Humana Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides medical and specialty insurance products in the United States. It operates through two segments, Insurance and CenterWell. The company offers medical and supplemental benefit plans to individuals. It has a contract with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to administer the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition prescription drug plan program; and contracts with various states to provide Medicaid, dual eligible, and long-term support services benefits. In addition, the company provides commercial fully-insured medical and specialty health insurance benefits comprising dental, vision, life insurance, and other supplemental health benefits, as well as administrative services only products to individuals and employer groups; military services, such as TRICARE T2017 East Region contract; and engages in the operations of pharmacy benefit manager business. Further, it operates pharmacies and senior focused primary care centers; and offers home solutions services, such as home health, hospice, and other services to its health plan members, as well as to third parties. The company sells its products through employers and employees, independent brokers and agents, sales representatives, and digital insurance agencies. The company was formerly known as Extendicare Inc. and changed its name to Humana Inc. in April 1974. Humana Inc. was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

Humana выглядит как крупный и ликвидный бизнес, но фундаментально сейчас он не выглядит настолько сильным, чтобы оправдывать агрессивный пересмотр оценки вверх. Выручка держится на уровне около 32.5 млрд и за год выросла, что поддерживает базу для оценки, однако прибыльность заметно слабее отрасли: ROE, ROA и ROI существенно ниже медианы, а чистая и операционная маржа остаются слабыми. P/S и P/B выглядят сравнительно низкими, что может указывать на сдержанную оценку рынком, но это частично объясняется слабой рентабельностью и давлением на качество прибыли. P/E выше медианы отрасли, то есть по прибыли компания уже не выглядит дешёвой, особенно на фоне низкой маржинальности. Долговая нагрузка умеренная по абсолютному уровню, но debt/equity выше отраслевой медианы, а ликвидность вызывает вопросы: quick ratio равен нулю, current ratio ниже 1, что для страхово-медицинского бизнеса повышает риск краткосрочного давления на оборотный капитал. Дивидендная доходность снизилась до нуля, поэтому этот фактор больше не поддерживает инвестиционный кейс. Положительно смотрятся денежные средства на балансе и рост собственного капитала, а также сохранение выручки и положительного операционного дохода. При этом EBITDA и net income выглядят неровно, а динамика по ряду показателей за последние периоды скорее ухудшается, чем улучшается. Особенно настораживает снижение рентабельности по сравнению с более ранними кварталами, что ограничивает потенциал переоценки. В сумме картина получается смешанной: баланс и выручка дают опору, но слабая эффективность капитала, низкая ликвидность и неубедительная динамика маржи перевешивают. Для инвестора это означает, что справедливая оценка должна быть осторожнее текущего базового ориентира, без ожиданий сильного апсайда в ближайший год.

Humana Inc.

Сильный индекс, незначительно упал. Быки в растерянности.

Strong index, slightly down. The bulls are confused.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок на стороне быков.

Strong index, flat. The market is on the bulls' side.

Сильный индекс, незначительно упал. Приток средств в лонги на высоком уровне.

Strong index, slightly down. Inflow of funds into longs at a high level.

У Humana сильная выручка и баланс, но слабые маржи, низкая ликвидность и рентабельность капитала; оценка выглядит скорее сдержанной, чем недооценённой.

Key Points
Most S&P 500 index funds are market-cap weighted.
An alternative approach is an equal-weighted fund.
Both can serve you well, and one looks less risky.
What's the investment I've recommended most often for most people? A low-fee exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the S&P 500 index, such as the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) or the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: SPY). I suspect many of my colleagues would say the same. Even Warren Buffett has recommended it. In his 2016 letter to shareholders, he noted, "Over the years, I've often been asked for investment advice... My regular recommendation has been a low-cost S&P 500 index fund."
So I'm sorry to point out that it's not a perfect kind of investment. It has some issues.
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What's wrong with the S&P 500?
Here's a big one: It's way more concentrated than most people realize. For example, check out its recent top 10 components:
Company
Weight in S&P 500
Nvidia
7.43%
Alphabet (A and C share classes)
6.59%
Apple
6.48%
Microsoft
4.35%
Amazon.com
3.92%
Broadcom
2.74%
Tesla
2.26%
Meta Platforms
2.17%
Micron Technology
1.65%
Berkshire Hathaway
1.56%
Those weightings may not seem huge until you remember that there are about 490 other companies. These 10 above represent about 2% of the index's holdings but 39% of its total value. So if you invest in the S&P 500 because it's a great way to be quickly and easily invested in 500 of America's biggest companies, you are invested in those companies, but more than a third of your investment is in these 10 companies alone.
Here are the weightings of some other companies:
Company
Rank in S&P 500
Weight in S&P 500
McDonald's
54
0.30%
PepsiCo
59
0.29%
Pfizer
80
0.22%
Kroger
261
0.06%
Clorox
468
0.02%
As you can see, you won't have much invested in the vast majority of the companies.
That can be OK, though. Maybe you like those tech heavyweights in the top 10 -- which include all of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks (Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla). Maybe you want to invest in the 500 companies, with most of your money going to the biggest. After all, most of them have grown very rapidly over the past few years.
Keep in mind, though, that when there's a stock market crash or correction, as there invariably is now and then, those high-flying growth stocks are often the ones that fall harder. That, too, can be OK as long as you have a very long-term investing period. But it's not ideal.
Is there a better alternative to the S&P 500?
There is an alternative to standard S&P 500 index funds that's worth considering: An equal-weighted one. Standard ones are weighted by market cap, meaning the larger a company's market cap, the greater its weighting. The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEMKT: RSP), in contrast, is equal-weighted. The 500 components are rebalanced quarterly, so between rebalancings you'll see fluctuations in the weightings as various stocks gain or lose value from day to day and year to year. Check out its recent top 10 holdings:
Company
Weighting
Dell Technologies
0.48%
SanDisk
0.48%
Intel
0.42%
Advanced Micro Devices
0.42%
Humana
0.40%
Micron Technology
0.40%
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
0.40%
Seagate Technology
0.40%
ON Semiconductor
0.35%
Western Digital
0.35%
Note that Micron Technology appears in both top 10 lists, but in the earlier one, it has a 1.67% weighting, while in the fund above, it has a much lower weighting of 0.35%. This kind of index fund has you much more invested in the other 490 stocks beyond the top 10 -- though, of course, each stock has a relatively minor weighting. But every promising stock will have an equal chance of outperforming for you.
An equal-weighted S&P 500 ETF may not grow as fast as a market-cap-weighted one, but during a market downturn, it may hold its value a bit more. Over the past 15 years, this ETF has averaged annual gains of about 12%, while the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has averaged 14.4%. There's a trade-off, but it's not enormous. Give equal-weighted S&P 500 index funds some consideration.
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Selena Maranjian has positions in Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Pfizer. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Broadcom, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, Nvidia, Pfizer, Tesla, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, and Western Digital. The Motley Fool recommends Kroger and ON Semiconductor and recommends the following options: long January 2028 $320 calls on McDonald's and short January 2028 $340 calls on McDonald's. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Have S&P 500 Index Funds, Often Touted as the Best Stock Investments, Become Dangerous? There's a Worrisome Development -- and a Possibly Better Alternative.

