SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 21, 2018

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

900 Cottage Grove Road

 (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR    240.14d-2(b))

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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure.

Cigna Corporation ("Cigna") officials expect to participate in meetings with investors and analysts over the next several weeks.  During these meetings, Cigna officials expect to reaffirm projected full year 2018 consolidated adjusted income from operations, which remains in the range of $3.49 billion to $3.54 billion.

Cigna discussed its full year 2018 outlook in its press release dated November 1, 2018 and during the related investor conference call.  The press release and the conference call transcript are available under Quarterly Reports and SEC Filings in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website located at www.cigna.com/aboutcigna/investors.

Adjusted income (loss) from operations is defined as shareholders' net income (loss) excluding the following after-tax adjustments:  net realized investment results, net amortization of other acquired intangible assets and special items.  Adjusted income (loss) from operations is a measure of profitability used by Cigna's management because it presents the underlying results of operations of Cigna's businesses and permits analysis of trends in underlying revenue, expenses and shareholders' net income.  This consolidated measure is not determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and should not be viewed as a substitute for the most directly comparable GAAP measure, shareholders' net income.  Management is not able to provide a reconciliation to shareholders' net income (loss) on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to predict, without unreasonable effort, certain components thereof including (i) future net realized investment results and (ii) future special items. These items are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. As such, any associated estimate and its impact on shareholders' net income could vary materially.

This information shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act whether made before or after the date of this report, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This Current Report on Form 8-K (the "Report"), and oral statements made with respect to information contained in this Report, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are based on Cigna's current expectations and projections about future trends, events and uncertainties.  These statements are not historical facts.  Forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements relating to our projected full year 2018 consolidated adjusted income from operations as reflected in Item 7.01 of this Report, as well as statements made in our press release dated November 1, 2018 and related investor conference call concerning our projected adjusted income (loss) from operations outlook for 2018, on both a consolidated and segment basis; projected total revenue growth and global medical customer growth, each over year end 2017; projected growth in 2019 and beyond; projected medical care and operating expense ratios and medical cost trends; our projected consolidated adjusted tax rate; future financial or operating performance, including our ability to deliver personalized and innovative solutions for our customers and clients; future growth, business strategy, strategic or operational initiatives; economic, regulatory or competitive environments, particularly with respect to the pace and extent of change in these areas; financing or capital deployment plans and amounts available for future deployment; our prospects for growth in the coming years; the proposed merger (the "Merger") with Express Scripts Holding Company ("Express Scripts") and other statements regarding Cigna's future beliefs, expectations, plans, intentions, financial condition or performance. You may identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "may," "should," "will" or other words or expressions of similar meaning, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms.

 

 

 

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: our ability to achieve our financial, strategic and operational plans or initiatives; our ability to predict and manage medical costs and price effectively and develop and maintain good relationships with physicians, hospitals and other health care providers; the impact of modifications to our operations and processes; our ability to identify potential strategic acquisitions or transactions and realize the expected benefits of such transactions, including with respect to the Merger; the substantial level of government regulation over our business and the potential effects of new laws or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations; the outcome of litigation, regulatory audits, investigations, actions and/or guaranty fund assessments; uncertainties surrounding participation in government-sponsored programs such as Medicare; the effectiveness and security of our information technology and other business systems; unfavorable industry, economic or political conditions, including foreign currency movements; acts of war, terrorism, natural disasters or pandemics; our ability to obtain regulatory approvals required for the Merger or the requirement to accept conditions that could reduce the anticipated benefits of the Merger as a condition to obtaining regulatory approvals; the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the merger (including anticipated synergies) cannot be realized in full, or at all or may take longer to realize than expected; a longer time than anticipated to consummate the proposed Merger; problems regarding the successful integration of the businesses of Express Scripts and Cigna; unexpected costs regarding the proposed Merger; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities during the pendency of the Merger; potential litigation associated with the proposed Merger; the ability to retain key personnel; the availability of financing, including relating to the proposed Merger; effects on the businesses as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed Merger; as well as more specific risks and uncertainties discussed in our most recent report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K available on the Investor Relations section of www.cigna.com as well as on Express Scripts' most recent report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K available on the Investor Relations section of www.express-scripts.com.  You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, are not guarantees of future performance or results, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict or quantify. Cigna undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Cigna Corporation
Date:  November 21, 2018	By:	/s/ Eric P. Palmer
		Eric P. Palmer
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)