Jefferies Financial Group Issues Positive Forecast for Humana (NYSE:HUM) Stock Price

Key Points

• Jefferies raised its price target on Humana to $290 (from $235), implying about a 23.23% upside from the current share price.
• Humana beat Q1 estimates (EPS $10.31 vs. $9.97; revenue $39.65B, up 23.5% year-over-year) and reported quarterly profit above $1 billion, while setting FY2026 guidance at about 9.00 EPS (analysts expect ~9.03).
• Despite the beat and some analyst target raises, the consensus rating remains around Hold (average target $243.17) and shares fell after the report as management left guidance largely unchanged and warned of margin pressures tied to declining MA Star ratings.

Humana (NYSE:HUM - Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $235.00 to $290.00 in a report issued on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. Jefferies Financial Group's price objective would indicate a potential upside of 23.23% from the stock's current price.

Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Humana from $206.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Morgan Stanley set a $146.00 price objective on shares of Humana in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Zacks Research cut Humana from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Wolfe Research cut their target price on Humana from $325.00 to $250.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 6th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Humana in a report on Friday. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $243.17.

Humana Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HUM opened at $235.33 on Thursday. Humana has a 1-year low of $163.11 and a 1-year high of $315.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.77 and a quick ratio of 2.00. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $188.41 and a 200-day moving average price of $227.52. The company has a market capitalization of $28.25 billion, a PE ratio of 25.17, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.44.

Humana (NYSE:HUM - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The insurance provider reported $10.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $39.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $39.37 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $11.58 EPS. Humana's revenue was up 23.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Humana has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.000- EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Humana will post 9.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Humana

In other news, insider Sanjay K. Shetty bought 810 shares of Humana stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $185.21 per share, with a total value of $150,020.10. Following the acquisition, the insider owned 11,657 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,158,992.97. The trade was a 7.47% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Humana

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HUM. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC grew its stake in Humana by 3.5% during the fourth quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 1,060 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $272,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Unison Advisors LLC lifted its position in Humana by 0.4% during the third quarter. Unison Advisors LLC now owns 10,137 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $2,646,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Humana by 54.4% in the 4th quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Humana by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,484 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $386,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Columbus Macro LLC increased its holdings in shares of Humana by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Columbus Macro LLC now owns 821 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $210,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. 92.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Humana

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

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.

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