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Humana (HUM) Q3 Earnings Beat on Strong Individual MA Unit
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Humana Inc. (HUM - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $6.88, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.1%. The bottom line soared 42.4% year over year. Our estimate for the metric stands at $6.20 per share.
Strong contribution from HUM’s Retail and Healthcare Services segments contributed to the strong quarterly results. However, its margins were partly hurt by escalating operating costs.
Humana’s revenues improved 10.2% year over year to $22,799 million owing to membership growth in its individual Medicare Advantage business and customer wins from state-based contracts. Improved per member individual Medicare Advantage premiums also contributed to revenue growth. Yet, the top line fell short of the consensus mark by a whisker.
Total premiums of Humana amounted to $21,468 million, which grew 8% year over year in the quarter under review. The figure lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $21,510 million but beat our estimate of $21,450.4 million.
Revenues from services climbed 37.2% year over year to $1,159 million. Investment income of $172 million compared favorably against the prior-year quarter’s investment loss of $33 million.
The benefits expense ratio of 85.6% improved 150 basis points (bps) year over year in the third quarter. The operating cost ratio deteriorated 90 bps year over year to 13.5% on account of the consolidation of Kindred at Home operations and the net impact of charges resulting from Humana’s initiatives as part of its previously disclosed $1 billion value creation plan.
Total operating expenses increased 7.8% year over year to $21,627 million, primarily due to higher benefits, operating costs, and depreciation and amortization. Our estimate for the metric suggests a 7.1% increase from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.
Net income of $1,193 million dropped 22.1% year over year in the quarter under review.
Segmental Results
Retail
The segment’s revenues of $20,189 million rose 9.5% year over year on the back of individual Medicare Advantage and state-based contracts membership growth, and increased per member individual Medicare Advantage premiums. Our estimate for the metric stands at $20,192.1 million.
Adjusted earnings of $750 million surged 63% year over year in the third quarter. The benefits expense ratio came in at 86.5%, which improved 160 bps year over year. The operating cost ratio of 9.4% deteriorated 30 bps year over year due to elevated marketing expenses incurred this year to boost individual Medicare Advantage growth.
Total medical membership of the segment increased 2.8% year over year as of Sep 30, 2022.
Group and Specialty
The segment recorded revenues of $1,551 million, which fell 8.5% year over year due to reduced fully-insured commercial medical and ASO commercial membership. The figure came higher than our estimate of $1,529.1 million.
Adjusted earnings came in at $50 million during the third quarter, while a loss of $27 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
The benefits expense ratio of 78.7% improved 770 bps year over year. The operating cost ratio deteriorated 270 bps year over year to 27.6% due to the membership fall at a higher rate than the decrease in absolute administrative costs and investments made in the Military services business.
Healthcare Services
The segment’s revenues of $8,880 million grew 10.5% year over year in the third quarter, thanks to higher pharmacy revenues derived from individual Medicare Advantage and state-based contracts membership growth. Better mail-order pharmacy penetration and a strong provider business also contributed to the segment’s results. Our estimate for the metric stands at $8,992 million.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 8.9% year over year to $452 million.
The operating cost ratio was flat year over year at 95%.
Financial Update (as of Sep 30, 2022)
Humana exited the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $13,558 million, which increased to nearly four-fold from the 2021-end level. Total assets of $50.8 billion increased 14.4% from the figure at the 2021 end.
HUM’s long-term debt of $7,798 million declined 26% from the figure as of Dec 31, 2021. It had short-term debt of $2,799 million. Debt to total capitalization came in at 39.4%, which improved 360 bps year over year.
Total stockholders’ equity of $16,317 million inched up 1.3% from the level at 2021 end.
Operating cash flows amounted to $8,453 million in the third quarter, which increased to nearly three-fold year over year.
Capital Deployment
During the third quarter, Humana bought back shares worth $4 million. As of Nov 1, 2022, it had $2 billion left under the repurchase authorization. In the same time frame, HUM paid out dividends of $100 million to its shareholders.
