Is ELV's Q1 2025 earnings forecast achievable?

**Elevance Health's (ELV) Q1 2025 earnings forecast appears achievable based on the company's reaffirmation and historical performance indicators.** Here's a detailed analysis:

1. **Reaffirmation of Earnings Guidance**: ELV has reaffirmed its earnings guidance for the full year 2025, expecting to report earnings of $30.40 to $31.10 per diluted share. This includes approximately $3.75 per diluted share of net unfavorable items. Excluding these items, the adjusted earnings are projected to be between $34.15 and $34.85 per diluted share.

2. **Comparison with Analyst Estimates**: The company's CFO, Mark Bradley Kaye, has indicated that the current analysts’ estimates for Q1 profits are lower than the management’s expectations. He mentioned that the street forecast for Q1 is “a dollar light,” suggesting that the actual earnings could potentially exceed market expectations.
3. **Historical Performance**: ELV's strong market position and consistent dividend growth for 14 consecutive years support the achievability of its earnings forecast. The company's "GREAT" financial health score and stable revenue further underscore its financial resilience.
4. **Market Reception and Investor Confidence**: Despite the lack of specific Q1 2025 financial data, the market has reacted positively to ELV's reaffirmation of its 2025 earnings guidance and the CFO's comments at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference. This suggests investor confidence in the company's earnings potential.

In conclusion, while specific Q1 2025 financial data is not available, ELV's reaffirmation of its earnings guidance, historical performance indicators, and positive market reception support the achievability of its Q1 2025 earnings forecast.