Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) Up 5.4% — Do I Chase the Rally?
Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) staged a strong advance in the latest session, with shares surging 5.44% to $359.59. The stock gained $18.55 from the prior close of $341.04, marking a notable single-day move that stands out within the large-cap health care space. This kind of bullish activity signals that buyers were firmly in control throughout the session, pushing ELV decisively higher on the NYSE. Trading volume reached 1,607,771 shares, coming in modestly below the 90-day average of 1,858,171, indicating that the price strength emerged without an extreme spike in trading activity.
Even after today’s strong performance, ELV remains below its 52-week peak of $458.75 set on April 8, 2025, leaving meaningful room before retesting that high. The stock is gaining ground after that pullback, and the latest move helps reinforce a constructive tone for investors tracking its recovery from earlier levels. Within the broader health care cohort that includes names like Eli Lilly and Company, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie Inc., UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, and Merck & Co., Inc., ELV’s 5.44% rise stands out as particularly robust short-term momentum. For investors monitoring near-term price action, the combination of a solid percentage gain, substantial dollar increase, and manageable volume suggests an advancing trend that has yet to stretch back to its prior 52-week high.
Why Elevance Health, Inc. Price is Moving Higher
Elevance Health, Inc. is attracting positive attention as fresh analyst calls and solid fundamentals come together to support the recent move higher. The most visible catalyst is TD Cowen’s decision on Nov. 26, 2025, to lift its price target to $400 from $380, reiterate a Buy rating and name ELV its “Best Idea for 2026.” That designation reflects growing confidence in Elevance’s earnings power, underpinned by a positive EPS outlook into next year. Even Mizuho’s earlier trim of its target to $400 on Nov. 4 came with an Outperform rating, signaling that, despite some operational challenges at Carelon, the broader investment community still sees meaningful upside from current levels. With the stock trading at an implied upside of roughly 19% to the median analyst target near $394, investors are responding to a clear, consensus view that Elevance’s risk/reward profile is improving.
The Q3 2025 earnings report on Dec. 9 reinforced that optimism by confirming growth trends and aligning with EPS consensus. Double‑digit revenue growth of 12.33% demonstrates that Elevance is expanding its top line at a healthy pace for a mature health care company, which supports the bullish narrative around future profitability. EPS of $24.46 underscores the company’s ability to translate that growth into meaningful earnings, even with a modest profit margin of 2.84% typical for large-scale health services providers. Against a backdrop of strong, high‑profile peers such as Eli Lilly (LLY), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), AbbVie (ABBV), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), and Merck (MRK), Elevance’s combination of steady growth, supportive analyst sentiment and visible earnings trajectory is helping drive investor enthusiasm and keep momentum building in the shares.
What is the Elevance Health, Inc. Rating - Should I Buy?
Weiss Ratings assigns ELV a C rating. Current recommendation is Hold. In practical terms, this places Elevance Health, Inc. in the middle of the pack on a risk-adjusted basis — neither a standout opportunity nor a name to avoid outright. For investors, a C (Hold) rating generally indicates a stock that can be owned selectively, with expectations aligned to average performance rather than outsized gains.
Several quality markers support this balanced view. Elevance posts a solid return on equity of 12.57%, reinforced by a Good Efficiency Index, indicating that management is generating reasonable returns on shareholder capital. Its Excellent Solvency Index is another clear strength, signaling a strong balance sheet and financial stability that can be important in the Health Care sector’s often cyclical and policy-sensitive environment. A forward P/E of 13.94 also positions ELV at a valuation that is neither stretched nor distressed.
At the same time, some limitations temper the overall outlook. The Weak Growth Index, despite 12.33% revenue growth, indicates that profitability and cash-flow trends are not keeping pace, as seen in the modest 2.84% profit margin. The Weak Total Return Index and Weak Volatility Index show that, so far, shareholders have not been consistently rewarded for the risks involved. The Fair Dividend Index further supports the idea of ELV as a more neutral, rather than income-driven, holding.
Within Health Care, Elevance stands alongside other C-rated names such as AbbVie Inc. (ABBV, C), UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH, C), and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK, C), but trails higher-rated peers like Eli Lilly and Company (LLY, B) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, B). Overall, ELV’s C (Hold) rating makes it a consideration for investors seeking stability and selective exposure, rather than aggressive growth or top-tier quality.
About Elevance Health, Inc.
Elevance Health, Inc. is a major U.S. health benefits company that operates at scale across the Health Care Equipment and Services industry. Through a portfolio of affiliated health plans and service brands, the company delivers medical, pharmacy, behavioral health, dental, vision, and specialty benefits to a broad range of members, including individuals, employers, government programs, and specialty populations. Elevance Health is best known for its Blue Cross and Blue Shield‑branded plans in numerous states, giving it a strong local presence combined with national reach. This integrated model positions the company as a key player in managed care and coordinated health services.
Beyond traditional health insurance, Elevance Health has been expanding its capabilities in value-based care, care management, and health technology solutions. The company provides tools and programs designed to improve care coordination, enhance member engagement, and support clinicians with data-driven insights at the point of care. Its service offerings extend into pharmacy benefit management, population health management, and digital health platforms that aim to streamline the health care experience for members and providers alike. With its scale, established brand relationships, and focus on integration across medical and pharmacy benefits, Elevance Health holds a competitive position in the health care ecosystem, serving as a key intermediary between employers, government sponsors, providers, and patients.
Investor Outlook
With a C (Hold) Weiss Rating, Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) appears positioned for steady performance while investors watch for operational execution and developments across managed care and broader Health Care trends. The current Hold stance suggests potential for continued gains if the company can improve risk-adjusted returns and strengthen its overall profile relative to peers. See full rankings of all C-rated Health Care stocks inside the Weiss Stock Screener.
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