Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Forecast for MOH Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research lowered Molina Healthcare’s EPS forecasts, including Q3 2026 to $0.70 from $0.71 and FY2026 to $5.25 from $5.27, signaling modest pressure on expected profitability.
• Despite the cuts, Zacks maintained a “Strong Buy” rating, while the broader analyst consensus is “Hold” with an average price target of $202.44.
• Molina’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with EPS of $1.51 versus the $1.39 consensus, though revenue fell 4.8% year over year and the company posted a slightly negative net margin.

Molina Healthcare, Inc (NYSE:MOH - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q3 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Molina Healthcare in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, October 13th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $0.70 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.71. Zacks Research has a "Strong-Buy" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Molina Healthcare's current full-year earnings is $5.29 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Molina Healthcare's Q4 2026 earnings at $0.69 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.25 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.23 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $2.11 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $9.24 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $2.13 EPS and Q3 2028 earnings at $4.06 EPS.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on MOH. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $286.00 price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research note on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group set a $230.00 target price on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Barclays lowered their target price on Molina Healthcare from $184.00 to $180.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Molina Healthcare from $235.00 to $220.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Molina Healthcare has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $202.44.

Molina Healthcare Stock Performance

MOH opened at $209.38 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.93 billion, a PE ratio of -1,163.13, a PEG ratio of 29.29 and a beta of 0.78. Molina Healthcare has a twelve month low of $121.06 and a twelve month high of $244.89. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $198.62 and its 200 day moving average price is $192.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The company reported $1.51 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $10.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.83 billion. Molina Healthcare had a negative net margin of 0.02% and a positive return on equity of 3.73%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $5.48 earnings per share.

Institutional Trading of Molina Healthcare

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MOH. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC raised its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 14.8% during the 3rd quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 4,588 shares of the company's stock worth $898,000 after acquiring an additional 593 shares during the period. Wedmont Private Capital grew its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 3.6% in the third quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 1,918 shares of the company's stock valued at $375,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. LifeGoal Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 7.2% in the third quarter. LifeGoal Investments LLC now owns 1,585 shares of the company's stock valued at $300,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 15.3% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,379 shares of the company's stock valued at $450,000 after purchasing an additional 315 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 71.2% in the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,777 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,092,000 after purchasing an additional 1,987 shares during the period. 98.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting Molina Healthcare

Here are the key news stories impacting Molina Healthcare this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Investor sentiment toward managed-care insurers has improved, while Molina’s scheduled earnings release and the launch of its Illinois HealthChoice Medicaid contract are providing near-term catalysts. The company’s prior quarter also exceeded adjusted EPS expectations, supporting confidence in execution. Molina Healthcare Gains as Investors Weigh Sector Tailwinds and Near-Term Catalysts
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research continues to rate MOH “Strong Buy,” despite trimming several forecasts. The stock also outperformed peers during a broadly strong trading session, indicating favorable recent market momentum. Molina Healthcare Inc. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day
• Neutral Sentiment: Molina is projected to report quarterly earnings on Wednesday, making the upcoming results and management outlook the key near-term catalysts for the shares. Molina Healthcare Projected to Post Quarterly Earnings on Wednesday
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research lowered EPS estimates across multiple periods: Q3 2026 to $0.70 from $0.71, Q4 2026 to $0.69 from $0.70, FY2026 to $5.25 from $5.27, FY2027 to $9.24 from $9.28, and modestly reduced 2027–2028 quarterly forecasts. The cuts suggest some pressure on expected profitability, although the revised FY2026 estimate remains close to the broader $5.29 consensus.
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider activity consisted of sales rather than purchases, while one analyst comparison favored Centene over Molina because of Centene’s valuation and earnings outlook. These signals may weigh on sentiment. Centene vs. Molina: Which Managed Care Stock Has More Upside?

About Molina Healthcare

Molina Healthcare, Inc is a managed-care company that provides health insurance and related healthcare services primarily to individuals and families who receive coverage through government-sponsored programs. Its main lines of business include Medicaid, Medicare, and health plans offered through government marketplaces.

The company works with state and federal agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations to coordinate care for members, including low-income adults and children, seniors, and people with disabilities or complex medical needs.

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