In-Depth Analysis of Humana Stock: Insights from Analysts (12 Ratings)
Analyst Ratings Overview: In the past three months, 12 analysts have provided mixed ratings for Humana, with a total of 10 being indifferent and only 2 somewhat bullish.
Price Target Insights: Analysts have set an average price target of $284.17 for Humana, which is a decline from the previous target of $296.58, with estimates ranging from a low of $260.00 to a high of $344.00.
Financial Performance Indicators: Humana's financial metrics show challenges, including a net margin of 1.68%, return on equity (ROE) of 3.03%, and return on assets (ROA) of 1.08%, all below industry averages.
Market Positioning: As one of the largest private health insurers in the U.S., Humana focuses on government-sponsored programs, but its market capitalization and revenue growth are below industry standards, indicating potential growth challenges.
Get Free Real-Time Notifications for Any Stock
Analyst Views on HUM
About HUM
About the author

UnitedHealth Group 2025 Earnings Report Analysis
- Earnings Beat Expectations: UnitedHealth Group's Q4 2025 earnings report exceeded expectations; however, the stock plummeted 20%, indicating market disappointment with future revenue guidance, resulting in a more than 50% decline from its late 2024 peak.
- Impact of Insurance Policy: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a mere 0.09% increase in 2027 Medicare Advantage rates, significantly below the anticipated 4% to 6%, placing substantial financial pressure on UnitedHealth Group, which leads the Medicare market.
- CEO's Outlook: CEO Timothy Noel emphasized during the earnings call that the CMS proposal does not reflect the realities of medical utilization and cost trends, potentially leading to significant benefit reductions and necessitating a reevaluation of the company's geographic and product footprint.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: Despite short-term challenges, UnitedHealth Group anticipates modest growth in 2026 and a return to low double-digit earnings growth in 2027, with CEO Stephen Hemsley asserting that the company can achieve long-term growth rates of 13% to 16%, presenting potential long-term investment opportunities for shareholders.

Trump Administration's Medicare Proposal Shocks Healthcare Stocks
- Payment Increase Proposal: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed a mere 0.09% net increase in Medicare Advantage payments for 2027, significantly below the anticipated 4% to 6%, resulting in a $90 billion market value loss for the healthcare sector, highlighting the substantial impact of policy uncertainty on market dynamics.
- Earnings Risk Heightened: Analysts warn that if the proposed rates are finalized without adjustments, insurers could see a 15% to 20% decrease in earnings due to the disconnect between rising medical costs and flat funding, exacerbating profitability pressures within the industry.
- Bleak Industry Outlook: Although final rates are expected in April and historical trends suggest potential improvements, analysts predict the healthcare sector may enter a stagnation period of one to two years where earnings fail to expand as previously hoped, negatively affecting investor sentiment.
- Operational Improvements Overlooked: Despite UnitedHealth reporting quarterly improvements in profitability, the headline risk from the payment proposal continues to overshadow operational gains, with analysts noting that while progress is being made, significant recovery challenges remain.









