ADVFN Logo ADVFN

We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.

Trending Now

Toplists

It looks like you aren't logged in.
Click the button below to log in and view your recent history.

Hot Features

Registration Strip Icon for default Register for Free to get streaming real-time quotes, interactive charts, live options flow, and more.
258.07
6.63
(2.64%)
Closed October 13 4:00PM
258.23
0.16
(0.06%)
After Hours: 7:54PM

Real-time discussions and trading ideas: Trade with confidence with our powerful platform.

Key stats and details

Current Price
258.23
Bid
-
Ask
-
Volume
4,020,152
246.7273 Day's Range 260.48
214.66 52 Week Range 530.5399
Market Cap
Previous Close
251.44
Open
246.95
Last Trade
20
@
257.96
Last Trade Time
Financial Volume
$ 1,024,119,491
VWAP
254.7465
Average Volume (3m)
1,818,473
Shares Outstanding
120,401,661
Dividend Yield
1.37%
PE Ratio
12.48
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
20.67
Revenue
106.37B
Net Profit
2.49B

About Humana Inc

Humana is one of the largest private health insurers in the U.S. with a focus on administering Medicare Advantage plans. The firm has built a niche specializing in government-sponsored programs, with nearly all its medical membership stemming from individual and group Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, a... Humana is one of the largest private health insurers in the U.S. with a focus on administering Medicare Advantage plans. The firm has built a niche specializing in government-sponsored programs, with nearly all its medical membership stemming from individual and group Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and the military's Tricare program. The firm is also a leader in stand-alone prescription drug plans for seniors enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. Humana offers employer-based plans primarily for small businesses along with specialty insurance offerings such as dental, vision, and life. Beyond medical insurance, the company provides other healthcare services, including primary-care services, at-home services, and pharmacy benefit management. Show more

Sector
Hospital & Medical Svc Plans
Industry
Hospital & Medical Svc Plans
Website
Headquarters
Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Founded
-
Humana Inc is listed in the Hospital & Medical Svc Plans sector of the New York Stock Exchange with ticker HUM. The last closing price for Humana was $251.44. Over the last year, Humana shares have traded in a share price range of $ 214.66 to $ 530.5399.

Humana currently has 120,401,661 shares outstanding. The market capitalization of Humana is $30.27 billion. Humana has a price to earnings ratio (PE ratio) of 12.48.

Humana (HUM) Options Flow Summary

Overall Flow

Bearish

Net Premium

-71M

Calls / Puts

76.25%

Buys / Sells

89.71%

OTM / ITM

46.88%

Sweeps Ratio

0.35%

HUM Latest News

Humana Foundation Contributes Additional $500,000 to Support Disaster Recovery in Florida in the Aftermath of Hurricane Milton

With Miltonโ€™s devastation and the fallout from Helene, the Humana Foundation will donate a total of $1.5M to support long-term support and restoration Humana will continue supporting its members...

Humana Ranks #1 Among Health Insurers for Customer Experience for the 4th Year in a Row

For the fourth consecutive year, Humana ranks No. 1 among health insurers for customer experience (CX) by Forrester.* Humana received the highest CX Indexโ„ข score among Health Insurers in...

Humana Foundation Donates $1 Million to Support Disaster Recovery in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

Humana is also supporting its members across the affected areas by providing simplified access to medical and emergency prescription information, as well as opening a crisis hotline with free...

Humanaโ€™s 2025 Medicare Advantage Plans Focus on Quality, Affordable Healthcare Tailored to the Needs of Consumers

Humana plans include benefits members say they value most and offer options for a variety of budgets and lifestyles Leading health and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) today announced...

Humana Inc. to Release Third Quarter 2024 Results on October 30, 2024

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) will release its financial results for the third quarter 2024 (3Q24), as well as prepared management remarks (in PDF format), on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 6:30 a.m...

