Mizuho Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Humana (NYSE:HUM) Stock

Key Points

• Mizuho raised its price target to $290, implying about a 23% upside, while the consensus analyst view remains a "Hold" with an average target near $243.17 amid mixed recent price-target moves.
• Humana reported a strong Q1 — beating EPS and revenue estimates, posting over $1 billion in profit and ~23.5% revenue growth with robust Medicare Advantage membership gains, and set FY2026 EPS guidance around 9.0.
• Near-term risks persist as management left 2026 guidance largely unchanged, flagged a decline in Medicare Advantage Star ratings and warned Medicare payment updates aren't keeping pace with costs, which pressured the stock despite the earnings beat even as management targets a ~3% MA margin by 2028.

Humana (NYSE:HUM - Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by research analysts at Mizuho from $258.00 to $290.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. Mizuho's target price would suggest a potential upside of 23.23% from the stock's previous close.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on Humana from $180.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Humana from $264.00 to $205.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Evercore raised their target price on shares of Humana from $180.00 to $195.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Humana from $195.00 to $262.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Oppenheimer reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $260.00 price target on shares of Humana in a research note on Thursday. 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $243.17.

Humana Price Performance

HUM stock 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 quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 1.77. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $188.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $227.52. The firm has a market cap of $28.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.17, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.44.

Humana (NYSE:HUM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The insurance provider reported $10.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.97 by $0.34. Humana had a return on equity of 10.45% and a net margin of 0.82%.The company had revenue of $39.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $39.37 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $11.58 earnings per share. 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. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Humana will post 9.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Sanjay K. Shetty bought 810 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $185.21 per share, for a total transaction of $150,020.10. Following the acquisition, the insider owned 11,657 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,158,992.97. This trade represents a 7.47% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Humana

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Montag A & Associates Inc. increased its position in shares of Humana by 1,880.0% in the fourth quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. now owns 99 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC boosted 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 period. Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac acquired a new stake in Humana in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Reflection Asset Management acquired a new stake in Humana in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton raised its position in Humana by 136.0% in the fourth quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 118 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. 92.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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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