We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Humana (HUM) Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates on Membership Growth
Read MoreHide Full Article
Humana Inc.’s (HUM - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2021 adjusted earnings per share of $1.24 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. The bottom line also improved from the year-ago loss of $2.30 per share.
The strong fourth-quarter earnings were supported by membership growth and higher premiums. Solid contribution from its Retail and Healthcare Services segments supported the bottom line.
Revenues of $21,054 million were up from $19,062 million in the prior-year quarter, thanks to individual Medicare Advantage and state-based contracts membership growth plus higher per member individual Medicare Advantage premiums and the impact of Kindred at Home revenues from external customers. Yet, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $21,186 million due to a decline in stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) and group commercial medical and group Medicare Advantage membership.
Benefit ratio declined 40 basis points (bps) to 87.9% for the fourth quarter. The decrease reflects the company’s tight rein on costs. Operating cost ratio declined to 16.1% from 16.3% a year ago.
Total expenses shot up 8.2% year over year to $20,993 million on higher benefits, operating costs, and depreciation and amortization costs.
The company’s net loss of $13 million improved from the year-ago loss of $274 million.
Segmental Results
Retail
Revenues of $18,411 million were up from $16,834 million a year ago. This can primarily be attributed to a premium rise owing to individual Medicare Advantage along with state-based contracts membership growth and higher per member Medicare Advantage premiums. Benefit ratio of 89% expanded from 87% in the prior-year quarter due to the termination of the non-deductible HIF in 2021 and the impact of the competitive nature of the group Medicare Advantage business.
The segment’s operating cost ratio of 11.5% contracted 250 bps year over year owing to the termination of the non-deductible HIF in 2021, lower COVID-related administrative costs, scale efficiencies related to growth in individual Medicare Advantage membership and operating cost efficiencies in the fourth quarter.
Group and Specialty
Revenues from this segment were $1,722 million, marginally down from the prior-year quarter’s $1,791 million level due to lower fully-insured group commercial membership.
Benefit ratio contracted 1,770 bps year over year to 86.6%, primarily due to pricing and benefit design efforts in 2021. Operating cost ratio contracted 130 bps year over year to 26.8% due to productivity initiatives and lower COVID-related administrative costs.
Healthcare Services
Revenues of $8,482 million increased from $7,291 million a year ago, primarily owing to individual Medicare Advantage membership growth and state-based contracts membership growth, the impact of Kindred at Home along with higher revenues related to the company’s provider business. Operating cost ratio decreased 290 bps year over year to 95%. This was owing to the impact of consolidated Kindred at Home operations and operational improvement in its provider service business primarily related to Conviva.
Financial Update (as of Dec 31, 2021)
HUM had cash and cash equivalents of $3,394 million, down from $4,673 million at 2020-end. Debt to total capitalization was 43.7%, expanding 1,100 bps from the level of Dec 31, 2020.
Net cash flows used in operating activities came in at $96 million, comparing unfavorably with the year-ago operating cash from operations of $283 million.
Capital Deployment
In January, Humana inked two separate deals with two third-party financial institutions to effect an aggregate $1-billion ASR program under its authorization. In the fourth quarter, the company didn’t buy back any shares. Last February, its board of directors approved a share buyback plan of $3 billion, with an expiration date of Feb 18, 2024. As of Feb 1, HUM had $2 billion remaining under the program.
It paid out cash dividends worth $91 million in the fourth quarter.
2022 Guidance
The company provided its 2022 guidance. Adjusted EPS is expected to be $24, pointing to an increase from the 2021 level of $20.64. Total revenues for 2022 are expected within $91.6-$93.2 billion, which indicates an improvement from $83.1 billion in 2021. Revenues from Retail, Group and Specialty, and Healthcare Services segments are expected at $81.2-$82.2 billion, $6.2-$6.7 billion, and $35.8-$36.3 billion, respectively.
For the full year, HUM expects individual Medicare Advantage membership to grow by 150,000-200,000 members. While the company expects Group Medicare Advantage membership to remain flat year over year, Medicare stand-alone PDP is likely to decline by 125,000 members.
Benefit ratio from the Retail segment is estimated at 86.6-87.6%, indicating a decline from 87.9% in 2021. The same from the Group and Specialty segment is expected at 78.3-78.8%, suggesting a significant decline from 82.5% in 2021.
Cash flow from operations is expected within $3-$3.5 billion, implying growth from $2.3 billion in 2021. Full-year capital expenditure is expected at $1.3 billion.
HUM has undertaken multiple initiatives like cost savings and others to generate $1 billion additional value to fund the Medicare Advantage business and boost Healthcare Services capabilities.
Headquartered in North Kansas City, MO, Cerner provides health care information technology solutions. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CERN’s earnings suggests an increase of 16.2% year over year. The consensus mark for Cerner’s revenues for the current year indicates a 5.3% year-over-year rise.
Ensign is a provider of services like skilled nursing, senior living, rehabilitative and others. Based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, Ensign Group has been taking up several initiatives to efficiently deploy capital. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ENSG’s bottom line indicates 16% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for revenues indicates a rise of 9.6% year over year.
Inovio Pharmaceuticals develops and focuses on DNA medicines. The consensus mark for Plymouth Meeting, PA-based INO’s bottom line for 2022 implies a jump of 26.6% year over year. The consensus mark for Inovio Pharmaceuticals’ top line for 2022 is pegged at $81.8 million, indicating a significant jump from a year ago.
Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
Humana (HUM) Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates on Membership Growth
Humana Inc.’s (HUM - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2021 adjusted earnings per share of $1.24 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. The bottom line also improved from the year-ago loss of $2.30 per share.
