UBS Group Lowers Humana (NYSE:HUM) Price Target to $326.00

Humana (NYSE:HUM) had its price target decreased by UBS Group from $334.00 to $326.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. UBS Group currently has a neutral rating on the insurance provider’s stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also commented on HUM. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Humana from $411.00 to $381.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on Humana from $450.00 to $385.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 3rd. TD Cowen decreased their price target on Humana from $427.00 to $396.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 2nd. Argus lowered Humana from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Humana from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $424.50.

Humana Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HUM opened at $305.90 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $36.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. Humana has a 1-year low of $299.23 and a 1-year high of $541.21. The business’s 50 day moving average is $327.77 and its 200-day moving average is $393.91.

Humana (NYSE:HUM) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 24th. The insurance provider reported $7.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.12 by $1.11. The company had revenue of $29.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.52 billion. Humana had a return on equity of 17.76% and a net margin of 1.82%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $9.38 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Humana will post 16.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Humana Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 26th. Investors of record on Friday, June 28th will be given a dividend of $0.885 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 28th. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.16%. Humana’s dividend payout ratio is currently 22.04%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Jorge S. Mesquita purchased 545 shares of Humana stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $367.09 per share, for a total transaction of $200,064.05. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,578 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $946,358.02. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Humana

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Rakuten Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Humana in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Gradient Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Humana by 200.0% in the 4th quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 60 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Trust Company N.A bought a new stake in shares of Humana in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Humana during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Nvwm LLC boosted its position in shares of Humana by 41.0% during the 3rd quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 86 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.38% of the company’s stock.

Humana Company Profile

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.