PeriodChangeChange %OpenHighLowAvg. Daily VolVWAP
116.536.83905668184241.7258.23230.492797183242.55651548CS
4-63.9375-19.8460428193322.1675324.38214.663170640269.11013131CS
12-128.58-33.2411261343386.81406.09214.661818473306.32524302CS
26-62.55-19.4993453457320.78406.46214.661637036325.78922799CS
52-235.77-47.7267206478494530.5399214.661696481370.44797792CS
156-154.26-37.3972702369412.49571.3214.661255982424.54259463CS
260-6.25-2.3631276467264.48571.3208.251136213408.86350094CS

Movers

View all
  • Most Active
  • % Gainers
  • % Losers
SymbolPriceVol.
TCSContainer Store Group Inc
$ 16.775
(64.95%)
456.98k
WOLFWolfspeed Inc
$ 11.48
(20.84%)
20.39M
CURVTorrid Holdings Inc
$ 3.90
(16.07%)
873.1k
NRGVEnergy Vault Holdings Inc
$ 1.10
(15.78%)
1.44M
AMPXAmprius Technologies Inc
$ 1.33
(15.65%)
2.48M
SRFMSurf Air Mobility Inc
$ 2.01
(-38.53%)
2.67M
EBFEnnis Inc
$ 20.425
(-15.28%)
369.95k
TISITeam Inc
$ 21.45
(-14.71%)
71.58k
CCMConcord Medical Services Holdings Ltd
$ 6.49
(-9.61%)
419
CIACitizens Inc
$ 4.74
(-9.02%)
271.64k
PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc
$ 43.51
(-0.02%)
66.21M
UBERUber Technologies Inc
$ 86.34
(10.81%)
57.29M
BACBank of America Corporation
$ 41.95
(4.95%)
50.66M
NIONIO Inc
$ 6.245
(0.40%)
42.9M
ALTMArcadium Lithium plc
$ 5.56
(0.54%)
40.23M

HUM Discussion

View Posts
TruckingAngler TruckingAngler 2 weeks ago
Happy to be in HUM !
GLTA
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
Sanibel Island Sanibel Island 2 years ago
Millions about to loose Medicaid coverage as pandemic restrictions are lifted. Google it for your due deligence, most coverages are people of color and Hispanic . Will show up in 2 nd quarter numbers
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
Sanibel Island Sanibel Island 2 years ago
Millions about to loose Medicaid coverage as pandemic restrictions are lifted. Google it for your due deligence, most coverages are people of color and Hispanic . Will show up in 2 nd quarter numbers
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
Sanibel Island Sanibel Island 2 years ago
Barrons journalist 9-23-2022 @ 11:33 am reposts that Citi group and Oak Street project a $14 price for buyout of Cano Health, current price 1.33.
Humana had first right of refusal looks like Humana passed. Journalist was KARISHMA Vanjani with BARRONโ€™S.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
Sanibel Island Sanibel Island 2 years ago
Looks like Humana has passed on fort right of refusal to purchase Cano Health Care. CVS just announced buy Medavail MDVL, CVS states they are offering all employees jobs at CVS and retaining all prescription customers and placing all medicine inventory in local CVS stores. CVS stragically only bought assets in Cano Health Centers, this removes all Medavail Spot Rex locations out of Cano Health Centers and now CVS can close on the purchase of Cano Health after closing on Medavail first quarter. Check press release by CVS. Humana had first right of refusal.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ziggy7796 ziggy7796 3 years ago
Anticipating a bounce of 20%+ over the next 30 days...to offset one time hit from a couple of days ago!
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
FUNMAN FUNMAN 4 years ago
Humana Q4 2020 Earnings Preview

Feb. 02, 2021 1:04 PM ETHumana Inc. (HUM)By: Pranav Ghumatkar, SA News Editor

Humana (NYSE:HUM) is scheduled to announce Q4 earnings results on Wednesday, February 3rd, before market open.

The consensus EPS Estimate is -$2.32 and the consensus Revenue Estimate is $18.76B (+15.1% Y/Y).

Over the last 2 years, HUM has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and has beaten revenue estimates 100% of the time.

