Cigna Corp. reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, revealing a mixed performance with adjusted operating earnings per share (EPS) of $6.64, falling short of the estimated $7.83 and down -2% year-over-year. Revenue for the quarter reached $65.68 billion, surpassing the expected $63.51 billion and up +28% year-over-year. The company attributed the lower-than-expected earnings to higher medical costs, particularly in its stop-loss insurance business that insures employers against catastrophically high medical claims. Cigna's net income for the quarter was $1.42 billion, up +38% from $1.0 billion in the same period the previous year. The medical cost ratio was reported to be 300 basis points above expectations. Looking ahead, Cigna provided a cautious outlook for 2025, forecasting adjusted operating EPS of at least $29.50, below the consensus estimate of $31.50. The company's shares experienced a significant decline of more than 8% following the earnings release, reflecting investor concerns over the rising medical costs and the conservative guidance for the upcoming year.