Scott Becker - 4 Largest Publicly Traded Payers & Their YTD Stock Market Returns 9-11-25 - Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Summary2 min read

Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Summary
Episode: Scott Becker - 4 Largest Publicly Traded Payers & Their YTD Stock Market Returns 9-11-25
Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Scott Becker

Episode Overview

In this brief financial recap, Scott Becker summarizes the year-to-date (YTD) stock market returns of the four largest publicly traded U.S. healthcare payers, with additional context on two major Medicaid-focused payers. The episode offers listeners a snapshot of current market performance, highlighting striking contrasts and key trends affecting these industry giants.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Largest Publicly Traded Payers: YTD Stock Returns

UnitedHealth Group:
- Down 36% YTD
- Noted as a significant decline for this industry leader
- (00:09) "UnitedHealth Group is down 36% year to date."
CVS (CVS Aetna):
- Up 56% YTD
- Experienced a dramatic rebound
- (00:15) "CVS, which is CVS Aetna, is up 56% year to date. Quite the rebound this year."
Cigna Healthcare:
- Up 9% YTD
- Stable, moderate growth
- (00:20) "Cigna Healthcare is up 9% year to date."
Elevance Health (formerly Anthem Blue Cross):
- Down 16% YTD
- Continues to face challenges in 2025
- (00:24) "Finally, Elevance Health is down 16 year to date. That's, of course, the former Anthem Blue Cross."

2. Medicaid Managed Care Payers: Heavy Losses

Centene & Molina Healthcare:
- Both are experiencing substantial losses
- Estimated to be down more than 50% YTD
- These stocks are among the worst performers in healthcare this year
- (00:31) "Centene and Molina Healthcare each are two of the stocks that are just getting crushed this year. I don't know the exact numbers in front of me, but they're two of the five healthcare stocks that are down more than 50% year to date."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Market Rebound Highlight:
- (00:15) “CVS, which is CVS Aetna, is up 56% year to date. Quite the rebound this year.” – Scott Becker
Industry Challenges:
- (00:31) “…they’re two of the five healthcare stocks that are down more than 50% year to date.” – Scott Becker, emphasizing industry volatility and the impact on Medicaid-focused payers

Important Segment Timestamps

YTD Declines and Gains for Major Payers: (00:09–00:29)
Fast, data-driven rundown of stock returns for UnitedHealth, CVS, Cigna, and Elevance.
Medicaid Managed Care Payers Under Pressure: (00:29–00:40)
Brief analysis of Centene and Molina’s struggles in 2025.

Summary Tone

Scott Becker’s delivery is direct and factual, underscoring the volatile nature of healthcare payer stocks in 2025, with a particular blend of concern (regarding declines) and surprise (at CVS’s strong rebound). The episode is concise and to-the-point, ideal for listeners seeking a quick financial update.

For anyone needing a fast, clear financial overview of the healthcare payer market in 2025, this episode provides a succinct summary of the current winners and losers among the largest publicly traded payers, plus context about the broader challenges in managed Medicaid stocks.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
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This is Scott Becker with the Becker Healthcare Podcast. These are the four largest publicly traded payers in the year to date. Stock market returns. UnitedHealth Group is down 36% year to date. CVS, which is CVS Aetna is up 56% year to date. Quite the rebound this year. Cigna Healthcare is up 9% year to date. Finally, Elevance Health is down 16 year to date. That's, of course, the former Anthem Blue Cross. I'll add on to these two other big payer stocks that are really in the Medicaid managed care world. Centene and Molina Healthcare each are two of the stocks that are just getting crushed this year. I don't know the exact numbers in front of me, but they're five of the, they're two of the five healthcare stocks that are down more than 50% year to date. Thank you for listening to the Becker's Healthcare Podcast. Thank you very, very.