Over the last 3 months, EPS estimates have seen 1 upward revision and 18 downward. Revenue estimates have seen 10 upward revisions and 4 downward.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
FUNMAN FUNMAN 4 years ago
Humana inks medicare network agreement with Grand View Health

Oct. 5, 2020 9:27 AM ET|About: Humana Inc. (HUM)|By: Khyathi Dalal, SA News Editor
Humana (NYSE:HUM) and community health system Grand View Health signed an agreement for providing in-network access for Humana Medicare Advantage members in southeast Pennsylvania at the system's Grand View Hospital and outpatient locations, and with Grand View Health physicians.

Agreement also enables in-network access to Grand View Health primary care providers and specialists.

Agreement terms were not disclosed; it is effective Nov 1, 2020.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
TFMG TFMG 4 years ago


$HUM | #Humana Inc Potential Breakout



Possible pennant breakout from ABCDE correction possible entry $407 Upside Fibonacci target $440




๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
whytestocks whytestocks 5 years ago
News: $HUM University of California, Los Angeles Wins the Humana-Mays Health Care Analytics Case Competition

The student team of Ozguk Cetinok, Leah Kelly, and Erica Millwater from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has won the $30,000 First Place prize in the Humana-Mays Health Care Analytics 2019 Case Competition sponsored by health and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) an...

In case you are interested HUM - University of California, Los Angeles Wins the Humana-Mays Health Care Analytics Case Competition
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
tw0122 tw0122 5 years ago
When medical debt collectors decide who gets arrested - ProPublicahttps://apple.news/AQqxtc_LpSQupZE-Old3vUw
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ITMS ITMS 5 years ago
Humana $HUM Pulls Back, But More Upside Is Coming

In 2019, all of the leading managed health care stocks have been very volatile. Political pressure from both sides of the aisle have been the catalyst for the excessive whipsaw in this industry group. Stocks such as Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM), Cigna Corp (NYSE:CI), UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH) and others have been very susceptible to political news on a daily basis. Last week, the sector rallied sharply higher after the White House abandoned its plan to eliminate rebates from government drug plans. Unfortunately, these stocks are pulling back today after Presidential candidate Joe Biden proposes a public option for health insurance for anyone who wants it and will give power to Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

Last week, the managed health care stocks all broke out on a technical basis. Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) is one stock that should have more upside despite today's pullback. Today, HUM stock is falling by $4.48 to $286.77 a share. Traders and investors should now watch and see if this stock can consolidate on the charts as last week's break-out pattern suggests a move back up to the $310.00 level. This major resistance level is where the stock sold off in late February 2019. I will be be keeping this leading heath care stock on my radar for a bullish pattern development.





Nick Santiago
InTheMoneyStocks
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ITMS ITMS 6 years ago
Health Insurance Stocks Tumble, Watch This Trade Level $HUM

Today, most of the leading health insurance stock are falling sharply lower. Leaders in the industry group such as Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM), WellCare Health Plans Inc (NYSE:WCG), United Health Group (NYSE:UNH) and others are all trading in negative territory. A couple days ago, a Federal judge voiced concerns over the DOJ's approval of CVS/Aetna merger. This news is the likely catalyst for the big decline in the sector.

Humana Inc(NYSE:HUM) is a leading stock in the health insurance group that is trading lower by $14.76 to $309.71 a share. This stock is now testing it's 200-day moving average. Should this stock close below this key moving average it would indicate lower prices ahead. The next major support area that looks attractive for HUM stock will be around the $290.00 level. This is where the stock broke out in May 2018 and should be very solid chart support when retested.





Nick Santiago
InTheMoneyStocks
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
Juiceisloose Juiceisloose 7 years ago
LOL buy hold. Simple!!
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
Wonders20 Wonders20 9 years ago
STOP the Aetna-Humana merger/sale! Thousands of Humana employees will lose their jobs and there will be a monopoly on Medicare in many states! This merger is all about money $$$$$ and Humana executives are banking on making MILLIONS from it even if it means leaving THOUSANDS jobless. Senior citizens in many states will have little to no choice on Medicare plans.

