Humana (NYSE:HUM) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Still a Buy?

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 2,624,380 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 61% from the previous session’s volume of 1,631,849 shares.The stock last traded at $197.6110 and had previously closed at $207.93.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on HUM. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underperform” rating on shares of Humana in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Wolfe Research lifted their price objective on Humana from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Mizuho upped their target price on Humana from $300.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Bank of America raised their price target on Humana from $280.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Humana from $313.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Humana has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $293.21.

Humana Trading Down 0.8%

The company has a market capitalization of $23.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $257.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $263.95.

Humana (NYSE:HUM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $3.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.95 by $0.29. Humana had a net margin of 1.02% and a return on equity of 12.86%. The business had revenue of $32.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $4.16 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Humana Inc. will post 16.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Humana

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. CoreCap Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Humana by 54.4% in the fourth quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the period. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton boosted its position in Humana by 136.0% during the 4th quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 118 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 68 shares during the period. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Humana during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in Humana in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Private Wealth Management Group LLC increased its position in Humana by 47.5% in the 3rd quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 149 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. 92.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Humana Company Profile

Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM) is a health insurance company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, that primarily serves individuals and groups across the United States. The company is best known for its Medicare business, offering Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug (Part D) coverage, alongside a range of commercial and employer-sponsored group health plans. Humana’s products are designed to cover medical, behavioral health and pharmacy needs for members, with particular emphasis on seniors and Medicare-eligible populations.

In addition to traditional insurance products, Humana provides care-management and wellness services intended to support chronic-condition management, preventive care and care coordination.