Humana IncNYSE: HUM
Health Care · Managed Health Care
$234.67
-0.75%
Vol: 1.1M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Humana crushes Q1 2026 earnings (+12% stock surge) on cost management; sustains 3% margin target
Humana reported Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $10.31 (beat by $1.59), revenue of $39.6 billion (+23.5% YoY) despite 7% initial post-earnings decline signaling margin concerns. Company grew total medical membership to 17.71M (+19% YoY) and Medicare Advantage to 6.39M (+22% YoY). Management cautious on future margins but reaffirms FY2026 adjusted EPS guidance of at least $9. Guggenheim raised PT to $269 from $252; Mizuho to $290. CMS rate increase of 2.48% for 2027 triggered 12% stock surge. CenterWell primary care added 110.5K patients.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Humana reports Q1 2026 EPS of $10.31 beating estimates, affirms FY2026 guidance of $9+ per share; stock rises 5% despite gap-down opening.Mixed▶
Humana released Q1 2026 earnings on April 29 reporting $10.31 EPS versus $10.19 consensus, beating expectations. Revenue of $39.65B exceeded estimates. The insurer affirmed adjusted FY2026 profit guidance of at least $9/share while cutting GAAP guidance. Management noted CMS increased Medicare Advantage rates less than desired amid cost pressures. The company grew Medicare Advantage membership by 25% annually and expanded CenterWell Senior Primary Care by 110,500 patients sequentially.
Apr 29Humana beats Q1 earnings with $39.6B revenue but cuts GAAP guidance; affirms 2026 adjusted EPS at $9.00+Mixed▶
Humana reported Q1 2026 revenue of $39.6 billion, beating consensus of $39.36 billion, with GAAP EPS of $9.83 beating $9.30 estimate but adjusting full-year GAAP guidance down to at least $8.36 from $8.89. Strong Medicare Advantage growth continues with membership reaching 6.39 million, up from 5.22 million year-over-year. The company affirmed 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of at least $9.00. Stock rose 2.01% on the mixed results.
Apr 16Humana, Tuesday Health launch Texas palliative care expansion starting June 1, with eligible members receiving in-person, virtual visits.Mixed▶
Humana Inc. partnered with Tuesday Health to expand value-based palliative care in Texas starting June 1, 2026, offering eligible members in-person and virtual visits plus 24/7 clinical support and caregiver services aimed at reducing hospital visits. The company completed a $1 billion fixed-to-fixed rate junior subordinated notes offering at 6.625% and declared a $0.885 per share dividend payable April 24. Humana will release Q1 2026 financial results on April 29, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET. The stock benefited from a 2.48% Medicare Advantage payment rate increase for 2027, surging 12%, though the company faces ongoing challenges from proposed lower Medicare Advantage payment pressures. Analyst consensus rates HUM as a Hold with a 12-month price target of $242.65.
Apr 15Humana surges 8% on favorable Medicare Advantage reimbursement policy; Q1 earnings set for April 29.Positive▶
Humana stock soared 8% on April 7 following CMS's positive Medicare Advantage reimbursement rate increase announcement. The company launches value-based palliative care partnership in Texas starting June 1. Q1 2026 results due April 29. Board added healthcare investment expert Robert S. Field. Average analyst target: $212.17 with 8 Buy, 2 Sell ratings.
Apr 14Humana stock surges 20% in 6-day win streak as CMS finalizes 2027 Medicare Advantage rates with 2.5% increase.Positive▶
Humana surged 20% in 6-day winning streak after CMS released final 2027 Medicare Advantage rates on April 6, showing 2.5% increase versus flat initial proposal. Company offers MA plans in 46 states covering 85% of U.S. counties. Completed $1.0B debt offering. Q1 2026 results due April 29.
Apr 13Stock surged 12% on favorable Medicare Advantage payment increase; Q1 earnings April 29; board appointment.Positive▶
Humana jumped 12% following Trump administration's announcement of 2.48% Medicare Advantage payment increase for 2027 (exceeding expectations). Q1 2026 earnings April 29. Robert Field elected to Board. Evercore raised PT from $180 to $195. Stock at $197.15.