Please click here and sign the "Stop the Aetna-Humana Healthcare Merger/Sale" petition and stop the greed!
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
jones99 jones99 9 years ago
Humana ($HUM) reported in line fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share, while its first quarter guidance is below estimates.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
venturecapp venturecapp 9 years ago
Aetna Beats By $0.15, Reports Revenues In-Line - article discusses Humana http://marketexclusivecom/aetna-aet-beats-by-0-15-reports-revenues-in-line/2196/
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
Sell short or buy put's as we head to $135. After earnings it will move quick
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
Just info only ... The Aetna CEO is in town and at 1:30 Eastern will be having a meeting with Bruce B. They are projecting the EPS not to go back up until 2017 and close the deal in June 2016. So today is what you get.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
GeekTrader30 GeekTrader30 9 years ago
Got my calls ready weeeee
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
Agreed. 50% stock is a lot of stock in this deal. I say it opens up around $217-$220 and slowly drifts lower. Folks will be pulling profit Monday (like myself) and moving to Cigna though Cigna is now in a bad position as they have zero negotiating power waiting too late. They'll have no choice but to take $184 or lower for that matter.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
It should open up in that area however soon it will go South.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
I didn't buy calls. I have 500 shares purchased at $186.92. And damn has this made my weekend I just found out they announced the buyout! Been busy. I told you $220-$230
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
King did you buy those calls. Monday should be good..
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
2H2 2H2 9 years ago
$230 a share buyout price.

HH
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
Not sure why we have not heard anything however looking for the end of the day stock appreciation so I can bank the calls..
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
They would have 3 days to report that news from the time it was dealt if that were the case though.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
That I don't know however it was inked last Friday.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
Then what's the buyout price? I see several $220 targets.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
Again the buy out has already happened. Today we are looking at the price moving forward to the low 190's. However by August we are looking at a stock price around $135. We will be out of those calls today..
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
How do you know this? Chartists say 184. Hell idK.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
This will reverse today and I will sell when it hits 192 stock price.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
I did not. I'm just watching the take down. Considering a buy here for next Monday but I'm worried about Greece.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
King dig u get those 195's ? Just bought 50 contracts.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
Stock should hit $187 today then buy those $195.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
Those 195's still look good. When the stock hits 190 ..
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
Thanks
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
That is old news. When the stock hit's 190 here in a bit buy some 195 calls . Then sell before days end.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
So KingDMC what does less than a million shares traded tell you as of this posting
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
Too risky since here in Louisville everyone knows who it is.. The best move is too wait til it is publicly announced and let it run. If it did hit $220 the one thing guaranteed is that it will reverse and keep on going South. Buy Put's at that point and you will be a happy man.I sold my 50 - 190's today when it hit the strike. Also, the earnings will be much worse than expected. Look at the Jacksonville Aetna office as they are adding jobs like crazy.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
So why not go long if you think it's today? They could announce a $220 BO?
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
Remember what I said about $135. That's the bigger call and it's coming..
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
We will hear today, most likely as all executives were in up level meetings Friday. Again it's Aetna
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
Nice call. I should have listened. My buyout euphoria got in the way. Took gains and sold all though.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
ADVFN_blackj ADVFN_blackj 9 years ago
Did you buy those 90 Puts like I suggested ? I did and happy about it..
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
I'm all out took my gains. I'll buy back Thursday if no deal announced before that. Maybe next Monday .
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
Smh
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
DOJ Girds for Strict Review of Any Health-Insurer Mergers

Source: Dow Jones News
By Brent Kendall And Anna Wilde Mathews
The Justice Department is gearing up for an exacting look at any proposed mergers among the nation's top health-insurance companies, amid questions inside and outside the department about whether industry consolidation could suppress competition.

The five biggest health insurers have been circling one another for potential deals. Anthem Inc. has made public a $47.5 billion bid for Cigna Corp., which Cigna has so far rejected. Aetna Inc., meanwhile, has made a takeover proposal for Humana Inc.

If the insurers succeed in striking such deals, it would leave the industry topped by three big companies, each with annual revenue of more than $100 billion. UnitedHealth Group Inc., currently the largest health insurer, also recently made a takeover approach to Aetna.

