Elevance Health jumps as Q1 beats expectations and management lifts 2026 outlook
Elevance Health shares are higher after the company posted Q1 2026 results ahead of expectations and raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to at least $26.75. The update also reaffirmed operating cash-flow guidance of at least $5.5 billion and highlighted $1.5 billion returned to shareholders in Q1.
1. What’s moving the stock
Elevance Health (ELV) is moving higher as investors react to the company’s first-quarter 2026 earnings update and higher full-year outlook. Elevance reported Q1 operating revenue of $49.5 billion and adjusted diluted EPS of $12.58, then raised its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance to at least $26.75. (elevancehealth.com)
2. Guidance lift and what it signals
The company said the higher outlook is supported by underlying business strength, actions to reduce medical costs, and increased visibility. Elevance also guided to FY 2026 diluted EPS of at least $19.85, which it said includes its estimate of the financial impact related to the CMS matter, while reaffirming operating cash flow of at least $5.5 billion (inclusive of potential cash payments tied to that matter). (elevancehealth.com)
3. Capital returns add support
Elevance said it returned $1.5 billion of capital to shareholders in Q1 2026. In the earnings release, the company also declared a second-quarter 2026 dividend of $1.72 per share, payable June 25, 2026 to shareholders of record as of June 10, 2026. (elevancehealth.com)