Humana Inc. HUM recently agreed to sell all, or substantially all, of its remaining minority stake in Gentiva, the hospice and palliative care company that emerged from the restructuring of Kindred at Home’s hospice and personal care operations. The transaction values Humana’s stake at roughly $900 million and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
The move completes a strategy Humana set in motion after acquiring Kindred at Home in 2021 and later spinning off non-core hospice and personal care assets. Gentiva has since grown into one of the largest end-of-life care providers in the United States. It operates at more than 430 locations across 35 states and employs over thousands of caregivers and associates.
The minority stake sale to a consortium of investors marks the final step in Humana’s multiyear effort to exit ownership of businesses outside its core health insurance and home-health strategy. It simplifies the company’s portfolio, unlocks capital from a mature investment, and sharpens management’s focus on areas where Humana sees stronger long-term strategic value.
Management said the cash will be used for general corporate purposes. Importantly, Humana does not expect the divestiture to have a material impact on its 2026 earnings, suggesting the Gentiva stake was not a major contributor to current profitability. Gentiva Hospice generated revenues of $2.1 billion in 2025, which led to a net loss of $84 million.
HUM’s Price Performance
Humana’s shares have gained 42.3% year to date compared with the 24.7% rise of the industry it belongs to.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Humana currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Medical space are Biodesix, Inc. BDSX, Molina Healthcare, Inc. MOH and Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. MD, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Biodesix’s full-year 2026 earnings implies a 36% improvement from the year-ago reported figure. It has remained stable over the past 30 days. Over the last four quarters, BDSX beat earnings estimates thrice and missed once, with an average surprise of 25.6%.
The consensus estimate for Molina Healthcare’s 2026 full-year earnings is pegged at $5.23 per share, which has witnessed five upward estimate revisions over the past 60 days against no downward movement. The consensus mark for MOH’s current-year revenues is pegged at $44.07 billion.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Pediatrix Medical’s 2026 bottom line suggests 9.3% year-over-year growth. MD has witnessed three upward estimate revisions over the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. It beat earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed once, with an average surprise of 21.3%.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Humana Closes the Kindred Chapter With $900 Million Gentiva Exit

(RTTNews) - Humana Inc. (HUM) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with a consortium of investors to divest all or substantially all of its minority interest in Gentiva, a provider of end-of-life services including hospice and palliative care. The agreement values Humana's stake at approximately $900 million, though other financial terms were not disclosed.
The company stated that it intends to use the proceeds from the sale for general corporate purposes. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, and Humana does not anticipate a material impact on its 2026 earnings from the pending deal.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Humana To Sell Gentiva Minority Stake In $900 Mln Deal

Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH have gained 20.1% year to date, beating the industry’s 13.8% gain and the S&P 500’s 10.2% rise. The rebound is notable given the challenges hanging over the company. Regulatory investigations, policy uncertainty, elevated healthcare costs and higher utilization continue to create pressure. Yet investors appear increasingly focused on execution rather than headlines. Since Stephen J. Hemsley returned as CEO, the company has worked toward delivering a steadier operating performance, helping restore confidence in the turnaround story.
Among major peers, Elevance Health, Inc. ELV is up 16.8%, while Humana Inc. HUM has surged 36.6%.
YTD Price Performance – UNH, ELV, HUM, Industry & S&P 500
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Early Signs of Improvement
A key piece of the investment case remains Optum Health’s value-based care expansion. If the company can improve care coordination and manage patient outcomes more effectively, it could reduce utilization and strengthen profitability over time.
Recent results suggest some progress is already taking shape. In the first quarter of 2026, the adjusted medical care ratio improved 90 basis points year over year to 83.9%. That improvement points to better cost management and favorable reserve development, offering tangible evidence that margins are beginning to recover. Premium revenues increased to $87.6 billion from $86.5 billion in the prior-year quarter, showing that UnitedHealth continues to maintain pricing discipline despite a competitive environment.
Medicare Advantage and Medicaid membership are declining, which is not ideal considering the importance of government-sponsored programs to the company’s scale. However, commercial fee-based membership increased 3.5% year over year in the first quarter, highlighting continued demand from employer-sponsored plans and helping offset some of the pressure elsewhere.
Wall Street has also remained constructive. Several analysts have raised price targets and upgraded ratings in recent times. Even after the stock’s rally, shares remain below the average analyst price target of $403.92, implying roughly 7.1% upside. At the same time, the wide target range of $287 to $492 shows that opinions remain sharply divided on the company’s risk profile.
Earnings Expectations Are Moving Higher
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 EPS is pegged at $18.29, indicating 11.9% year-over-year growth. The earnings estimate has seen three upward revisions over the past month against no downward movement. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $443.69 billion, implying a 0.9% decline from a year ago.
For 2027, EPS is projected to grow to $20.73, marking a 13.4% improvement. It has seen four upward estimate revisions in the past month, against no downward movements. Revenues are pegged at $454.93 billion, indicating 2.5% growth from a year ago.
Over the past four quarters, the company beat estimates three times and missed once, with an average earnings surprise of 0.8%.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Valuation Not Cheap
The rally has pushed valuation above historical levels. UnitedHealth currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 20.51X. That sits above its five-year median multiple of 19.20X and comfortably above the industry average of 16.64X, suggesting investors are already pricing in a meaningful recovery. For comparison, Elevance trades at 14.77X forward earnings, while Humana trades at 30.34X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Risks Haven’t Disappeared
Despite the improving outlook, investors still face several important risks.
Regulatory scrutiny remains the largest overhang. The Department of Justice continues to investigate UnitedHealth’s Medicare billing practices, including Medicare Advantage diagnosis coding. Authorities are also reviewing physician reimbursement practices and certain operations within Optum Rx’s pharmacy benefit management business. These investigations could eventually lead to penalties, operational changes or higher compliance costs.
On the other hand, the company is attempting to reshape the PBM model through a transparent, fee-based pharmacy care approach that moves away from pricing tied to drug list prices and prescription volume. If successful, the initiative could become a meaningful competitive advantage.
Questions surrounding the 2024 Change Healthcare cyberattack have not fully faded either, particularly regarding the handling of emergency financial assistance provided to organizations affected by the disruption.
Another headline that drew attention was Berkshire Hathaway’s decision to exit its position. Under new CEO Greg Abel, Berkshire reported no UnitedHealth holdings as of March 31, 2026. The move surprised some investors because Berkshire had disclosed ownership of more than 5 million shares less than a year earlier. Still, many market participants viewed the sale as portfolio rebalancing rather than a direct judgment on UnitedHealth’s long-term prospects.
While management continues to expect overall medical membership to decline in 2026, previously forecasting a range of 46.945 million to 47.495 million members compared with nearly 49.760 million in 2025, growth in commercial membership should help offset part of that decline. But the transition bears watching.
The Long-Term Story Still Matters
UnitedHealth's scale, diversified business model and extensive healthcare data capabilities create advantages that few competitors can replicate. The company also continues to benefit from powerful industry tailwinds, including an aging population, rising rates of chronic disease and growing healthcare demand.
Shareholder returns add another layer of support. UnitedHealth returned more than $13 billion through dividends and share repurchases during 2025. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, it paid roughly $2 billion in dividends and plans to repurchase at least $2 billion of stock by the end of the second quarter. As of March 31, 2026, authorization remained to buy back up to 19.3 million shares. The company also recently increased its quarterly dividend by 5%, raising the payout from $2.21 per share to $2.32.
Conclusion
UnitedHealth's turnaround efforts are beginning to show results, with improving medical cost trends and rising earnings expectations supporting investor confidence. Continued shareholder returns point to a business that is moving in the right direction. The company’s unmatched scale, diversified healthcare platform and long-term exposure to favorable industry trends remain key strengths.
However, the stock's recovery has already pushed valuation above historical levels, leaving less room for error. At the same time, ongoing DoJ investigations, membership declines in government programs, and lingering fallout from the cyberattack continue to create uncertainty. As such, investors may want to wait for additional evidence of sustained margin improvement and membership stabilization before committing. UnitedHealth currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