Many of the mergers under discussion have the potential to raise antitrust concerns, a senior Justice Department official said, adding that health insurers considering such deals should do a careful antitrust risk-assessment of the transactions.

Antitrust enforcers have had initial discussions about how they would approach any insurance tie-ups, and they are preparing for the possibility they could face multiple deals simultaneously, this official said.

If there were a wave of mergers at once, the department would look at the deals collectively, rather than each one in isolation. Enforcers would try to determine what effect the deals could have on the marketplace, and pursue questions about whether they would benefit consumers, the official said.

The big insurers declined to comment on the antitrust scrutiny that any potential deals in the industry might face.

In a recent call with industry analysts, Anthem Chief Executive Joseph Swedish said a combination of his company with Cigna would have "the scale to drive greater efficiency and affordability for our customers," and would be able to "accelerate improvements in the total cost of care."

A spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plans, the industry trade group, said health-plan combinations don't increase premiums, and that insurers' "focus is on making sure consumers have affordable coverage."

The prospect of consolidation poses high stakes for the Obama administration, whose signature domestic policy legacy is the 2010 health-care law. Some aspects of the health law were designed to increase insurance-industry competition, including marketplaces for health coverage and the creation of new nonprofit cooperative health plans around the country.

But the law also includes provisions that may have helped inspire consolidation, at least indirectly. For instance, it requires insurers to spend a certain percentage of premiums on health care, which adds to the pressure to trim administrative costs, a benefit insurers are likely to seek from merging.

A Wall Street Journal analysis from earlier this month found some combinations of the top health insurers could damp competition in certain markets around the country.

The law also contains policies encouraging health-care providers to move to forms of payment that involve tracking the care of groups of patients, aiming to save money and improve care. Providers say they need size and resources to transform health care, one of the driving sentiments behind recent consolidation by hospital groups and other health-care providers.

Just as the Justice Department is eyeing the health-insurance side of the equation, the Federal Trade Commission, which also has antitrust enforcement powers, has raised concerns about consolidation on the hospital side, challenging several mergers.

In fact, insurers are bulking up partly to face off against the larger hospital systems in negotiations about rates and payment models.

"All of this consolidation is about bargaining power," said Glenn Melnick, a professor at the University of Southern California who specializes in health-care finance. He co-wrote a study published in the journal Health Affairs that suggested increased health-insurer consolidation could benefit consumers by pushing down hospital rates, "as long as health-plan markets remain competitive."

Some research has linked having fewer health insurers to higher insurance rates.

"There's no good evidence out there that scale is associated with lower premiums or improvements in plan quality," said Leemore Dafny, a former FTC official who is a professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Ms. Dafny, who co-wrote a paper tying greater competition in the health-law marketplaces to lower rates, said it isn't clear insurers would pass on to consumers the benefits of any hospital discounts they achieve.

The Justice Department has challenged, or threatened to challenge, health-insurance mergers previously. In past deal reviews, it has focused both on how a merger would affect local or regional markets as well as markets for specific insurance products.

In 2012, the department found antitrust problems with Humana's acquisition of Arcadian Management Services Inc. The companies resolved the government's objections by agreeing to divest Medicare Advantage plans--the private-health-insurance version of the government program--in 51 counties and parishes.

That same year, the department expressed concerns about WellPoint Inc.'s acquisition of Amerigroup Corp. The parties addressed those concerns by divesting Amerigroup's Virginia Medicaid managed-care business. WellPoint is now called Anthem.

In 2010, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan abandoned its planned acquisition of an in-state rival when the Justice Department threatened to file an antitrust lawsuit to block the deal.

As in past government merger reviews, the input of third parties who would be affected by any insurance mergers, such as employers and health-care providers, will be important, the Justice Department official said.

Groups representing large national employers, which rely on the biggest insurers to administer their coverage, have expressed concerns publicly about a potential loss of options.