2022 EPS Outlook
On Humana’s Investor Day held in September 2022, management hiked its 2022 adjusted EPS guidance. Concurrent with third-quarter results, HUM maintained its view and continues expecting adjusted EPS at around $25 (suggesting 21% growth from the reported figure of 2021).
Other Projections for 2022
Revenues for this year are still anticipated within $91.6-$93.2 billion.
Revenues from the Retail segment are continued to be expected within $81.7-$82.4 billion, while the Group and Specialty segment’s revenues are still projected between $6 billion and $6.5 billion. Revenues from the Healthcare Services segment are continued to be estimated in the range of $35.4-$35.9 billion.
HUM continues to expect individual Medicare Advantage membership to grow by 150,000-200,000 members during 2022. Management still anticipates Group Medicare Advantage membership to be flat year over year. Medicare stand-alone prescription drug plan is likely to decline by 80,000 members, better than the earlier projection of a decrease of 100,000 members.
The benefit ratio from the Retail segment is still estimated at 86.6-87.6%, while the same for the Group and Specialty segment is continued to be expected at 78.3-78.8%. The consolidated operating cost ratio is still expected at 13.3-14.3%.
Management continues to estimate cash flow from operations within $3-$3.5 billion. Capital expenditures are still forecast at around $1.3 billion.
2023 Guidance Issued for Membership
Management forecasts individual Medicare Advantage membership to witness an increase in the range of 325,000-400,000. The outlook indicates a 7.1-8.7% improvement from the earlier expected membership as of Dec 31, 2022.
2025 Growth Target
Humana also targets adjusted earnings of $37 per share for 2025, seeing a CAGR of 14% from the 2022 EPS guidance (around $25).
Of the Medical sector players that have reported third-quarter results so far, the bottom-line results of Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS - Free Report) , Centene Corporation (CNC - Free Report) and HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Universal Health reported third-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings of $2.54 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.8%. However, the bottom line fell 4.9% year over year. Net revenues of $3.3 billion improved 5.7% year over year in the third quarter. The top line outpaced the consensus mark by a whisker. Adjusted admissions (adjusted for outpatient activity) rose 1.9% year over year on a same-facility basis at UHS’ acute care hospitals, while adjusted patient days declined 5% year over year.
Centene’s third-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings per share of $1.30 outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.6%. The bottom line grew 3.2% year over year. CNC’s revenues of $35.9 billion advanced 11% year over year in the quarter under review and also beat the consensus mark by 1.1%. Premiums of $31.8 billion rose 10.3% year over year in the quarter under review, while service revenues climbed 14.7% year over year to $1.9 billion.
HCA Healthcare reported third-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings of $3.93 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1%. However, the bottom line dropped 14% year over year. Revenues of HCA decreased 2% year over year to $15 billion in the third quarter and missed the consensus mark by a whisker. Same-facility equivalent admissions rose 2.3% year over year in the third quarter, while same-facility admissions fell 1.5% year over year.
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Humana (HUM) Q3 Earnings Beat on Strong Individual MA Unit
Humana Inc. (HUM - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $6.88, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.1%. The bottom line soared 42.4% year over year. Our estimate for the metric stands at $6.20 per share.
Strong contribution from HUM’s Retail and Healthcare Services segments contributed to the strong quarterly results. However, its margins were partly hurt by escalating operating costs.
Humana’s revenues improved 10.2% year over year to $22,799 million owing to membership growth in its individual Medicare Advantage business and customer wins from state-based contracts. Improved per member individual Medicare Advantage premiums also contributed to revenue growth. Yet, the top line fell short of the consensus mark by a whisker.
Humana Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Humana Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Humana Inc. Quote
Operational Update
Total premiums of Humana amounted to $21,468 million, which grew 8% year over year in the quarter under review. The figure lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $21,510 million but beat our estimate of $21,450.4 million.
