Humana Inc. (HUM)
Humana is a major American health insurance provider that specialises in Medicare plans for older adults.
Is Humana Inc. a good stock for a UK beginner?
The honest version: Humana is a major American health insurance provider that specialises in Medicare plans for older adults.
Over about 2 years to 2026-07-31. This is the share price only - reinvesting the dividends would add to it. And it's the USD return - as a UK investor your actual £ return also moves with the exchange rate. Past performance is not a guide to the future, and it could just as easily have fallen.
Based on beta - how much the price swings versus the whole market. Bumpier isn't bad; it just means a rougher ride, which matters more the sooner you might need the money.
Prices move on results, news and the mood of the whole market - no single headline explains a day, and a quiet week is usually just noise, not a signal.
An ageing population drives long-term demand for their core insurance products.
Major regulatory overhauls significantly limit the profitability of private Medicare plans.
What does Humana Inc. do?
Humana makes its money by collecting insurance premiums from members and paying for their medical care. They are heavily focused on the US government's Medicare Advantage programme, which provides health coverage for seniors. Much hinges on how they manage the rising costs of medical care, since even small changes in what they pay hospitals can have a big impact on their thin profit margins.
On our factor screen it looks strongest on momentum and growth, and weakest on quality.
- ✓Pays a dividend - about 1.0% a year
- ✓Growing - revenue up about 26% over the year
- !Thin profits - turns only about 1% of sales into profit
- !High P/E of 35 - big growth is already priced in
- Growth screens high (72/100)
- Momentum screens high (76/100)
- Strong position in the growing Medicare Advantage market
- Lower share price volatility compared to the wider market
- Significant year-on-year revenue growth
- Quality screens low (24/100)
- Changes to US government healthcare policy could impact revenue
- Rising medical costs can quickly erode profitability
- Intense competition from other large insurance providers
What do Humana Inc.'s numbers mean?
How much money does Humana Inc. make?
Revenue and profit by quarter, and how much of each sale turns into profit.
Does Humana Inc. pay a dividend?
Yes - Humana Inc. currently pays a dividend of about 1.0% a year (the yearly payout as a share of the price). A dividend is a slice of profit handed to shareholders; the yield moves as the price moves, and a company can cut or stop it.
When does Humana Inc. report earnings, and how did recent quarters go?
Humana Inc. is next scheduled to report on about 2026-11-06 - dates can move, and we don't predict results; this just tells you when to look.
Each quarter a company reports its results against what analysts expected. ‘Beating’ or ‘missing’ is about that expectation, not whether the business is doing well in absolute terms.
| Reported | Expected EPS: The earnings per share analysts expected for the quarter - the average of their forecasts. 'Beating' or 'missing' is measured against this number. | Actual EPS | vs expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-29 | $6.99 | $7.61 | Beat +9% |
| 2026-04-29 | $10.20 | $10.31 | Beat +1% |
| 2026-02-11 | $-3.99 | $-3.96 | In line |
| 2025-11-05 | $2.83 | $3.24 | Beat +15% |
| 2025-07-29 | $5.87 | $6.27 | Beat +7% |
| 2025-04-30 | $10.07 | $11.58 | Beat +15% |
Across the last 6 quarters here, Humana Inc. came in ahead of what analysts expected 5 times. One quarter is noise, not a trend.
See who else reports over the next two weeks →
Reported vs expected earnings per share (EPS) from published results; the expectation is the analyst consensus, not our view. Report dates are estimates that can move.
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Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.What are the scenarios for Humana Inc.?
An illustrative range for the year ahead, with the assumption behind each case — not a prediction or a price target.
What are the pros and cons of Humana Inc.?
How many points the write-up makes each way — a balance check, not a score or verdict.
- Strong position in the growing Medicare Advantage market
- Lower share price volatility compared to the wider market
- Significant year-on-year revenue growth
- Very thin profit margins leave little room for error
- Recent earnings growth has been negative
- High reliance on government-funded programmes
- Changes to US government healthcare policy could impact revenue
- Rising medical costs can quickly erode profitability
- Intense competition from other large insurance providers
The write-up's own warning lights — if these start happening, the case above changes.
- A permanent change in how the US government funds Medicare
- A sustained period of rising profit margins
Built from public filings & market prices, checked for an education-only tone, and never a price target. How we make these →
This plain-English summary was auto-generated on 2026-08-01 from public data and checked for an education-only, no-advice tone (the figures above carry their own, usually fresher, 'as of' date). It's information, never a recommendation.