Humana (NYSE:HUM) Shares Gap Up to $314.64

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $314.64, but opened at $329.99. Humana shares last traded at $324.23, with a volume of 496,981 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $630.00 price target on shares of Humana in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $391.00 target price on shares of Humana in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Raymond James initiated coverage on Humana in a report on Friday, March 22nd. They set a “market perform” rating on the stock. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $370.00 price objective (down previously from $530.00) on shares of Humana in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Humana from $427.00 to $396.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 2nd. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $465.42.

Humana Trading Up 2.0 %

The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $38.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.19, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.45. The company’s 50-day moving average is $346.29 and its 200-day moving average is $427.62.

Humana (NYSE:HUM) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The insurance provider reported ($0.11) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.76 by ($0.87). The firm had revenue of $26.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $25.47 billion. Humana had a net margin of 2.34% and a return on equity of 19.44%. The business’s revenue was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.62 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Humana Inc. will post 16.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Humana Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a $0.885 dividend. This represents a $3.54 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.10%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Humana’s payout ratio is presently 17.86%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Jorge S. Mesquita acquired 545 shares of Humana stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $367.09 per share, for a total transaction of $200,064.05. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 2,578 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $946,358.02. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.29% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Humana

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HUM. Rakuten Securities Inc. acquired a new position in Humana in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Point72 Europe London LLP acquired a new position in shares of Humana in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Gradient Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Humana by 200.0% in the 4th quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 60 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Trust Company N.A acquired a new stake in Humana during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in Humana in the first quarter valued at $28,000. 92.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Humana

Humana Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides medical and specialty insurance products in the United States. It operates through two segments, Insurance and CenterWell. The company offers medical and supplemental benefit plans to individuals. It has a contract with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to administer the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition prescription drug plan program; and contracts with various states to provide Medicaid, dual eligible, and long-term support services benefits.