Humana (NYSE:HUM) Cut to Strong Sell at Zacks Research

Zacks Research lowered shares of Humana (NYSE:HUM) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report released on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Humana’s Q1 2027 earnings at $8.98 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $6.34 EPS and Q3 2027 earnings at $0.70 EPS.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Raymond James Financial reduced their price target on shares of Humana from $340.00 to $230.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $180.00 price target on shares of Humana and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Humana from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday. Leerink Partners reduced their price target on shares of Humana from $267.00 to $185.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Evercore increased their price target on shares of Humana from $180.00 to $195.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Seven research 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $222.09.

Humana Stock Up 1.2%

HUM stock opened at $200.66 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.00, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The company’s 50 day moving average is $181.09 and its 200 day moving average is $231.32. The stock has a market cap of $24.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.44. Humana has a 1-year low of $163.11 and a 1-year high of $315.35.

Humana (NYSE:HUM) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The insurance provider reported ($3.96) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($4.01) by $0.05. The company had revenue of $32.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $32.08 billion. Humana had a net margin of 0.92% and a return on equity of 11.43%. Humana’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned ($2.16) earnings per share. Humana has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.000-9.000 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Humana will post 16.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Humana Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.885 per share. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 26th. Humana’s dividend payout ratio is 36.05%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Humana

In related news, insider Sanjay K. Shetty acquired 810 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $185.21 per share, with a total value of $150,020.10. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider owned 11,657 shares in the company, valued at $2,158,992.97. This trade represents a 7.47% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Humana

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HUM. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Humana during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $202,000. Woodline Partners LP boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 460.0% during the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 10,192 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $2,697,000 after purchasing an additional 8,372 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 53.7% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,293 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 452 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 10.3% during the second quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 2,369 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $581,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the period. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 58.5% during the second quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 2,381 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $582,000 after purchasing an additional 879 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.38% of the company’s stock.

More Humana News

Here are the key news stories impacting Humana this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Board-approved quarterly dividend ($0.885/share) reinforces cash return to shareholders and supports yield-focused demand; dividend payable July 31 with record date June 26. Humana Board Declares Payment of Quarterly Dividend to Stockholders
• Positive Sentiment: Truist raised its price target to $220, which signals some analyst conviction in Humana’s recovery potential and can provide buying interest from momentum/target-driven investors. Truist Financial Increases Humana (NYSE:HUM) Price Target to $220.00
• Positive Sentiment: Jim Cramer discussed Humana’s sizable business on TV — positive media coverage can boost retail attention and short-term demand. Jim Cramer Discusses Big Humana (HUM) Business
• Positive Sentiment: Humana-backed research (telephone training for COPD patients) highlights clinical outcomes and value-based care initiatives that support long-term Medicare Advantage positioning. This is favorable for investor sentiment around durable growth drivers. On the Line for Lung Health: Telephone Training Helps COPD Patients Perfect Inhaler Use
• Neutral Sentiment: Robert W. Baird trimmed its price target to $205 from $264 but kept a “neutral” rating — reduces upside implied by some analysts but is less severe than an outright sell call. Baird adjusts price target on Humana to $205 from $264; maintains neutral rating
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research downgraded HUM to “Strong Sell” and nudged down Q1–Q3 2027 EPS estimates slightly — a headline downgrade can prompt short-term selling pressure and influence sentiment among institutional managers. Zacks Research downgrade coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Data breach impacting Humana customers across Texas and five other states introduces reputational risk, potential remediation costs and regulatory scrutiny — a material negative for near-term risk perception. Data breach hits Humana customers in Texas, five other states

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.