UnitedHealth Stock Jumps 20% YTD: Should Investors Jump in Too?

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) on Thursday closed up +0.41%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +1.73%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed down -0.53%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26) rose +0.36%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQM26) fell -0.47%.
Stock indexes settled mixed on Thursday, with the Dow Jones industrials posting a new all-time high. The overall market shook off early weakness on Thursday and pushed higher as a -3% plunge in crude oil prices knocked T-note yields lower, with the 10-year T-note yield falling -2 bp to 4.47%. Also, the rally in bank stocks and managed healthcare companies lifted the broader market, pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a new record high.
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The weakness in technology stocks on Thursday weighed on the broader market, keeping the Nasdaq 100 in negative territory. Broadcom fell more than -12% to lead chipmakers lower after its forecast for artificial-intelligence revenue in the current quarter fell short of expectations. Also, CrowdStrike Holdings closed down more than -3% to lead cybersecurity stocks lower, despite reporting better-than-expected Q1 earnings, as the report wasn’t strong enough to lift the stock, which has more than doubled from a March low.
Weaker crude oil prices are a positive factor for stocks and bonds, as WTI crude oil fell more than -3% on Thursday after the US late Wednesday said Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire if Hezbollah also stops fighting and withdraws militants from areas near the border with Israel. Iran insists a peace deal with the US requires a ceasefire in Lebanon. The agreement would require the Lebanese army to take over after the withdrawal of Israeli troops. However, Hezbollah militants said they refused to abide by the conditions of the ceasefire announced by the US State Department, and clashes continued in southern Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that “Communications between Iran and the US have not been cut off, but no tangible progress has been achieved in the negotiating process.”
Thursday’s US economic news was mixed for stocks after weekly jobless claims rose more than expected to a 3.75-month high and Q1 nonfarm productivity was revised lower. Conversely, Q1 unit labor costs were unexpectedly revised lower, easing concerns over wage pressures.
US weekly initial unemployment claims rose +13,000 to a 3.75-month high of 225,000, showing a weaker labor market than expectations of 215,000.
US Q1 nonfarm productivity was revised downward to 0.3% from the previously reported 0.8%, weaker than expectations of 0.4%. Q1 unit labor costs were unexpectedly revised downward to 1.8% from 2.3%, weaker than expectations of an upward revision to 2.4%.
The markets are discounting a 2% chance of a +25 bp rate hike at the next FOMC meeting on June 16-17.
The generally favorable Q1 earnings season is winding down. As of Thursday, 83% of the 494 S&P 500 companies that reported Q1 earnings have beaten estimates. Q1 S&P 500 earnings are projected to climb +12% y/y, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Stripping out the technology sector, Q1 earnings are projected to increase around +3%, the weakest in two years.
Overseas stock markets settled mixed on Thursday. The Euro Stoxx 50 closed up +0.82%. China's Shanghai Composite closed down -0.64%. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed down -1.36%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU6) on Thursday closed up +4.5 ticks, and the 10-year T-note yield fell -2.4 bp to 4.471%. T-note prices moved higher on Thursday, supported by a -3% decline in WTI crude oil prices, which has lowered inflation expectations. The 10-year breakeven inflation rate fell to a 6-week low of 2.365% on Thursday. Fed-friendly US economic news was also positive for T-notes, following weekly jobless claims that rose more than expected and Q1 unit labor costs that were unexpectedly revised lower. T-notes fell back from their best level as stocks rebounded, dampening safe-haven demand for government debt securities.
European government bond yields moved lower on Thursday. The 10-year German Bund yield fell from a 1.5-week high of 3.043% and finished down -1.3 bp to 3.023%. The 10-year UK gilt yield fell -3.3 bp to 4.898%.
Eurozone Apr retail sales fell -0.4% m/m, weaker than expectations of -0.3% m/m.
Swaps are discounting a 98% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on June 11.
US Stock Movers
Humana (HUM) closed up more than +6% to lead managed healthcare stocks higher and gainers in the S&P 500 after Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $240 from $217. Also, Centene (CNC) closed up more than +5%, and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) closed up more than +5% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials after Bank of America Global Research upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $450. In addition, Elevance Health (ELV) and Molina Healthcare(MOH) closed up more than +4%, and Cigna Group (CI) and CVS Health (CVS) closed up more than +3%. Finally, Cardinal Health (CAH) closed up more than +2%.
Asset managers and bank stocks rallied on Thursday, lifting the broader market. Blackstone (BX) closed up more than +7% to lead gainers in the S&P 500, and Franklin Resources (BEN) closed up more than +5%. Also, Goldman Sachs (GS), Fifth Third Bank (FITB), and US Bancorp (USB) closed up more than +4%. In addition, JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Morgan Stanley (MS), Citigroup (C), Wells Fargo (WFC), Citizens Financial Group (CFG), M&T Bank (MTB), and BlackRock (BLK) closed up more than +3%.
Chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks retreated on Thursday, led by a -12% plunge in Broadcom (AVGO), the largest decliner in the Nasdaq 100, after giving an outlook that was seen as underwhelming, given the industry’s AI-related demand. Also, Micron Technology (MU) closed down more than -7%, and ARM Holdings Plc (ARM) closed down more than -4%. In addition, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Qualcomm (QCOM), Sandisk (SNDK), and Western Digital (WDC) closed down more than -3%, and Lam Research (LRCX) and Analog Devices (ADI) closed down more than -2%.
Medtronic Plc (MDT) closed up more than +5% after BTIG LLC upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $90.
RTX Corp (RTX) closed up +4% after Jeffries upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $220.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) closed up more than +3% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after entering into a strategic AI collaboration with Inceptive Nucleics valued at up to $2 billion to accelerate the discovery and design of RNAi therapeutics.
Brown-Forman (BF.B) closed up more than +2% after reporting Q4 gross margin of 62.6%, stronger than the consensus of 57.5%.
Zoetis (ZTS) closed up more than +2% after KeyBanc Capital Markets said the cattle screwworm parasite could be a potential catalyst for the company’s livestock portfolios, as it has approved medications to prevent and treat the parasite in livestock.
PVH Corp (PVH) closed down more than -20% after forecasting 2027 adjusted EPS of $11.80 to $12.10, weaker than the consensus of $12.24.
Ciena Corp (CIEN) closed down more than -13% to lead losers in the S&P 500 despite reporting better-than-expected Q2 earnings, as Bloomberg Intelligence said the company’s full-year sales outlook may be viewed as underwhelming amid heightened expectations.
Five Below (FIVE) closed down more than -13% despite reporting stronger-than-expected Q1 earnings results, as Jeffries said the company’s growth rate might be peaking.
CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) closed down more than -3% after its Q1 earnings beat wasn’t strong enough to lift the stock, which has more than doubled from a March low.
AT&T (T) closed down more than -3% and Verizon Communications (VZ) closed down more than -3% to lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrials after the US Supreme Court ruled that telecommunications companies can’t immediately demand a jury trial when hit with a Federal Communications Commission fine.
Earnings Reports(6/5/2026)
ABM Industries Inc (ABM), G-III Apparel Group Ltd (GIII), Lifezone Metals Ltd (LZM).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Rebound on Strength in Banks and Managed Healthcare

