Molina Healthcare, Inc $MOH Shares Sold by BNP Paribas Financial Markets

Key Points

• BNP Paribas Financial Markets reduced its stake in Molina Healthcare, Inc by 32.4%, selling 57,425 shares to own 119,725 shares valued at approximately $39.4 million.
• Analysts have recently downgraded the stock's price objectives significantly, with JPMorgan reducing it from $272 to $184 and Robert W. Baird from $373 to $179, while maintaining a consensus rating of "Hold".
• In insider trading, Molina's COO James Woys bought 10,000 shares at an average price of $155.94, indicating strong confidence in the company's future.

BNP Paribas Financial Markets reduced its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare, Inc (NYSE:MOH - Free Report) by 32.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 119,725 shares of the company's stock after selling 57,425 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned 0.22% of Molina Healthcare worth $39,436,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Teacher Retirement System of Texas bought a new stake in Molina Healthcare during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,759,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 100.3% in the 1st quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 659 shares of the company's stock valued at $216,000 after buying an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. bought a new position in Molina Healthcare during the 1st quarter worth about $1,070,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 82.1% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 15,635 shares of the company's stock worth $5,150,000 after buying an additional 7,051 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Molina Healthcare during the 1st quarter worth about $255,000. 98.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Molina Healthcare Trading Up 2.2%

MOH traded up $3.68 during trading on Friday, hitting $174.51. 891,477 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,020,765. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $190.19 and a 200 day moving average of $270.64. Molina Healthcare, Inc has a 12-month low of $151.95 and a 12-month high of $365.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.66 and a quick ratio of 1.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.60 and a beta of 0.54.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The company reported $5.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $5.50 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $11.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.94 billion. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 2.60% and a return on equity of 27.72%. The company's revenue was up 15.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $5.86 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Molina Healthcare, Inc will post 24.4 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Molina Healthcare

In related news, Director Ronna Romney sold 700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.74, for a total value of $107,618.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 17,131 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,633,719.94. This trade represents a 3.93% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, COO James Woys bought 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 4th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $155.94 per share, for a total transaction of $1,559,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 74,331 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,591,176.14. This trade represents a 15.54% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on MOH. Morgan Stanley cut shares of Molina Healthcare from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $364.00 to $266.00 in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Molina Healthcare from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, June 29th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $373.00 to $179.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $210.00 target price on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $272.00 to $184.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $225.18.

About Molina Healthcare

Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.