Piper Jaffray analyst Sarah James likes the set-up for Cigna (CI) in 2019. The company has built 25c-50c of conservatism into its earnings guidance and has potential for a "strong" 2020 driven by better cost trend control, its specialty business, and working down the $200M stranded overhead cost from Anthem's departure, James tells investors in a research note. Further, the analyst does not have the pharmacy benefits manager volume coming back in-house from UnitedHealth (UNH) in her numbers yet, which she sees as "likely upside to 2021." The analyst also believes Cigna "screens as cheap" at 10.6 times expected 2020 earnings. James reiterates an Overweight rating on the shares with a $227 price target.

Notable gainers among liquid option names this morning include Genuine Parts (GPC) $159.09 +15.03, Globe Life (GL) $66.97 +3.74, Anthem (ELV) $532.10 +23.13, United Continental (UAL) $50.59 +1.84, and UnitedHealth (UNH) $494.80 +15.81.

Unusual total active option classes on open include: Wrap Technologies (WRAP), AstraZeneca (AZN), JetBlue (JBLU), United Continental (UAL), Taiwan Semi (TSM), Nokia (NOK), EBay (EBAY), Maplebear Inc (CART), Airbnb (ABNB), and UnitedHealth (UNH).

RBC Capital analyst Ben Hendrix lowered the firm's price target on UnitedHealth to $555 from $596 but keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The company reported a "better than feared" Q1, but the debate over utilization trends is expected to persist through the first half as excess reserves skew the medical care ratio picture, the analyst tells investors in a research note. RBC also notes that its added caution reflects UnitedHealth's "reduced claims visibility".

Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.  1... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here

Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists. 1... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here

Notable gainers among liquid option names this morning include UnitedHealth (UNH) $475.73 +30.10, Super Micro (SMCI) $914.90 +32.15, Humana (HUM) $324.54 +9.90, Morgan Stanley (MS) $89.42 +2.43, and Cencora Inc (COR) $238.39 +4.18.

UnitedHealth is up 6.1%, or $27.39 to $473.02.

Check out this morning's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly. HIGHER - Macatawa... To see the rest of the story go to thefly.com. See Story Here