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.