The strong fourth-quarter earnings were supported by membership growth and higher premiums. Solid contribution from its Retail and Healthcare Services segments supported the bottom line.
Revenues of $21,054 million were up from $19,062 million in the prior-year quarter, thanks to individual Medicare Advantage and state-based contracts membership growth plus higher per member individual Medicare Advantage premiums and the impact of Kindred at Home revenues from external customers. Yet, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $21,186 million due to a decline in stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) and group commercial medical and group Medicare Advantage membership.
Humana Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Humana Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Humana Inc. Quote
Operational Update
Benefit ratio declined 40 basis points (bps) to 87.9% for the fourth quarter. The decrease reflects the company’s tight rein on costs. Operating cost ratio declined to 16.1% from 16.3% a year ago.
Total expenses shot up 8.2% year over year to $20,993 million on higher benefits, operating costs, and depreciation and amortization costs.
The company’s net loss of $13 million improved from the year-ago loss of $274 million.
Segmental Results
Retail
Revenues of $18,411 million were up from $16,834 million a year ago. This can primarily be attributed to a premium rise owing to individual Medicare Advantage along with state-based contracts membership growth and higher per member Medicare Advantage premiums. Benefit ratio of 89% expanded from 87% in the prior-year quarter due to the termination of the non-deductible HIF in 2021 and the impact of the competitive nature of the group Medicare Advantage business.
The segment’s operating cost ratio of 11.5% contracted 250 bps year over year owing to the termination of the non-deductible HIF in 2021, lower COVID-related administrative costs, scale efficiencies related to growth in individual Medicare Advantage membership and operating cost efficiencies in the fourth quarter.
Group and Specialty
Revenues from this segment were $1,722 million, marginally down from the prior-year quarter’s $1,791 million level due to lower fully-insured group commercial membership.
Benefit ratio contracted 1,770 bps year over year to 86.6%, primarily due to pricing and benefit design efforts in 2021. Operating cost ratio contracted 130 bps year over year to 26.8% due to productivity initiatives and lower COVID-related administrative costs.
Healthcare Services
Revenues of $8,482 million increased from $7,291 million a year ago, primarily owing to individual Medicare Advantage membership growth and state-based contracts membership growth, the impact of Kindred at Home along with higher revenues related to the company’s provider business. Operating cost ratio decreased 290 bps year over year to 95%. This was owing to the impact of consolidated Kindred at Home operations and operational improvement in its provider service business primarily related to Conviva.
Financial Update (as of Dec 31, 2021)
HUM had cash and cash equivalents of $3,394 million, down from $4,673 million at 2020-end. Debt to total capitalization was 43.7%, expanding 1,100 bps from the level of Dec 31, 2020.
Net cash flows used in operating activities came in at $96 million, comparing unfavorably with the year-ago operating cash from operations of $283 million.
Capital Deployment
In January, Humana inked two separate deals with two third-party financial institutions to effect an aggregate $1-billion ASR program under its authorization. In the fourth quarter, the company didn’t buy back any shares. Last February, its board of directors approved a share buyback plan of $3 billion, with an expiration date of Feb 18, 2024. As of Feb 1, HUM had $2 billion remaining under the program.
It paid out cash dividends worth $91 million in the fourth quarter.
2022 Guidance
The company provided its 2022 guidance. Adjusted EPS is expected to be $24, pointing to an increase from the 2021 level of $20.64. Total revenues for 2022 are expected within $91.6-$93.2 billion, which indicates an improvement from $83.1 billion in 2021. Revenues from Retail, Group and Specialty, and Healthcare Services segments are expected at $81.2-$82.2 billion, $6.2-$6.7 billion, and $35.8-$36.3 billion, respectively.
For the full year, HUM expects individual Medicare Advantage membership to grow by 150,000-200,000 members. While the company expects Group Medicare Advantage membership to remain flat year over year, Medicare stand-alone PDP is likely to decline by 125,000 members.
Benefit ratio from the Retail segment is estimated at 86.6-87.6%, indicating a decline from 87.9% in 2021. The same from the Group and Specialty segment is expected at 78.3-78.8%, suggesting a significant decline from 82.5% in 2021.
Cash flow from operations is expected within $3-$3.5 billion, implying growth from $2.3 billion in 2021. Full-year capital expenditure is expected at $1.3 billion.
HUM has undertaken multiple initiatives like cost savings and others to generate $1 billion additional value to fund the Medicare Advantage business and boost Healthcare Services capabilities.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
The company currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Some better-ranked players in the Medicalspace include Cerner Corp. , The Ensign Group, Inc. (ENSG - Free Report) and Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (INO - Free Report) , 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.
Headquartered in North Kansas City, MO, Cerner provides health care information technology solutions. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CERN’s earnings suggests an increase of 16.2% year over year. The consensus mark for Cerner’s revenues for the current year indicates a 5.3% year-over-year rise.
Ensign is a provider of services like skilled nursing, senior living, rehabilitative and others. Based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, Ensign Group has been taking up several initiatives to efficiently deploy capital. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ENSG’s bottom line indicates 16% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for revenues indicates a rise of 9.6% year over year.
Inovio Pharmaceuticals develops and focuses on DNA medicines. The consensus mark for Plymouth Meeting, PA-based INO’s bottom line for 2022 implies a jump of 26.6% year over year. The consensus mark for Inovio Pharmaceuticals’ top line for 2022 is pegged at $81.8 million, indicating a significant jump from a year ago.