Humana (NYSE:HUM) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Leerink Partners Analyst Says

Key Points

• Leerink Partners raised its price target to $255 (from $185) while maintaining a "market perform" rating — the change implies ~8.4% upside, though consensus remains a Hold with an average analyst target of $243.17 and mixed buy/hold/sell opinions.
• Humana beat Q1 estimates (EPS $10.31 vs. $9.97; revenue $39.65B) and is seeing strong Medicare Advantage membership growth, but management left 2026 guidance largely unchanged and warned of margin headwinds from declining MA Star ratings and Medicare payment pressures.
• Despite the beat, shares fell on the report; management is targeting at least a 3% MA margin by 2028, and the company reported insider buying (810 shares) alongside high institutional ownership (~92%).

Humana (NYSE:HUM - Get Free Report) had its price target raised by equities research analysts at Leerink Partners from $185.00 to $255.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has a "market perform" rating on the insurance provider's stock. Leerink Partners' target price would indicate a potential upside of 8.36% from the stock's previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Oppenheimer restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $260.00 target price on shares of Humana in a report on Thursday. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $344.00 target price on shares of Humana in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Wolfe Research cut their price target on shares of Humana from $325.00 to $250.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 6th. Morgan Stanley set a $146.00 price target on shares of Humana in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d+)" rating on shares of Humana in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Humana presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $243.17.

Humana Price Performance

Shares of Humana stock opened at $235.33 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a market cap of $28.25 billion, a PE ratio of 25.41, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.44. Humana has a 12 month low of $163.11 and a 12 month high of $315.35. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $188.41 and a 200 day moving average of $227.52.

Humana (NYSE:HUM - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The insurance provider reported $10.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $9.97 by $0.34. Humana had a net margin of 0.82% and a return on equity of 10.45%. The firm had revenue of $39.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.37 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $11.58 earnings per share. Humana's revenue for the quarter was up 23.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Humana has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.000- EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Humana will post 9.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Humana

In related news, insider Sanjay K. Shetty acquired 810 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $185.21 per share, for a total transaction of $150,020.10. Following the purchase, the insider directly owned 11,657 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,158,992.97. This trade represents a 7.47% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.20% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Humana

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Montag A & Associates Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Humana by 1,880.0% in the 4th quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. now owns 99 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC grew its position in Humana by 54.4% during the 4th quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac acquired a new position in shares of Humana in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Reflection Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Humana in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton raised its stake in shares of Humana by 136.0% in the fourth quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 118 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. 92.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Humana News

Here are the key news stories impacting Humana this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Management set a public target of at least a 3% MA margin by 2028 and is aligning bids for 2027 while integrating the MaxHealth acquisition — a clear longer‑term margin and scale objective. Humana targets at least 3% MA margin in 2028
• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat estimates (revenue and EPS) and membership growth remains strong — proof of top‑line momentum that supports longer‑term MA scale. Humana earnings beat estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Humana reports profit exceeding $1 billion for the quarter and is on track for ~25% MA membership growth — supporting revenue diversification and longer-term earnings potential. Humana Profits Eclipse $1 Billion
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst moves include a Truist price target raise to $270 and Deutsche Bank issuing a positive forecast — incremental analyst support that can underpin the stock if margins show recovery. Deutsche Bank Issues Positive Forecast
• Neutral Sentiment: Management emphasized “profit recovery” as priority No.1 and outlined planning for 2027 MA bids — signals of active cost/margin management but not immediate fixes. Profit recovery is ‘priority No. 1,’ Humana promises
• Neutral Sentiment: Several outlets note Humana is banking on future CMS rate relief while admitting cost pressures persist — potential upside if CMS moves, but uncertain timing. Humana Bets On CMS Rate Relief
• Neutral Sentiment: Consensus analyst rating remains around “Hold,” reflecting mixed views: growth and scale vs. near‑term margin/headwind risks. Humana Given Consensus Rating of Hold
• Negative Sentiment: Management left 2026 guidance largely unchanged and flagged a decline in MA Star ratings, which reduces expected quality bonuses and pressured investor sentiment. Humana 2026 outlook unchanged due to Star ratings decline
• Negative Sentiment: Humana warned Medicare payment updates are not keeping pace with costs, underscoring margin headwinds that can depress near‑term profitability. Humana Warns Medicare Payments Won’t Keep Up With Costs
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction: shares fell after the earnings release despite the beat — investors punished the stock for unchanged guidance and Star rating risk. Humana stock tumbles despite Q1 beat

About Humana

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.

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