FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Research Alert: CFRA Maintains Hold Rating On Shares Of Humana

By

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

We raise our 12-month target to $256 from $215, a 17x multiple of our 2027 EPS estimate, near HUM's 16.7x five-year historical forward average multiple. We think HUM is in the midst of a multiyear turnaround to improve profitability, with significant earnings growth expected looking out to 2027-2028. However, we see 2026 as a challenging period, characterized by industry-wide cost pressures and elevated levels of medical utilization. We lower our 2026 EPS estimate by $0.34 to $8.71 and our 2027 EPS estimate by $0.03 to $15.04. We think HUM improved investor confidence in the turnaround plan by maintaining its 2026 financial outlook and goal of 3% Medicare Advantage margin by 2028, though we note significant Medicare Stars Quality ratings updates (a more detailed outlook anticipated in Q2 earnings reports), as well as 2028 Bonus Year Stars ratings (expected in October), which add some uncertainty to near-term expectations.

Related Articles

Research

Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Buy Opinion On Adss Of Barclays Plc

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We adjust our 12-month target price to USD27 from USD30. This is derived by applying a 9.1x P/E multiple to our 2026 EPS forecast. The premium over its five-year historical average forward P/E of 6.4x is justified by its improved profitability profile, earnings resilience and capital return visibility. We maintain our 2026 EPS forecast of GBP0.55 and our 2027 EPS forecast at GBP0.62. Our Buy rating is reinforced by a strong Q1 2026 performance, which serves as proof of the bank's ambitious strategic plan. Barclays showed striking resilience by absorbing about GBP333 million in notable one-off charges, including a GBP228 million fraud-related impairment and a GBP105 million motor finance provision, while still delivering a robust 13.5% RoTE. Management's commitment to shareholder returns was reaffirmed with the announcement of a new GBP500M share buyback, adding significant credibility to the multi-year framework of distributing over GBP15B to shareholders between 2026 and 2028.

$BCS
Research

Research Alert: CFRA Reiterates Sell Opinion On Shares Of Starbucks Corporation

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We raise our price target by $8 to $82, 30x our FY 27 (Sep.) EPS estimate and in line with its 10-year average forward multiple. We raise our FY 26 estimate to $2.26 from $2.21 and FY 27's to $2.74 from $2.64. Following FQ2 results that showed strong global comp growth acceleration to 6.2% (+710 bps), we reiterate our Sell opinion. Shares trade at 30x forward earnings, in line with their long-term average, suggesting the market expects this momentum through FY 27. Our model assumes SBUX meets its 5% global comp growth goal in FY 26, with margin expansion due to waning store investment costs, lower interest expenses, and improved international segment margins from the Boyu Capital China joint venture. We believe it will be difficult to sustain operating margin improvement on comp growth alone, with new store growth of just 0.8% in FQ3 potentially not inflecting higher until FY 28. At current valuation levels reflecting optimistic assumptions, we see limited upside and maintain our Sell rating.

$SBUX
Research

Research Alert: Firstenergy Q1 Delivers 7.5% Eps Growth; Reaffirms Top-end Growth Targets

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:FirstEnergy delivered strong Q1 results with core EPS of $0.72, in line with consensus, and 7.5% EPS growth driven by formula rate investment returns. Revenue increased 10.5% to $4.2B with meaningful ROE improvement to 9.8%, supported by $1.4B in capital deployments (up 33%). Earnings growth was broad-based across segments, with Distribution leading at $0.03 per share contribution from higher rates and disciplined expense management, while transmission segments benefited from robust rate base expansion of 11-19%. Management reaffirmed 2026 core EPS guidance of $2.62-$2.82 and long-term growth targets near the top of the 6-8% CAGR range through 2030. The $36B Energize365 capital plan for 2026-2030 represents a 30% increase over the previous program and should drive ~10% compounded annual rate base growth. Customer demand showed modest improvement with weather-adjusted sales up 0.5%, while 90% of investment increases were in formula rate programs providing regulatory certainty.

$FE