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.02%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +1.49%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.90%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26) are up +0.02%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQM26) are down -0.86%.
Stock indexes are mixed today, with the Dow Jones industrials posting a new all-time high. The broader market is under pressure today amid weakness in technology stocks. Broadcom is down more than -14% to lead chipmakers lower after its forecast for artificial-intelligence revenue in the current quarter fell short of expectations. Also, CrowdStrike Holdings is down more than -8% to lead cybersecurity stocks lower, despite reporting better-than-expected Q1 earnings, as the report wasn’t strong enough to lift the stock, which has more than doubled from a March low. However, the strength in managed healthcare stocks today is limiting overall market losses and helping push the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a new record high.
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Weaker crude oil prices are a positive factor for stocks and bonds, with WTI crude oil down more than -3% today after the US late Wednesday said Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire if Hezbollah also stops fighting and withdraws militants from areas near the border with Israel. The agreement would require the Lebanese army to take over after the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Iran insists a deal with the US requires a ceasefire in Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that “Communications between Iran and the US have not been cut off, but no tangible progress has been achieved in the negotiating process.”
Today’s US economic news was mixed for stocks after weekly jobless claims rose more than expected to a 3.75-month high and Q1 nonfarm productivity was revised lower. Conversely, Q1 unit labor costs were unexpectedly revised lower, easing concerns over wage pressures.
US weekly initial unemployment claims rose +13,000 to a 3.75-month high of 225,000, showing a weaker labor market than expectations of 215,000.
US Q1 nonfarm productivity was revised downward to 0.3% from the previously reported 0.8%, weaker than expectations of 0.4%. Q1 unit labor costs were unexpectedly revised downward to 1.8% from 2.3%, weaker than expectations of an upward revision to 2.4%.
The markets are discounting a 2% chance of a +25 bp rate hike at the next FOMC meeting on June 16-17.
The generally favorable Q1 earnings season is winding down. As of today, 84% of the 485 S&P 500 companies that reported Q1 earnings have beaten estimates. Q1 S&P 500 earnings are projected to climb +12% y/y, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Stripping out the technology sector, Q1 earnings are projected to increase around +3%, the weakest in two years.
Overseas stock markets are mixed today. The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +0.51%. China's Shanghai Composite closed down -0.64%. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed down -1.36%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU6) today are up +8 ticks, and the 10-year T-note yield is down -3.6 bp to 4.459%. T-note prices are moving higher today, supported by a -2% decline in WTI crude oil prices, which has lowered inflation expectations. The 10-year breakeven inflation rate fell to a 6-week low of 2.366% today. Fed-friendly US economic news was also positive for T-notes, following weekly jobless claims that rose more than expected and Q1 unit labor costs that were unexpectedly revised lower.
European government bond yields are moving lower today. The 10-year German Bund yield fell from a 1.5-week high of 3.043% and is down -1.5 bp to 3.021%. The 10-year UK gilt yield is down -2.7 bp to 4.904%.
Eurozone Apr retail sales fell -0.4% m/m, weaker than expectations of -0.3% m/m.
Swaps are discounting a 98% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on June 11.
US Stock Movers
Chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks are slumping today, led by a -14% plunge in Broadcom (AVGO), the largest decliner in the Nasdaq 100, after giving an outlook that was seen as underwhelming, given the industry’s AI-related demand. Also, Micron Technology (MU) is down more than -8%, and ARM Holdings Plc (ARM) is down more than -5%. In addition, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Qualcomm (QCOM), Sandisk (SNDK), and Lam Research (LRCX) are down more than -3%. Finally, Western Digital (WDC), Seagate Technology Holdings Plc (STX), Analog Devices (ADI), KLA Corp (KLAC), and Intel (INTC) are down more than -2%.
Cryptocurrency-exposed stocks are falling today, with Bitcoin (^BTCUSD) down more than -1% at a 3.75-month low. Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY) is down more than -5%, MARA Holdings (MARA) is down more than -4%, and Riot Platforms (RIOT) is down more than -3%. Also, Coinbase Global (COIN) is down -0.28%.
Humana (HUM) is up more than +7% to lead managed healthcare stocks higher and gainers in the S&P 500 after Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $240 from $217. Also, Centene (CNC) is up more than +6%, and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is up more than +5% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials after Bank of America Global Research upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $450. In addition, Elevance Health (ELV), Cigna Group (CI), and Molina Healthcare(MOH) are up more than +4%, and CVS Health (CVS) and Cardinal Health (CAH) are up more than +2%.
PVH Corp (PVH) is down more than -24% after forecasting 2027 adjusted EPS of $11.80 to $12.10, weaker than the consensus of $12.24.
Ciena Corp (CIEN) is down more than -18% to lead losers in the S&P 500 despite reporting better-than-expected Q2 earnings, as Bloomberg Intelligence said the company’s full-year sales outlook may be viewed as underwhelming amid heightened expectations.
Five Below (FIVE) is down more than -13% despite reporting stronger-than-expected Q1 earnings results, as Jeffries said the company’s growth rate might be peaking.
CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) is down more than -7% after its Q1 earnings beat wasn’t strong enough to lift the stock, which has more than doubled from a March low.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) is up more than +5% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after entering into a strategic AI collaboration with Inceptive Nucleics valued at up to $2 billion to accelerate the discovery and design of RNAi therapeutics.
Medtronic Plc (MDT) is up more than +4% after BTIG LLC upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $90.
Zoetis (ZTS) is up more than +4% after KeyBanc Capital Markets said the cattle screwworm parasite could be a potential catalyst for the company’s livestock portfolios, as it has approved medications to prevent and treat the parasite in livestock.
RTX Corp (RTX) is up more than +3% after Jeffries upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $220.
Brown-Forman (BF.B) is up more than +1% after reporting Q4 gross margin of 62.6%, stronger than the consensus of 57.5%.
Earnings Reports(6/4/2026)
Brown-Forman Corp (BF/B), Ciena Corp (CIEN), Cooper Cos Inc/The (COO), Docusign Inc (DOCU), Guidewire Software Inc (GWRE), Lululemon Athletica Inc (LULU), Rubrik Inc (RBRK), Samsara Inc (IOT), Toro Co/The (TTC).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
More news from Barchart
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stocks Mixed as Tech Weakness Weighs

