Elevance Health is projected to report Q3 2026 earnings on October 21, 2026, with consensus estimates showing a 22.7% year-over-year EPS decline to $4.66 per share and a 3% revenue decrease. The company faces challenges from declining premiums (-4.9%), reduced Commercial Individual and Medicaid membership, and a significant 23.9% plunge in Health Benefits operating income. Despite these headwinds, total expenses are expected to decline 5.5%, providing some offset.

CVS Health and Alignment Healthcare are competing in the fast-growing Medicare Advantage market, projected to expand at 10.1% CAGR through 2034. CVS is successfully turning around Aetna with over $2 billion in adjusted operating income gains in H1 2026, while Alignment Healthcare grew membership 31.5% but faces headwinds from higher medical needs among new members. CVS trades at a lower forward P/E (10.41 vs 25.43) with positive earnings revisions, while Alignment faces downward estimate revisions and a 50.8% stock decline over the past year.

The article explains how investors can use the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) filter to identify stocks likely to beat earnings expectations. The ESP compares the most accurate analyst estimates to consensus estimates, and when combined with a Zacks Rank #3 or better, stocks posted positive surprises 70% of the time with average annual returns of 28%. Two medical stocks highlighted as examples are Gilead Sciences (GILD) with a +2.18% ESP and CVS Health (CVS) with a +0.79% ESP, both holding Rank #3 (Hold) ratings.

CVS Health demonstrates attractive valuation and improving business performance, with Aetna's margin recovery gaining momentum and pharmacy segment showing strong prescription volume growth. However, 340B program pressures and expected Caremark membership declines pose near-term challenges. The stock trades at a discount to peers and has outperformed its industry, though technical indicators suggest weaker momentum.

CVS Health is highlighted as a potential growth investment opportunity with a #3 (Hold) Zacks Rank and an A-rated VGM Score. The company demonstrates strong growth prospects with forecasted year-over-year earnings growth of 18.8% for the current fiscal year and recent upward earnings estimate revisions, making it worthy of consideration for growth-focused investors despite its Hold rating.

CVS Health closed at $87.95, up 1.76% and outperforming the S&P 500's 0.22% loss. However, the stock has declined 10.03% over the past month, underperforming its Medical sector. The company is scheduled to report earnings on November 4, 2026, with forecasted EPS of $1.62 (up 1.25% YoY) and revenue of $105.04 billion (up 2.11% YoY). CVS currently holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) with a Forward P/E of 10.77, trading at a discount to its industry average.

CVS Health is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with mixed signals. While the stock has underperformed the S&P 500 by 11.4% over the past month, the company demonstrates strong fundamentals including consistent earnings and revenue beat history, solid revenue growth projections, and attractive valuation metrics with an A grade on the Value Style Score. However, recent earnings estimate revisions have been slightly negative, suggesting the stock may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

CVS Health demonstrates a strong track record of beating earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 27.13% over the last two quarters. The company currently has a positive Earnings ESP of +0.79% combined with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting another potential earnings beat is likely in its next quarterly report.

Zacks highlights two medical stocks with positive Earnings Surprise Prediction (ESP): CVS Health and Solventum. Both stocks have positive ESP figures and are expected to report earnings in early November 2026, suggesting potential for earnings beats based on recent analyst revisions.

Danaher Corporation's Biotechnology segment drove growth with 4% reported sales increase to $1.92 billion in Q2 2026, bolstered by strong China demand and consumables sales. Despite regional headwinds in Western Europe and North America, DHR expects mid-single-digit core growth in 2026. The stock trades at a premium valuation of 24.92X forward P/E versus the industry average of 16.59X and carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

CVS Health stock declined 1.4% to $87.60, underperforming the broader market which gained 1.49%. The stock has fallen 4.49% over the past month. The company is expected to report flat EPS of $1.6 for the upcoming quarter with revenue projected at $105.04 billion (up 2.11% YoY). CVS holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating and trades at a Forward P/E of 11.07, below its industry average of 17.31.

BrightSpring Health Services' Home and Community Pharmacy segment experienced an 8% revenue decline to $540M in Q2, with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) accounting for approximately $50M of the impact. Despite a projected $200M revenue headwind in 2026 from IRA pricing changes, the company expects only a $15M EBITDA impact, demonstrating that operational efficiency gains from technology, automation, AI, and Lean initiatives are offsetting regulatory pressures. Peer companies Cardinal Health and CVS Health are similarly navigating IRA-driven revenue pressures while maintaining profitability through service agreements and operational improvements.