CVS Health Hikes Its Outlook, and Says It Plans to Roll Out AI Platform

CVS Health just raised its financial forecast. The company's also betting big on artificial intelligence.

AI Gets a Prescription

The healthcare giant announced plans to deploy a proprietary AI platform across its operations. It's a move that aims to streamline everything from pharmacy workflows to customer service interactions. Think less paperwork, more predictive analytics.

The Numbers Don't Lie

The revised outlook signals confidence. While specific figures are guarded, the upward adjustment itself is the story—a public nod to stronger-than-expected performance. It's the corporate equivalent of a doctor giving you a clean bill of health.

Efficiency as the New Bottom Line

This isn't about flashy tech for tech's sake. The AI push targets core business efficiencies: cutting administrative bloat, bypassing legacy system bottlenecks, and personalizing patient outreach. The goal is to make the healthcare experience less of a headache for everyone involved, including the accountants.

CVS is making a calculated bet that algorithms can cure operational ailments. In a sector often criticized for its inefficiency, it's a potent remedy—and a savvy way to keep Wall Street's appetite for growth satisfied. After all, nothing makes investors happier than a company that can do more with less, except maybe a company that promises it will.

Key Takeaways

• CVS Health shares climbed Tuesday after the health conglomerate raised its full-year outlook.
• The company also announced plans for a platform with AI features as part of its engagement strategy.
  

CVS wants investors to know it sees bigger profits ahead, and has new AI plans.

Shares of CVS Health (CVS) climbed about 2% Tuesday after the health conglomerate lifted its full-year forecast and outlined an AI strategy to drive higher engagement.

The parent of CVS Pharmacy, benefits manager CVS Caremark, and Aetna insurance said it now sees full-year adjusted earnings per share of $6.60 to $6.70, up from an earlier forecast of $6.55 to $6.65. It anticipates revenue of at least $400 billion compared to the previous outlook of at least $397.3 billion. For fiscal year 2026, CVS projected adjusted EPS of $5.94 to $6.14 on revenue of at least $400 billion.

The company pointed to strong earnings growth at Aetna and new customers of its pharmacy-benefits business for the stronger outlook, among other things.

“We are closing out 2025 with meaningful momentum across our businesses and we expect another year of strong earnings growth in 2026,” said CFO Brian Newman.

Why This Matters for Investors

The stronger outlook from CVS could help boost confidence in the chain's turnaround efforts under new CEO David Joyner, who assumed the job in October after a tough stretch marked by worries about rising medical costs, reduced foot traffic in stores, and competition.

During its investor day event Tuesday, CVS also outlined a new engagement plan, which includes building a platform with AI capabilities. The MOVE will “bring together the various components of health care into one easy to use platform, anchored in a singular app,” CVS said.

With Tuesday's gains, shares of CVS Health have added about three-quarters of their value this year, though they remain well off their highs in 2022.

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