Humana (NYSE:HUM) Sets New 12-Month High – Should You Buy?

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM)’s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $315.50 and last traded at $312.4950, with a volume of 6460 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $310.55.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on HUM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Humana from $180.00 to $214.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Evercore raised their target price on shares of Humana from $195.00 to $250.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Humana from $158.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Humana from $235.00 to $290.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Humana from $173.00 to $211.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Humana presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $260.83.

Humana Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $37.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.68. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $210.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $226.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.77 and a quick ratio of 1.77.

Humana (NYSE:HUM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The insurance provider reported $10.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.97 by $0.34. The firm had revenue of $39.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $39.37 billion. Humana had a return on equity of 10.45% and a net margin of 0.82%.The company’s revenue was up 23.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $11.58 EPS. Humana has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.000- EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Humana Inc. will post 9 EPS for the current year.

Humana Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 26th will be given a $0.885 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 26th. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Humana’s dividend payout ratio is presently 37.86%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Humana news, insider Sanjay K. Shetty acquired 810 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $185.21 per share, for a total transaction of $150,020.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 11,657 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,158,992.97. The trade was a 7.47% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Humana

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HUM. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Humana during the 4th quarter valued at about $202,000. Woodline Partners LP lifted its position in shares of Humana by 460.0% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 10,192 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $2,697,000 after buying an additional 8,372 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in Humana by 53.7% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,293 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $316,000 after buying an additional 452 shares during the last quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Humana by 10.3% during the 2nd quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 2,369 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $581,000 after buying an additional 222 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd grew its holdings in Humana by 58.5% during the 2nd quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 2,381 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $582,000 after buying an additional 879 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.38% of the company’s stock.

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.