow spread of estimates could suggest that the business' future is relatively easy to value, or thatthe analysts have a strong view on its prospects.

Looking at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can make sense of these forecasts is to see how they measure up against both past performance and industry growth estimates. It's pretty clear that there is an expectation that Cigna Group's revenue growth will slow down substantially, with revenues to the end of 2026 expected to display 2.5% growth on an annualised basis. This is compared to a historical growth rate of 12% over the past five years. By way of comparison, the other companies in this industry with analyst coverage are forecast to grow their revenue at 4.8% per year. Factoring in the forecast slowdown in growth, it seems obvious that Cigna Group is also expected to grow slower than other industry participants.

The Bottom Line

The biggest takeaway for us is the consensus earnings per share upgrade, which suggests a clear improvement in sentiment around Cigna Group's earnings potential next year. Fortunately, the analysts also reconfirmed their revenue estimates, suggesting that it's tracking in line with expectations. Although our data does suggest that Cigna Group's revenue is expected to perform worse than the wider industry. The consensus price target held steady at US$340, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets.

Keeping that in mind, we still think that the longer term trajectory of the business is much more important for investors to consider. We have forecasts for Cigna Group going out to 2028, and you can see them free on our platform here.

You should always think about risks though.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.