Zacks Research Has Bearish Forecast for Humana Q3 Earnings

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q3 2028 EPS estimates for Humana in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, September 29th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the insurance provider will post earnings per share of $6.58 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $6.73. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Humana’s current full-year earnings is $9.01 per share.

Humana (NYSE:HUM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The insurance provider reported $7.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $7.27 by $0.34. The firm had revenue of $40.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.58 billion. Humana had a return on equity of 11.20% and a net margin of 0.88%.The company’s revenue was up 26.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $6.27 earnings per share.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $450.00 target price on shares of Humana in a report on Monday, August 24th. Guggenheim raised their price target on shares of Humana from $269.00 to $471.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Robert W. Baird set a $390.00 price objective on shares of Humana in a report on Thursday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Humana from $316.00 to $393.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded Humana from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and increased their target price for the company from $249.00 to $370.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Humana has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $408.61.

Humana Stock Performance

Shares of HUM stock opened at $379.32 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $45.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 1.74. Humana has a one year low of $163.11 and a one year high of $428.88. The company’s 50-day moving average is $385.40 and its 200 day moving average is $324.88.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Humana

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 24.6% during the 2nd quarter. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC now owns 167 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the period. Cidel Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Humana by 1.1% in the second quarter. Cidel Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,883 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $1,542,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Humana by 192.0% during the second quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 73 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the period. Fiduciary Alliance LLC grew its stake in shares of Humana by 0.9% during the first quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC now owns 5,628 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $976,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its stake in shares of Humana by 20.0% during the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 324 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $129,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. 92.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Humana Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 27th. Investors of record on Friday, October 30th will be issued a $0.8850 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 30th. This represents a $3.54 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Humana’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.49%.

Humana News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Humana this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Humana said it will maintain affordable Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 while expanding specialized-care options. The offerings could support member retention and strengthen Humana’s competitive position during the annual enrollment period. Humana Maintains Affordable Medicare Advantage Plans and Expands Specialized Care Options for 2027
• Neutral Sentiment: Humana scheduled its third-quarter earnings release for November 6, placing the report during Medicare Advantage open enrollment. Investors will likely focus on membership changes, plan pricing and medical-cost trends. Humana Reports Third-Quarter Earnings Nov. 6
• Neutral Sentiment: Humana’s 2027 Medicare Advantage plan expansion provides additional coverage choices, but the announcement offers limited information on expected enrollment growth, margins or medical costs. Humana Expands Medicare Advantage Options for 2027
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research made several modest estimate changes. It raised 2026 EPS to $9.05 from $9.00 and 2027 EPS to $11.23 from $10.98, but lowered Q3 2028 EPS to $6.58 from $6.73 and full-year 2028 EPS to $29.45 from $30.30. It also slightly reduced its Q4 2026 estimate to a $7.75 loss per share. The firm retained a “Hold” rating, and the longer-term downgrades may weigh on sentiment. What is Zacks Research’s Estimate for Humana Q3 Earnings?

Humana Company Profile

Humana Inc is a health and well-being company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Founded in 1961, the company began as a nursing home operator before expanding into hospitals and health insurance. Today, Humana primarily provides health insurance products and healthcare services for older adults, individuals, military families and other members in the United States.

Humana’s insurance business offers Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and prescription drug plans, as well as Medicaid coverage in select markets.