Apr 10Humana stock surges 11% on Medicare Advantage rate hikePositive▶
Stock jumped 11-12% on 2.48% Medicare Advantage payment rate increase for 2027. Evercore ISI raised target to $195. Wells Fargo raised to $227.
Apr 9Humana surges 12% on Medicare Advantage rate increase for 2027.Positive▶
Humana shares surged 12% after Trump administration announced 2.48% MA rate increase for 2027, adding $13B to insurer revenues. Evercore ISI raised target to $195 from $180 (April 8). Q1 2026 earnings April 29 at 6am ET. Dividend declared $0.885/share. 2025 Impact Report highlights community engagement. Mean price target $212.17 (+7%).
Apr 8Humana surges 12% on Trump administration's 2.48% Medicare Advantage rate increase for 2027.Positive▶
HUM jumped 12% on 2.48% Medicare Advantage rate increase for 2027. Wells Fargo upgraded to Equal Weight $227 PT. Stock $197.15.
Apr 7Humana surges 12% after CMS finalizes 2027 Medicare Advantage rate increase to 2.48%; CGM expansionPositive▶
Humana jumped 12% (to $202.50) after CMS finalized 2.48% rate increase for 2027 MA, projecting $13B+ additional payments. Full CGM coverage for most MA members with $0 OOP in 2026. Released 2025 Impact Report (April 6): 8M MA/PDP members, 1.48M Medicaid served, 24.3% fewer inpatient admissions in value-based care. Completed $1B junior subordinated notes offering. Q1 2026 earnings April 29.
Apr 6Humana faces Medicare Advantage regulatory pressure with 26.8% stock decline and dividend declaration.Negative▶
Humana Inc. faces significant regulatory headwinds as Medicare Advantage oversight intensifies. The stock dropped 26.8% due to proposed lower-than-expected Medicare Advantage payments, with a 30-day decline of 5.52% and 1-year decline of 32.38%. The company announced a $1.0 billion public offering of junior subordinated notes due 2056. The Board declared a dividend of $0.885 per share payable April 24, 2026. Humana will release Q1 2026 results on April 29, 2026. Shareholder activist John Chevedden is seeking approval for severance package limits.
Apr 3Humana to report Q1 2026 earnings April 29; shares down 30% on flat Medicare Advantage rates.Negative▶
Humana will release Q1 2026 results on April 29. Shares declined 30% since government announced plans to keep Medicare Advantage rates nearly flat in 2027. The company reported a $796 million Q4 loss. Issued $1 billion in junior subordinated notes. Hold consensus with $241.60 target (42.88% upside).
Apr 2Humana releases $1B bond offering and reaffirms FY 2026 EPS guidance at $17 while facing challenges from lower Medicare Advantage payment proposals.Negative▶
Humana Inc. announced it will release first quarter 2026 results on April 29, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET with a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET. The company completed a public offering of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-fixed rate junior subordinated notes due 2056 at 6.625%. Humana's Board declared a cash dividend of $0.885 per share payable April 24, 2026. The company reaffirmed full-year adjusted EPS guidance of approximately $17 while warning of elevated medical costs (mid-single digits) and pharmacy costs (low double digits) in 2026. Humana faces significant headwinds with a 26.8% stock decline due to proposed lower-than-expected Medicare Advantage payments. CEO Jim Rechtin and CFO Celeste Mellet will present at the Leerink Partners Global Healthcare Conference.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNHUNITEDHEALTH | $370.09 | -0.11% | +31.7% | 17.9x | 0.41 | $336.5B |
| ELVELEVANCE | $373.38 | -0.81% | +24.4% | 12.9x | 0.50 | $81.7B |
| HUMHUMANA | $234.67 | -0.75% | +29.4% | 15.5x | 0.45 | $28.4B |
| CNCCENTENE | $53.45 | -0.45% | +51.7% | 12.3x | 0.59 | $26.5B |
| MOHMOLINA | $192.82 | -0.92% | +35.8% | 21.9x | 0.55 | $10.1B |
| LLYELI | $964.50 | +3.20% | +0.8% | 22.2x | 0.50 | $834.9B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.