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH recently announced an increase in its dividend payout, with its board approving a 5% hike in the quarterly cash dividend, raising it from $2.21 per share to $2.32. The dividend will be paid out on June 23, 2026, to its shareholders of record as of June 17. However, this marks the lowest hike in this decade, for obvious reasons.
Nevertheless, its dividend yield, based on the latest payout and the June 3, 2026, closing price, is 2.46%. The figure is higher than the industry average of 2.05%, the medical sector’s 1.59%, as well as the S&P 500’s level of 1%. UnitedHealth’s dividend history shows continuous hikes per annum since 2010.
UNH's robust balance sheet, along with steady cash flow from operations over the years, underpins its initiatives to enhance shareholder value. At the end of the first quarter of 2026, the company's total debt-to-total capital ratio was 40.75%, which is better than the industry's average of 42.86%.
In the first quarter of 2026, cash flows from operations were $8.9 billion, which grew 63.3% year over year. This growth highlights the strength of its profitable operations.
UNH rewarded more than $13 billion to its shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends during 2025. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, it paid dividends worth $2 billion. The company plans to repurchase at least $2 billion of common stock by the end of the second quarter of 2026. As of March 31, 2026, it had buyback authorization of up to 19.3 million shares left.
Peers Boosting Shareholder Value Too
UnitedHealth’s peers, including Humana Inc. HUM and Elevance Health, Inc. ELV, are also taking measures to increase shareholder value.
Humana bought back shares worth $151 million in 2025 and $107 million in the first quarter of 2026. It had a leftover share repurchase capacity of $2.7 billion as of April 28, 2026. It also paid a dividend of $107 million in the first quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, Elevance Health bought back shares worth $2.6 billion in 2025 and $1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026. ELV has around $5.6 billion remaining under its share buyback authorization as of March 31, 2026. It also paid dividends worth $376 million in the last reported quarter.
UnitedHealth’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of UNH have gained 14.2% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s growth of 13.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, UnitedHealth trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.51, up from the industry average of 16.64. UNH carries a Value Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $18.29 per share, implying an 11.9% improvement from the year-ago period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

