Leerink analyst Ana Gupte raised her price target on Outperform-rated Cigna (CI) to $250 from $235 following meetings with a panel of PBM and Specialty Rx specialists, which increased her bullishness on Cigna and Market Perform-rated Express Scripts (ESRX). In a research note to investors, Gupte says she also came away with raised confidence on the achiveability of the $4B annual drug cost savings from the Express Scripts switch by Anthem (ANTM) to IngenioRx in partnership with CVS (CVS). She adds that smaller independent PBMs still have niche opportunities with smaller regional third-party health plans, noting that Magellan Health (MGLN) is well positioned in this market, though loss of substantial business in Florida Seriously Mentally Ill is a headwind in Rx as well.

Credit Suisse analyst A.J. Rice raised his price target for Aetna (AET) to $207 from $202, while reiterating a Neutral rating on the shares. The analyst noted that the DOJ preliminary approved CVS' (CVS) acquisition of Aetna after the latter reached an agreement to sell its Medicare Part D drug plan business to WellCare Health Plans. Connecticut approved the CVS-AET deal October 17, and New York is expected to reach a decision after October 25, Rice adds. At this point, the analyst feels deal approval has a high probability of occurring, albeit the timing could be slightly later than CVS' outlook of early Q4 closing. Overall, Rice is putting a 90%-95% probability on the deal closure.