Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) found itself under scrutiny on December 19, 2025, as Deutsche Bank analyst George Hill downgraded the stock to a ‘Hold’ rating. The firm adjusted its price target to $332, which closely aligns with the stock’s recent trading level of $340.69. For investors, this rating suggests a cautious approach amidst mildly declining market dynamics.
Recent Price Action
In the past week, Elevance Health’s stock has shown some fluctuations, indicative of investor sentiment toward the healthcare sector and the company itself. Closing at $340.69, the stock has faced challenges as its share price slipped by $3.91, marking a decline of approximately 1.13%. With a market capitalization of approximately $75.7 billion, it has witnessed significant trading activity, with a volume of over 1.6 million shares exchanged, slightly below its average trading volume of 1.72 million. Meanwhile, Elevance has a beta of 0.525, reflecting its relatively low volatility compared to broader market movements. The stock’s 52-week range adds context to its recent performance, flanked by a high of $366.43 and a low of $24.47, highlighting its unpredictable journey in the past year.
Short- and Long-Term Performance
Examining Elevance Health’s performance more closely reveals a mixed picture for investors. Over the past 30 days, the stock has gained approximately 4.98%, indicating some level of investor optimism in the short term. Extending that view to a quarterly timeframe, the stock maintains a respectable 8.6% increase. However, the long-term outlook is less favorable, as the stock has declined by around 10.68% over the past year. Additionally, the weekly volatility stands at 2.53%, while monthly volatility has averaged 2.79%, further emphasizing the stock’s price fluctuations in response to market conditions.
Earnings Analysis
Elevance Health recently reported its earnings with a current earnings per share (EPS) of $6.03, significantly exceeding analysts’ expectations of $4.93, which represents a surprise factor of over 22%. This strong performance contrasts sharply with the previous quarter, where the company reported an EPS of $8.84, just short of the $8.91 estimate—highlighting a pattern of mixed earnings surprises for the company. The substantial EPS surprise in the latest quarter indicates a positive momentum regarding Elevance’s operational efficiency and profitability, an encouraging sign for astute investors.
Analyst / Consensus View
Looking at the broader consensus, Elevance Health currently has a total of 15 ratings from analysts, with 10 classified as ‘Buy’, 5 as ‘Hold’, and notably, none as ‘Sell’. The average price target sits at approximately $383.33, with a low target matching the new mark set by Deutsche Bank at $332, and a potential high of $420. This consensus suggests a generally optimistic outlook from analysts, even as the recent downgrade to a ‘Hold’ rating reflects a more cautious short-term perspective amid prevailing market conditions.
Stock Grading or Fundamental View
Elevance Health has received a Stocks Telegraph Grade of 56, which summarizes its investment profile based on underlying financial health and market analysis. This score indicates that the company maintains reasonable fundamentals and potential for investor growth, albeit with notable caution due to recent price movements and external market pressures.
Conclusion
Investors considering Elevance Health Inc. should approach the stock with a nuanced understanding. The recent earnings performance indicates robust financial health, making it an appealing option for those interested in long-term growth prospects. However, the downgrade to a ‘Hold’ rating and the company’s past 12-month decline suggest a measured approach may be prudent, especially for risk-averse investors. As Elevance continues to navigate market fluctuations, it remains an intriguing option worth monitoring, particularly for those willing to adopt a long-term view in the healthcare space.