UnitedHealth Prescribes Another Dividend Increase: Just a Lighter Dose

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.16%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +1.41%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -1.23%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26) are down -0.14%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQM26) are down -1.16%.
Stock indexes are mixed today, with the Dow Jones industrials posting a new all-time high. The broader market is under pressure today amid weakness in technology stocks. Broadcom is down more than -15% to lead chipmakers lower after its forecast for artificial-intelligence revenue in the current quarter fell short of expectations. Also, CrowdStrike Holdings is down more than 6% to lead cybersecurity stocks lower, despite reporting better-than-expected Q1 earnings, as the report wasn’t strong enough to lift the stock, which has more than doubled from a March low. Strength in managed healthcare stocks today is helping push the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a record high.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
Weaker crude oil prices are a positive factor for stocks and bonds, with WTI crude oil down more than -3% today after the US late Wednesday said Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire if Hezbollah also stops fighting and withdraws militants from areas near the border with Israel. The agreement would require the Lebanese army to take over after the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Iran insists a deal with the US requires a ceasefire in Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that “Communications between Iran and the US have not been cut off, but no tangible progress has been achieved in the negotiating process.”
Today’s US economic news was mixed for stocks after weekly jobless claims rose more than expected to a 3.75-month high and Q1 nonfarm productivity was revised lower. Conversely, Q1 unit labor costs were unexpectedly revised lower, easing concerns over wage pressures.
US weekly initial unemployment claims rose +13,000 to a 3.75-month high of 225,000, showing a weaker labor market than expectations of 215,000.
US Q1 nonfarm productivity was revised downward to 0.3% from the previously reported 0.8%, weaker than expectations of 0.4%. Q1 unit labor costs were unexpectedly revised downward to 1.8% from 2.3%, weaker than expectations of an upward revision to 2.4%.
The markets are discounting a 2% chance of a +25 bp rate hike at the next FOMC meeting on June 16-17.
The generally favorable Q1 earnings season is winding down. As of today, 84% of the 485 S&P 500 companies that reported Q1 earnings have beaten estimates. Q1 S&P 500 earnings are projected to climb +12% y/y, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Stripping out the technology sector, Q1 earnings are projected to increase around +3%, the weakest in two years.
Overseas stock markets are mixed today. The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +0.51%. China's Shanghai Composite closed down -0.64%. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average closed down -1.36%.
Interest Rates
September 10-year T-notes (ZNU6) today are up +8 ticks, and the 10-year T-note yield is down -3.6 bp to 4.459%. T-note prices are moving higher today, supported by a -2% decline in WTI crude oil prices, which has lowered inflation expectations. The 10-year breakeven inflation rate fell to a 6-week low of 2.366% today. Fed-friendly US economic news was also positive for T-notes, following weekly jobless claims that rose more than expected and Q1 unit labor costs that were unexpectedly revised lower.
European government bond yields are moving lower today. The 10-year German Bund yield fell from a 1.5-week high of 3.043% and is down -1.5 bp to 3.021%. The 10-year UK gilt yield is down -2.7 bp to 4.904%.
Eurozone Apr retail sales fell -0.4% m/m, weaker than expectations of -0.3% m/m.
Swaps are discounting a 98% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on June 11.
US Stock Movers
Chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks are slumping today, led by a -15% plunge in Broadcom (AVGO), the largest decliner in the Nasdaq 100, after giving an outlook that was seen as underwhelming, given the industry’s AI-related demand. Also, Micron Technology (MU), ARM Holdings Plc (ARM), and Marvell Technology (MRVL) are down more than -5%, and Applied Materials (AMAT) and Lam Research (LRCX) are down more than -3%. In addition, KLA Corp (KLAC), Intel (INTC), Qualcomm (QCOM), Analog Devices (ADI), and ASML Holding NV (ASML) are down more than -2%.
Cybersecurity stocks are retreating for a second day today, led by an -8% decline in CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) after its Q1 earnings beat wasn’t strong enough to lift the stock that has more than doubled from a March low. Also, Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and Cloudflare (NET) are down more than -2%, and Okta (OKTA) is down -0.83%.
Cryptocurrency-exposed stocks are falling today, with Bitcoin (^BTCUSD) down more than -1% at a 3.75-month low. Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY) is down more than -4%, and MARA Holdings (MARA) and Riot Platforms (RIOT) are down more than -3%. Also, Coinbase Global (COIN) is down -0.44%.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is up more than +6% to health insurance stocks higher and lead gainers in the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrials after Bank of America Global Research upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $450. Also, Humana (HUM) is up more than +5%, and Centene (CNC) and Elevance Health (ELV) are up more than +4%. In addition, Cigna Group (CI) and CVS Health (CVS) are up more than +3%, and Cardinal Health (CAH) is up more than +2%.
PVH Corp (PVH) is down more than -27% after forecasting 2027 adjusted EPS of $11.80 to $12.10, weaker than the consensus of $12.24.
Ciena Corp (CIEN) is down more than -19% to lead losers in the S&P 500 despite reporting better-than-expected Q2 earnings, as Bloomberg Intelligence said the company’s full-year sales outlook may be viewed as underwhelming amid heightened expectations.
Five Below (FIVE) is down more than -10% despite reporting stronger-than-expected Q1 earnings results, as Jeffries said the company’s growth rate might be peaking.
Brown-Forman (BF.B) is up more than +4% after reporting Q4 gross margin of 62.6%, stronger than the consensus of 57.5%.
Medtronic Plc (MDT) is up more than +4% after BTIG LLC upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $90.
RTX Corp (RTX) is up more than +3% after Jeffries upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $220.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) is up more than +2% after entering into a strategic AI collaboration with Inceptive Nucleics valued at up to $2 billion to accelerate the discovery and design of RNAi therapeutics.
Earnings Reports(6/4/2026)
Brown-Forman Corp (BF/B), Ciena Corp (CIEN), Cooper Cos Inc/The (COO), Docusign Inc (DOCU), Guidewire Software Inc (GWRE), Lululemon Athletica Inc (LULU), Rubrik Inc (RBRK), Samsara Inc (IOT), Toro Co/The (TTC).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
More news from Barchart
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Weakness in Technology Stocks Pressures Stock Indexes

