Molina Healthcare Inc. shares rose 4.24% and reached a 20-day high despite the broader market decline, with the Nasdaq-100 down 1.56% and the S&P 500 down 0.85%.
The company has been accused of making misleading statements regarding medical cost trends and its financial outlook, failing to disclose that medical cost pressures were materially higher than represented. This scrutiny comes amid a broader market sentiment shift affecting health insurers, including a 1.3% decline in Molina's shares recently, indicating investor concerns about the company's transparency and governance.
The implications of these allegations could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential governance reforms, impacting Molina's reputation and investor confidence moving forward.
Wall Street analysts forecast MOH stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for MOH is 180.85 USD with a low forecast of 155.00 USD and a high forecast of 250.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
14 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast MOH stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for MOH is 180.85 USD with a low forecast of 155.00 USD and a high forecast of 250.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Buy
9 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 187.000
Low
155.00
Averages
180.85
High
250.00
Current: 187.000
Low
155.00
Averages
180.85
High
250.00
Mizuho
Ann Hynes
Outperform
maintain
$200 -> $220
2026-01-09
Reason
Mizuho
Ann Hynes
Price Target
$200 -> $220
AI Analysis
2026-01-09
maintain
Outperform
Reason
Mizuho analyst Ann Hynes raised the firm's price target on Molina Healthcare to $220 from $200 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm updated targets in the healthcare facilities and managed care group as part of a Q4 preview. Mizuho's physician survey indicated healthcare utilization growth trends decelerated sequentially despite easier year-over-year comps, which could indicate trend is peaking, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
Wells Fargo
Stephen Baxter
Overweight
maintain
$165 -> $208
2026-01-07
Reason
Wells Fargo
Stephen Baxter
Price Target
$165 -> $208
2026-01-07
maintain
Overweight
Reason
Wells Fargo analyst Stephen Baxter raised the firm's price target on Molina Healthcare to $208 from $165 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. For managed care organizations, the firm is most constructive on Medicare Advantage with uncertainty high for Medicaid/Exchanges. Wells sees a more difficult backdrop for hospitals in 2026 as post-COVID tailwinds wane and legislative risks near. Distributor debate remains revisions vs. multiples.
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Bernstein
Outperform
maintain
$182 -> $224
2026-01-06
Reason
Bernstein
Price Target
$182 -> $224
2026-01-06
maintain
Outperform
Reason
Bernstein raised the firm's price target on Molina Healthcare to $224 from $182 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm sees a sector turnaround in the government managed care organization sector beginning in 2026, but expects to see bumps in the recovery. Bernstein believes all MCO sectors present attractive entry points, with Medicare Advantage likely to see the nearest term earnings improvements and Medicaid representing the most attractive valuations.
Truist
David MacDonald
Hold
downgrade
$190 -> $175
2026-01-05
Reason
Truist
David MacDonald
Price Target
$190 -> $175
2026-01-05
downgrade
Hold
Reason
Truist analyst David MacDonald lowered the firm's price target on Molina Healthcare to $175 from $190 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares. While there remains uncertainty around Enhanced Advance Premium Tax Credits, expectations around an extension resolution are low, and the firm's estimates assume meaningful membership contraction in Marketplace in 2026 across its coverage universe, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Truist sees an attractive Medicare margin recovery opportunity in both Individual and Group given what a conservative utilization assumptions dialed into pricing following several years of strong trend, the attractive MA rate update, and the companies' focus on margin over growth aided by targeted initiatives including benefit adjustments, pricing and footprint rationalization.
About MOH
Molina Healthcare, Inc. is a provider of managed healthcare services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through the state insurance marketplaces. The Company operates through four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace and Other. The Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace segments represent the government-funded or sponsored programs under which it offers managed healthcare services. Medicaid provides healthcare and long-term services and support to low-income Americans. Medicare is a federal program that provides eligible persons aged 65 and over, and some disabled persons, with a variety of hospital, medical insurance, and prescription drug benefits. The Marketplace insurance exchanges allow individuals and small groups to purchase federally subsidized health insurance. It arranges healthcare services for its members through contracts with a network of providers, including independent physicians and physician groups, hospitals, ancillary providers, and pharmacies.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
