Equities research analysts at Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) lowered their price target on shares of Humana (NYSE: HUM) from $93.00 to $85.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday. The firm currently has a “hold” rating on the stock.
The analysts wrote, “Core Retail (Medicare) segment shows significant margin contraction in 1Q12. Humana’s 1Q12 EPS slumped by 20% from 1Q11 as significant margin contraction in the core Retail segment more than offset solid 11% revenue growth. While HUM raised 2012 EPS guidance by a nickel, it trimmed Retail segment margin guidance for the second time this year. Investors had been expecting margin upside in the Retail segment to drive EPS beats during 2012. We reduce 2012-2013 EPS ests & PT. Maintain Hold rating with solid MA growth offset by margin pressures.”
A number of other firms have also recently commented on HUM. Analysts at Oppenheimer (NYSE: OPY) reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Humana in a research note to investors on Monday. They now have a $98.00 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Jefferies Group (NYSE: JEF) reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Humana in a research note to investors on Monday. They now have a $103.00 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at Jefferies Group (NYSE: JEF) reiterated a “positive” rating on shares of Humana in a research note to investors on Friday, March 23rd.
Shares of Humana traded up 4.52% during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $84.33. Humana has a 52 week low of $65.20 and a 52 week high of $96.46. The company has a market cap of $13.834 billion and a P/E ratio of 9.54.
The company last announced its quarterly results on Monday, April 30th. It reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the previous quarter, missing the Thomson Reuters consensus estimate of $1.54 EPS by $0.05. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 11.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Humana will post $2.46 earnings per share next quarter.
Humana Inc. (Humana) is a health and supplemental benefits company. The Company provides full-service benefits and wellness solutions, offering an array of health, pharmacy and supplemental benefit products for employer groups, Government benefit programs, and individuals, as well as primary and workplace care, through its medical centers and worksite medical facilities.
