CVS Health vs DeepIntent

Goldman recommends defensive stocks amid AI bull concerns

Goldman Sachs advises investors concerned about a potential slowdown in the AI trade to consider defensive stocks in health care and consumer staples. The bank notes that AI capital spending currently contributes about half of S&P 500 earnings growth, but expects this to diminish as spending growth slows. Rising energy prices and interest rates are clouding the economic outlook, with higher financing costs raising doubts about the durability of the AI infrastructure buildout. Goldman's screen highlights companies with high free cash flow yields and recent underperformance, such as Tyson Foods (11% FCF yield, down 17% over six months) and CVS Health (9% FCF yield, down 15% in three months). Despite these defensive recommendations, Goldman's base case still expects continued earnings growth, with a potential catch-up trade in consumer-facing stocks fueled by weaker energy prices and falling interest rates anticipated in 2027.

• Goldman Sachs recommends defensive stocks in health care and consumer staples amid AI trade concerns.
• AI capital spending contributes about half of S&P 500 earnings growth, but Goldman expects this to diminish.
• Rising energy prices and interest rates are clouding the economic outlook.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for CVS Health (2026-08-05)

CVS Health Corporation reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2026, driven by top-line growth across all major operating segments. Total revenues increased 7.3% year-over-year to $106.10 billion, up from $98.92 billion in Q2 2025. Operating income saw a substantial 97.5% increase to $4.70 billion, compared to $2.38 billion in the prior-year period, primarily supported by core operational improvements and the absence of $833 million in legacy litigation charges incurred in Q2 2025. Net income attributable to CVS Health rose significantly to $2.98 billion ($2.31 diluted EPS) from $1.02 billion ($0.80 diluted EPS). Performance in the Health Care Benefits segment reflected improved medical loss dynamics, with the Medical Benefit Ratio (MBR) declining to 87.4% from 89.9% in Q2 2025, driven by improved underlying Government business performance and the absence of prior-year premium deficiency reserves. Growth was supported by the Health Services segment, where revenues climbed 11.5% to $51.80 billion, and Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness, which posted a 2.9% increase in pharmacy same-store sales aided by Rite Aid file acquisitions. In regulatory matters, CVS reached a proposed settlement with the FTC to resolve outstanding PBM and pharmacy inquiries.

• Q2 2026 consolidated total revenues reached $106.10 billion, an increase of 7.3% year-over-year, with operating income increasing 97.5% to $4.70 billion.
• Health Care Benefits Medical Benefit Ratio (MBR) improved by 250 bps year-over-year to 87.4%, while total medical membership stood at 26.02 million as of June 30, 2026.
• Operating cash flow for the first six months of 2026 increased 64.2% year-over-year to $10.59 billion, supporting $3.29 billion in long-term debt repayments.

Pixability Appoints Norm de Greve, Former General Motors CMO and Chairman of the MMA, to its Advisory Board

Norm de Greve, former CMO of General Motors and CVS Health and Chairman of the MMA, has joined the advisory board of Pixability, a leading AI-driven technology company that helps brands maximize YouTube advertising. In an interview with AdExchanger, de Greve highlights common mistakes brands make with YouTube marketing, emphasizing the need for an integrated strategy across paid, owned, and creator channels, which most brands lack. He also notes YouTube's growing importance as a top source for AI search and advocates for a holistic approach to content and creator management. De Greve critiques current AI use in marketing, urging brands to redesign workflows around AI rather than optimize old processes. Pixability's AI-driven approach aims to help marketers analyze organic content, amplify successful strategies, and allocate budgets more effectively across YouTube's ecosystem.

• Norm de Greve, former CMO of General Motors and CVS Health and Chairman of the MMA, joined Pixability's advisory board.
• Pixability is a YouTube-focused AI company that helps brands maximize paid and owned media and leverage creators.
• De Greve advises brands to integrate paid, owned, and creator YouTube strategies.

DeepIntent Launches Cora, the First Fully Agentic Marketing Platform for Healthcare

DeepIntent announced the launch of Cora, described as the first fully agentic marketing platform for healthcare, marking a significant product introduction.

DeepIntent launches agentic ad platform Cora for pharma marketing

DeepIntent, a healthcare-focused adtech firm, has launched Cora, an AI-powered agentic advertising platform designed for pharmaceutical marketers. The platform uses multiple AI agents to handle campaign planning, audience strategy, and media execution, including linear TV via a VideoAmp integration. Cora aims to speed up marketing workflows, with beta tests showing a 50% reduction in planning cycles and over 95% of clients reporting faster processes. This launch follows DeepIntent's majority stake sale to Vitruvian Partners, which provided $637 million to develop AI tools. The company targets the growing complexity of pharma marketing, especially for niche drugs targeting small patient populations. Cora is also powered by Helix, a data application providing aggregated healthcare data, including payer signals and drug coverage insights.

• DeepIntent launched Cora, an agentic ad platform for pharma marketing.
• Cora uses AI agents for campaign planning, audience targeting, and execution.
• Cora integrates with VideoAmp for linear TV campaign execution.

DeepIntent Expands Inventory Marketplace with Vistar Media Partnership, Bringing Premium Digital Out-of-Home Inventory to Healthcare Marketers

DeepIntent Expands Inventory Marketplace with Vistar Media Partnership, Bringing Premium Digital Out-of-Home Inventory to Healthcare Marketers