10:21 AM EDT, 10/31/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with guidance on Cigna's ( CI ) Q4 share repurchase plans and Bloomberg report in the sixth and last paragraphs.)

Cigna Group ( CI ) reported Q3 adjusted earnings Thursday of $7.51 per diluted share, up from $6.77 a year earlier.

Analysts polled by Capital IQ expected $7.25.

Revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 30 was $63.69 billion, up from $49.05 billion a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by Capital IQ expected $59.59 billion.

The company said it continues to expect 2024 adjusted earnings of at least $28.40 per diluted share. Analysts surveyed by Capital IQ expect $28.50.

Following the release of its Q3 results, Cigna ( CI ) Chairman David Cordani told analysts on an earnings call that the company plans to "continue to actively repurchase our shares in the fourth quarter, further leveraging our remaining repurchase capacity, which stands at [$5.6 billion]."

Cordani's remarks signal that the company is focused on returning cash to shareholders over a possible deal with Humana (HUM), Bloomberg reported Thursday.

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