Humana Inc. (HUM), headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, provides medical and specialty insurance products. With a market cap of $46.7 billion, the company offers coordinated health care through health maintenance organizations, point-of-service plans, and administrative services products. Shares of medicare giant have outperformed the broader market over the past year.
HUM has gained 36.5% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 20.6%. In 2026, HUM stock is up 50.3%, surpassing the SPX's 13.9% rise on a YTD basis. Mark Cuban Says If You Win The Lottery, Don't Take The Lump Sum — And Tell People Who Ask for Money No, But 'Be Nice.
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Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF). The exchange-traded fund has gained about 29.1% over the past year. Moreover, HUM's returns on a YTD basis outshine the ETF's 18.7% gains over the same time frame.
Humana beat estimates thanks to stronger operational efficiency and improvements in its Stars ratings. Cost trends remained favorable, particularly among value-based care members, while G&A savings from centralizing functions and expanding outsourcing provided additional margin support. Management also reaffirmed its 2028 margin target and outlined plans for 2027 Medicare Advantage plan exits to focus on higher-value products.
In addition, the company is using proceeds from the Gentiva sale to fund the MaxHealth acquisition, and a new Illinois Medicaid contract is helping drive growth beyond its core Medicare Advantage business. On Jul. 29, HUM shares closed down by 6% after reporting its Q2 results. Its adjusted EPS of $7.61 exceeded Wall Street expectations of $6.22.
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