Humana, HCA Show Brighter Earnings Picture Though Worries Remain
Humana met analyst projections for the quarter and HCA stock shares are rebounding.
The Wall Street Journal: Humana Net Up 86%; Outlook Raised
Humana's earnings met analyst expectations for the quarter, although revenue was softer than expected. The Louisville, Ky., firm's full-year guidance also remains below analyst expectations, even though Humana raised its forecast based on stronger-than-expected enrollment increases for Medicare Advantage plans. After a string of strong reports that helped push Humana shares to an all-time peak last month, expectations were running high (Kamp, 2/7).
Reuters: Humana Forecast Is Below Street View; Shares Fall
Health insurers had performed well beyond expectations for most of 2011, benefiting from lower medical claims costs as a weak economy kept more Americans out of the doctor's office. But their financial results have been more tepid in the latest quarter, and some are expecting those claims costs to pick up this year. Besides Humana, Cigna and UnitedHealth Group Inc also forecast 2012 profit that fell short of Wall Street targets (Krauskopf, 2/6).
The Wall Street Journal: HCA Earnings Soar On Gain
HCA Holdings Inc.'s fourth-quarter earnings soared behind a big acquisition-related gain, plus help from continued growth in patient volumes and the hospital operator's cost-cutting efforts. ... HCA shares still trade at a discount to the $30 IPO after a turbulent first year, beset by concerns about patients avoiding medical visits because of the soft economy and pressure on reimbursement from government health plans. But its shares have been rebounding lately (Kamp, 2/7).