For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – June 4, 2026 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH, The Cigna Group CI, Humana Inc. HUM, Centene Corp. CNC and Molina Healthcare, Inc. MOH.
Industry: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2931379/5-hmo-stocks-in-focus-amid-an-aging-us-population-tech-innovation
The U.S. health insurance industry, commonly referred to as the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), benefits from a set of diversified, cost-effective plans that generate steady premium income and secure contract renewals. However, regulatory changes could tighten Medicaid eligibility and reduce ACA enrollment, affecting membership and reimbursements.
Demand for Medicare products should remain strong as the U.S. population ages, supporting enrollment and premium growth. Investments in telehealth, AI, cloud computing and data analytics are improving efficiency, patient engagement and long-term revenue prospects despite increasing near-term costs. HMOs are also pursuing strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to expand market presence and diversify operations. Industry leaders such as UnitedHealth Group Inc., The Cigna Group, Humana Inc., Centene Corp. and Molina Healthcare, Inc. are well-positioned to capitalize on these favorable growth dynamics.
About the Industry
The Zacks HMO industry consists of entities (either private or public) that take care of subscribers’ basic and supplemental health services. Players in this space primarily assume risks and assign health and medical insurance policy premiums. Industry participants also provide administrative and managed-care services for self-funded insurance.
Services are generally offered via a network of approved care providers (called in-network), which include primary care physicians, clinical facilities, hospitals and specialists. However, out-of-network exceptions are made during emergencies or when medically necessary. Health insurance plans can be availed through private purchases, social insurance or social welfare programs.
4 Trends Shaping the Future of the HMO Industry
Diversified Offerings Support Enrolment Stability: Health insurers continue to strengthen their membership base by offering diversified, cost-effective plans with enhanced benefits. These offerings support steady enrollment growth, generate consistent premium income and often lead to contract wins and renewals from federal and state agencies. However, gains from diversified products are expected to only partly offset the expected Medicaid membership declines resulting from growing regulatory challenges following the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The legislation introduced stricter Medicaid eligibility checks, work requirements and reduced federal funding. These measures, coupled with the absence of ACA subsidy extensions, are likely to reduce enrollment and pressure margins, prompting insurers to focus more on higher-margin commercial plans, while anticipated Medicare Advantage reimbursement rate increases in 2026 may provide some support.
An Aging U.S. Population: Medicare plans are specifically designed to meet the healthcare needs of individuals aged 65 and older, and an aging U.S. population is expected to drive sustained demand for these products. As the baby boomer generation enters retirement and life expectancy continues to increase, health insurers are well-positioned to benefit and generate higher premium revenues.
To effectively serve this demographic, insurers maintain broad networks of healthcare providers, including physicians, hospitals, pharmacies and ancillary care organizations, while some also operate dedicated senior-focused care centers that deliver personalized, high-quality services tailored to the unique medical and wellness needs of older adults.
Digital Transformation and Technological Innovation: The HMO industry continues to strengthen its investment in virtual healthcare solutions, or telehealth services, as digital transformation reshapes the healthcare landscape. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots, voice assistants, mobile health applications, robotics, cloud computing and advanced data analytics are revolutionizing the way healthcare services are delivered, allowing patients to receive timely care from the comfort of their homes.
This shift not only eases the strain on the U.S. healthcare system by reducing hospital visits and admissions but also enhances patient experience and care accessibility. While the adoption of advanced technologies may initially increase costs for health insurers, the resulting gains are expected to support stronger and more sustainable revenue growth over the long term.
Strategic Expansion Via Mergers and Acquisitions: In addition to embracing technological advancements, HMOs frequently engage in M&A to expand their capabilities, penetrate new markets, strengthen their foothold in existing regions, grow their membership base and enhance their nationwide reach. These strategic transactions also promote business diversification, enabling companies to maintain a competitive edge within the industry. Following the Federal Reserve's three interest rate cuts in 2025, borrowing conditions have become more favorable. Lower financing costs are expected to encourage greater M&A activity.
Zacks Industry Rank Instills Optimism
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. The Zacks Medical-HMOs industry, which is housed within the broader Zacks Medical sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #27, which places it in the top 11% of 246 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.
The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to buy or retain in your portfolio, let’s look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Underperforms S&P 500, Outperforms Sector
The Zacks Medical-HMO industry has gained 17.3% in the past year compared with the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s 31.3% growth. The Zacks Medical sector rallied 2.8% in the same time frame.
Industry's Current Valuation
Based on the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which is commonly used for valuing medical stocks, the industry trades at 16.66X compared with the S&P 500’s 22.17X and the sector’s 19.33X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 19.57X and as low as 11.58X, with the median being at 16.14X.
5 Stocks to Keep a Close Eye On
We present five stocks from the space, either carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) or #3 (Hold). Considering the current industry scenario, it might be prudent for investors to buy or retain these stocks in their portfolio, as these are well-placed to generate growth in the long haul.
Centene: Based in Missouri, Centene continues to benefit from strong momentum in its Medicare and Medicaid businesses, supported by numerous contract awards and steady membership expansion. The growing aging population in the United States remains a key driver of demand for Medicare Advantage plans, reinforcing the strength of Centene’s Medicare segment. This Zacks Rank #1 company also pursues strategic growth through acquisitions and provider partnerships. Management projects premium and service revenues within $171-$175 billion for 2026.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Centene’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.47 per share, which indicates a 66.8% rise from the year-ago figure. CNC’s earnings outpaced estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed the mark once, the average being 74.90%.
Molina Healthcare: This California-based health insurer develops affordable Medicare and Medicaid plans, enriched with extensive benefits, which have consistently led to contract wins. These contracts have contributed to a steadily growing customer base for the Zacks Rank #2 company. Management expects the 2026 premium revenue outlook to be approximately $42 billion. The company continues to strengthen its market position through acquisitions, including ConnectiCare in 2025.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Molina Healthcare’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $5.23 per share. The consensus mark for MOH’s 2026 earnings has moved 0.4% north over the past 30 days. MOH’s earnings beat estimates in one of the last four quarters and missed the mark thrice.
UnitedHealth Group: Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group continues to deliver solid revenue growth, driven by the strong performance of its UnitedHealthcare and Optum segments. UnitedHealthcare benefits from enhanced Medicare and Medicaid offerings that combine affordability with attractive benefits. Optum remains a key growth engine, leveraging strategic acquisitions, advanced technology and data-driven healthcare solutions to enhance care delivery and operational efficiency. Additionally, continued focus on mergers and acquisitions, coupled with expanding telehealth capabilities, strengthens the nationwide footprint of this Zacks Rank #3 company.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $18.29 per share, which implies 11.9% growth from the year-ago figure. UNH’s earnings beat estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed the mark once, the average surprise being 0.84%.
Cigna: Based in Connecticut, the company continues to demonstrate strong growth, supported by the robust performance of its two key business segments—Evernorth and Cigna Healthcare. Evernorth benefits from its comprehensive portfolio of specialty pharmacy services, while Cigna Healthcare leverages its broad customer base across both the U.S. Government and U.S. Commercial markets. This Zacks Rank #3 company further enhances its market position and growth prospects through strategic acquisitions and partnerships with leading healthcare organizations, while continuously expanding its product offerings.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cigna’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $30.38 per share, indicating 1.8% growth from the prior-year figure. CI’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average surprise being 1.86%.
Humana: Headquartered in Kentucky, Humana has delivered steady growth, driven by increasing premium income and a strong membership base across its Medicare and Medicaid segments. The strong execution of these programs has enabled this Zacks Rank #3 company to win new contracts and successfully renew existing agreements with federal and state government agencies.
Through its CenterWell platform, Humana continues to focus on meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the nation’s growing senior population. Additionally, strategic acquisitions such as Family Physicians Group, iCare and Inclusa have strengthened the company’s business diversification efforts and expanded its geographic reach.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Humana’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $9.01 per share. The consensus mark for 2025 revenues implies 25.3% growth from the year-ago actual. HUM’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed the mark once, the average surprise being 3.80%.
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Media Contact
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800-767-3771 ext. 9339
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
See Stocks Now >>
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights UnitedHealth, The Cigna, Humana, Centene and Molina

