Leerink Partnrs Brokers Decrease Earnings Estimates for Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM)

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) – Leerink Partnrs decreased their Q3 2024 earnings estimates for shares of Humana in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, April 24th. Leerink Partnrs analyst W. Mayo now forecasts that the insurance provider will post earnings of $4.08 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $4.38. The consensus estimate for Humana’s current full-year earnings is $16.08 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for Humana’s Q4 2024 earnings at ($1.86) EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $8.76 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $5.75 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at ($0.56) EPS and FY2025 earnings at $22.16 EPS.

Humana (NYSE:HUM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 24th. The insurance provider reported $7.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.12 by $1.11. The company had revenue of $29.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $28.52 billion. Humana had a return on equity of 17.76% and a net margin of 1.82%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $9.38 earnings per share.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on HUM. Argus downgraded Humana from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. TheStreet downgraded Humana from a “b” rating to a “c+” rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of Humana from $427.00 to $396.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 2nd. Raymond James assumed coverage on shares of Humana in a report on Friday, March 22nd. They set a “market perform” rating for the company. Finally, Stephens reduced their target price on shares of Humana from $550.00 to $430.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $424.50.

Humana Stock Down 1.8 %

Shares of HUM opened at $305.90 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. Humana has a 52-week low of $299.23 and a 52-week high of $541.21. The company has a market cap of $36.86 billion, a PE ratio of 19.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.45. The business has a fifty day moving average of $327.77 and a 200 day moving average of $393.91.

Humana Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 28th will be issued a $0.885 dividend. This represents a $3.54 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.16%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 28th. Humana’s dividend payout ratio is presently 22.04%.

Insider Transactions at Humana

In related news, Director Jorge S. Mesquita purchased 545 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $367.09 per share, for a total transaction of $200,064.05. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,578 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $946,358.02. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.32% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Humana

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HUM. Rakuten Securities Inc. purchased a new position in Humana during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Gradient Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Humana by 200.0% during the 4th quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 60 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. Cetera Trust Company N.A purchased a new position in shares of Humana during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Humana in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Nvwm LLC boosted its holdings in Humana by 41.0% during the third quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 86 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.38% of the company’s stock.

About Humana

Humana Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides medical and specialty insurance products in the United States. It operates through two segments, Insurance and CenterWell. The company offers medical and supplemental benefit plans to individuals. It has a contract with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to administer the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition prescription drug plan program; and contracts with various states to provide Medicaid, dual eligible, and long-term support services benefits.