The official said the department will look closely at whether there are merger-specific cost savings produced by an insurance deal that would stimulate competition and benefit consumers, and whether any such benefits outweigh any potential risks posed by a megamerger.

Duke University law professor Barak Richman said it makes sense, with such massive deals possible, for the Justice Department to look at the combinations holistically.

"Does this create some kind of greater concentration of power in aggregate?" he said. "Are we thinking carefully about all the markets where they don't currently compete but could in future?"

A broad Justice Department examination would add to pressures on health insurers. The system of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans is facing private antitrust lawsuits in federal court alleging that they function as an illegal cartel. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has said its actions are legal and benefit consumers.

Write to Brent Kendall at brent.kendall@wsj.com and Anna Wilde Mathews at anna.mathews@wsj.com

Access Investor Kit for Aetna, Inc.

Visit http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US00817Y1082
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
Humana has farthest to fall if frozen out from deals
JUN 22, 2015 | BY BROOKE SUTHERLAND

(Bloomberg) -- Humana Inc. shareholders have the most to lose if the health insurer gets spit out of the tide of consolidation sweeping the industry.

Speculated as the likeliest target among the top five U.S. managed-care providers, Humana could be left to fend for itself--or forced to take a lower offer than it might like--if potential suitors merge with each other instead.

Anthem Inc. had weighed a bid for Humana, but on Saturday announced a $47 billion proposal for Cigna Corp. While Cigna rejected the $184- a-share cash and stock offer, Anthem reiterated it on Monday.


Further complicating the deal drama, both Anthem and Cigna continue to be in discussions to acquire Humana, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the information is private.

If Anthem and Cigna agree to a deal, Humana could be left with only one suitor: Aetna Inc. In that scenario, Humana doesnโ€™t have much leverage to push for a higher valuation and a transaction could happen below the current share price, according to Christine Arnold of Cowen Group Inc.

โ€œIf Aetna is interested in Humana, these events sure strengthen their hand at the negotiating table,โ€ said Brian Wright, a New York-based analyst at Sterne Agee CRT.

A takeover at a low price may be better than nothing. That could be the result if the biggest health insurer of the bunch, UnitedHealth Group Inc., decides to get in the mix and target Aetna for itself.

Downside risk

After climbing to a record amid growing takeover speculation, Humana stands to fall as much as 40 percent to $120 a share without a deal, said Chris Rigg of Susquehanna International Group. The company has missed analystsโ€™ earnings estimates for three straight quarters and probably will reduce its guidance for 2015, the New York-based analyst said.

โ€œAbsent the M&A speculation, it would be significantly below $200,โ€ Rigg said.

Humana fell 6.1 percent to $189.94 a share on Monday in New York. UnitedHealth declined 0.1 percent, while Aetna, Anthem and Cigna all gained.

UnitedHealth, with a market value of $114 billion, could go after Aetna to thwart an Aetna-Humana deal. Thatโ€™s because if Aetna merged with Humana, the combined company would be too big for UnitedHealth to buy without raising antitrust alarms. A UnitedHealth-Humana deal isnโ€™t an option because of the two companiesโ€™ significant overlap in Medicare Advantage, the private-company policies offered for the government-sponsored program for the elderly.

Still possible

Humana shareholders shouldnโ€™t give up all hope just yet. Arnold of Cowen says an Aetna-Humana combination is still more probable than Aetna-UnitedHealth.

Bank of America analyst Kevin Fischbeck also puts a lower probability on UnitedHealth making an acquisition, mostly because it doesnโ€™t need one as the biggest and fastest-growing health insurer.

For Humana, โ€œI still think the most likely scenario is that they will get taken out by Aetna,โ€ Rigg of Susquehanna said. He estimated a takeover valuation in the $200 range, but cautioned a bid could be for more like $180 if due diligence shows that Humanaโ€™s earnings are likely to fall.

๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0
KingDMC KingDMC 9 years ago
They supposedly rejected a $220 offer from CI as they preferred the Aetna offer. Sure as hell hope we find out Monday.
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ0

Your Recent History

Delayed Upgrade Clock