MCF Advisors LLC Grows Stock Position in Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM)

MCF Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) by 5.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,071 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after buying an additional 208 shares during the quarter. MCF Advisors LLC’s holdings in Humana were worth $1,522,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in HUM. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. grew its stake in shares of Humana by 14.8% during the 4th quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 490 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $225,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Humana by 15.0% in the fourth quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 3,339 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $1,529,000 after purchasing an additional 436 shares during the period. Apollon Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Humana by 3.9% in the fourth quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,142 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $1,438,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Humana during the 4th quarter valued at $214,000. Finally, First Western Trust Bank purchased a new position in shares of Humana during the 4th quarter valued at $379,000. 92.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Humana Trading Down 1.8 %

NYSE HUM opened at $364.81 on Friday. Humana Inc. has a 12 month low of $298.61 and a 12 month high of $530.54. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $367.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $347.34. The stock has a market cap of $43.96 billion, a PE ratio of 22.72, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70.

Humana (NYSE:HUM) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The insurance provider reported $6.96 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.89 by $1.07. Humana had a net margin of 1.53% and a return on equity of 16.12%. The business had revenue of $29.54 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.52 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $8.94 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Humana Inc. will post 16.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Humana Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $0.885 per share. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. Humana’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on HUM shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Humana from $341.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $395.00 target price on shares of Humana in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Humana from $385.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday. TD Cowen raised their price target on Humana from $396.00 to $407.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Humana in a research note on Monday, June 24th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $374.00 price target on the stock. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Humana currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $398.70.

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.