The U.S. health insurance industry, commonly referred to as the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), benefits from a set of diversified, cost-effective plans that generate steady premium income and secure contract renewals. However, regulatory changes could tighten Medicaid eligibility and reduce ACA enrollment, affecting membership and reimbursements. Demand for Medicare products should remain strong as the U.S. population ages, supporting enrollment and premium growth. Investments in telehealth, AI, cloud computing and data analytics are improving efficiency, patient engagement and long-term revenue prospects despite increasing near-term costs. HMOs are also pursuing strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to expand market presence and diversify operations. Industry leaders such as UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH, The Cigna Group CI, Humana Inc. HUM, Centene Corporation CNC and Molina Healthcare, Inc. MOH are well-positioned to capitalize on these favorable growth dynamics.
About the Industry
The Zacks HMO industry consists of entities (either private or public) that take care of subscribers’ basic and supplemental health services. Players in this space primarily assume risks and assign health and medical insurance policy premiums. Industry participants also provide administrative and managed-care services for self-funded insurance. Services are generally offered via a network of approved care providers (called in-network), which include primary care physicians, clinical facilities, hospitals and specialists. However, out-of-network exceptions are made during emergencies or when medically necessary. Health insurance plans can be availed through private purchases, social insurance or social welfare programs.
4 Trends Shaping the Future of the HMO Industry
Diversified Offerings Support Enrolment Stability: Health insurers continue to strengthen their membership base by offering diversified, cost-effective plans with enhanced benefits. These offerings support steady enrollment growth, generate consistent premium income and often lead to contract wins and renewals from federal and state agencies. However, gains from diversified products are expected to only partly offset the expected Medicaid membership declines resulting from growing regulatory challenges following the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation introduced stricter Medicaid eligibility checks, work requirements and reduced federal funding. These measures, coupled with the absence of ACA subsidy extensions, are likely to reduce enrollment and pressure margins, prompting insurers to focus more on higher-margin commercial plans, while anticipated Medicare Advantage reimbursement rate increases in 2026 may provide some support.
An Aging U.S. Population: Medicare plans are specifically designed to meet the healthcare needs of individuals aged 65 and older, and an aging U.S. population is expected to drive sustained demand for these products. As the baby boomer generation enters retirement and life expectancy continues to increase, health insurers are well-positioned to benefit and generate higher premium revenues. To effectively serve this demographic, insurers maintain broad networks of healthcare providers, including physicians, hospitals, pharmacies and ancillary care organizations, while some also operate dedicated senior-focused care centers that deliver personalized, high-quality services tailored to the unique medical and wellness needs of older adults.
Digital Transformation and Technological Innovation: The HMO industry continues to strengthen its investment in virtual healthcare solutions, or telehealth services, as digital transformation reshapes the healthcare landscape. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots, voice assistants, mobile health applications, robotics, cloud computing and advanced data analytics are revolutionizing the way healthcare services are delivered, allowing patients to receive timely care from the comfort of their homes. This shift not only eases the strain on the U.S. healthcare system by reducing hospital visits and admissions but also enhances patient experience and care accessibility. While the adoption of advanced technologies may initially increase costs for health insurers, the resulting gains are expected to support stronger and more sustainable revenue growth over the long term.
Strategic Expansion Via Mergers and Acquisitions: In addition to embracing technological advancements, HMOs frequently engage in M&A to expand their capabilities, penetrate new markets, strengthen their foothold in existing regions, grow their membership base and enhance their nationwide reach. These strategic transactions also promote business diversification, enabling companies to maintain a competitive edge within the industry. Following the Federal Reserve's three interest rate cuts in 2025, borrowing conditions have become more favorable. Lower financing costs are expected to encourage greater M&A activity.
Zacks Industry Rank Instills Optimism
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. The Zacks Medical-HMOs industry, which is housed within the broader Zacks Medical sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #27, which places it in the top 11% of 246 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.
The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate.
Before we present a few stocks that you may want to buy or retain in your portfolio, let’s look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Underperforms S&P 500, Outperforms Sector
The Zacks Medical-HMO industry has gained 17.3% in the past year compared with the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s 31.3% growth. The Zacks Medical sector rallied 2.8% in the same time frame.
One-Year Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Industry's Current Valuation
Based on the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which is commonly used for valuing medical stocks, the industry trades at 16.66X compared with the S&P 500’s 22.17X and the sector’s 19.33X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 19.57X and as low as 11.58X, with the median being at 16.14X, as the chart below shows.
Forward 12-Month Price/Earnings (P/E) Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
5 Stocks to Keep a Close Eye On
We present five stocks from the space, either carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) or #3 (Hold). Considering the current industry scenario, it might be prudent for investors to buy or retain these stocks in their portfolio, as these are well-placed to generate growth in the long haul.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Centene: Based in Missouri, Centene continues to benefit from strong momentum in its Medicare and Medicaid businesses, supported by numerous contract awards and steady membership expansion. The growing aging population in the United States remains a key driver of demand for Medicare Advantage plans, reinforcing the strength of Centene’s Medicare segment. This Zacks Rank #1 company also pursues strategic growth through acquisitions and provider partnerships. Management projects premium and service revenues within $171-$175 billion for 2026.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Centene’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.47 per share, which indicates a 66.8% rise from the year-ago figure. CNC’s earnings outpaced estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed the mark once, the average being 74.90%.
Price & Consensus: CNC
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Molina Healthcare: This California-based health insurer develops affordable Medicare and Medicaid plans, enriched with extensive benefits, which have consistently led to contract wins. These contracts have contributed to a steadily growing customer base for the Zacks Rank #2 company. Management expects the 2026 premium revenue outlook to be approximately $42 billion. The company continues to strengthen its market position through acquisitions, including ConnectiCare in 2025.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Molina Healthcare’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $5.23 per share. The consensus mark for MOH’s 2026 earnings has moved 0.4% north over the past 30 days. MOH’s earnings beat estimates in one of the last four quarters and missed the mark thrice.
Price & Consensus: MOH
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
UnitedHealth Group: Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group continues to deliver solid revenue growth, driven by the strong performance of its UnitedHealthcare and Optum segments. UnitedHealthcare benefits from enhanced Medicare and Medicaid offerings that combine affordability with attractive benefits. Optum remains a key growth engine, leveraging strategic acquisitions, advanced technology and data-driven healthcare solutions to enhance care delivery and operational efficiency. Additionally, continued focus on mergers and acquisitions, coupled with expanding telehealth capabilities, strengthens the nationwide footprint of this Zacks Rank #3 company.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $18.29 per share, which implies 11.9% growth from the year-ago figure. UNH’s earnings beat estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed the mark once, the average surprise being 0.84%.
Price & Consensus: UNH
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Cigna: Based in Connecticut, the company continues to demonstrate strong growth, supported by the robust performance of its two key business segments—Evernorth and Cigna Healthcare. Evernorth benefits from its comprehensive portfolio of specialty pharmacy services, while Cigna Healthcare leverages its broad customer base across both the U.S. Government and U.S. Commercial markets. This Zacks Rank #3 company further enhances its market position and growth prospects through strategic acquisitions and partnerships with leading healthcare organizations, while continuously expanding its product offerings.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cigna’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $30.38 per share, indicating 1.8% growth from the prior-year figure. CI’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average surprise being 1.86%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Humana: Headquartered in Kentucky, Humana has delivered steady growth, driven by increasing premium income and a strong membership base across its Medicare and Medicaid segments. The strong execution of these programs has enabled this Zacks Rank #3 company to win new contracts and successfully renew existing agreements with federal and state government agencies. Through its CenterWell platform, Humana continues to focus on meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the nation’s growing senior population. Additionally, strategic acquisitions such as Family Physicians Group, iCare and Inclusa have strengthened the company’s business diversification efforts and expanded its geographic reach.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Humana’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $9.01 per share. The consensus mark for 2025 revenues implies 25.3% growth from the year-ago actual. HUM’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed the mark once, the average surprise being 3.80%.
Price & Consensus: HUM
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
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