Revenues from services climbed 37.2% year over year to $1,159 million. Investment income of $172 million compared favorably against the prior-year quarter’s investment loss of $33 million.
The benefits expense ratio of 85.6% improved 150 basis points (bps) year over year in the third quarter. The operating cost ratio deteriorated 90 bps year over year to 13.5% on account of the consolidation of Kindred at Home operations and the net impact of charges resulting from Humana’s initiatives as part of its previously disclosed $1 billion value creation plan.
Total operating expenses increased 7.8% year over year to $21,627 million, primarily due to higher benefits, operating costs, and depreciation and amortization. Our estimate for the metric suggests a 7.1% increase from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.
Net income of $1,193 million dropped 22.1% year over year in the quarter under review.
Segmental Results
Retail
The segment’s revenues of $20,189 million rose 9.5% year over year on the back of individual Medicare Advantage and state-based contracts membership growth, and increased per member individual Medicare Advantage premiums. Our estimate for the metric stands at $20,192.1 million.
Adjusted earnings of $750 million surged 63% year over year in the third quarter. The benefits expense ratio came in at 86.5%, which improved 160 bps year over year. The operating cost ratio of 9.4% deteriorated 30 bps year over year due to elevated marketing expenses incurred this year to boost individual Medicare Advantage growth.
Total medical membership of the segment increased 2.8% year over year as of Sep 30, 2022.
Group and Specialty
The segment recorded revenues of $1,551 million, which fell 8.5% year over year due to reduced fully-insured commercial medical and ASO commercial membership. The figure came higher than our estimate of $1,529.1 million.
Adjusted earnings came in at $50 million during the third quarter, while a loss of $27 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
The benefits expense ratio of 78.7% improved 770 bps year over year. The operating cost ratio deteriorated 270 bps year over year to 27.6% due to the membership fall at a higher rate than the decrease in absolute administrative costs and investments made in the Military services business.
Healthcare Services
The segment’s revenues of $8,880 million grew 10.5% year over year in the third quarter, thanks to higher pharmacy revenues derived from individual Medicare Advantage and state-based contracts membership growth. Better mail-order pharmacy penetration and a strong provider business also contributed to the segment’s results. Our estimate for the metric stands at $8,992 million.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 8.9% year over year to $452 million.
The operating cost ratio was flat year over year at 95%.
Financial Update (as of Sep 30, 2022)
Humana exited the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $13,558 million, which increased to nearly four-fold from the 2021-end level. Total assets of $50.8 billion increased 14.4% from the figure at the 2021 end.
HUM’s long-term debt of $7,798 million declined 26% from the figure as of Dec 31, 2021. It had short-term debt of $2,799 million. Debt to total capitalization came in at 39.4%, which improved 360 bps year over year.
Total stockholders’ equity of $16,317 million inched up 1.3% from the level at 2021 end.
Operating cash flows amounted to $8,453 million in the third quarter, which increased to nearly three-fold year over year.
Capital Deployment
During the third quarter, Humana bought back shares worth $4 million. As of Nov 1, 2022, it had $2 billion left under the repurchase authorization. In the same time frame, HUM paid out dividends of $100 million to its shareholders.
2022 EPS Outlook
On Humana’s Investor Day held in September 2022, management hiked its 2022 adjusted EPS guidance. Concurrent with third-quarter results, HUM maintained its view and continues expecting adjusted EPS at around $25 (suggesting 21% growth from the reported figure of 2021).
Other Projections for 2022
Revenues for this year are still anticipated within $91.6-$93.2 billion.
Revenues from the Retail segment are continued to be expected within $81.7-$82.4 billion, while the Group and Specialty segment’s revenues are still projected between $6 billion and $6.5 billion. Revenues from the Healthcare Services segment are continued to be estimated in the range of $35.4-$35.9 billion.
HUM continues to expect individual Medicare Advantage membership to grow by 150,000-200,000 members during 2022. Management still anticipates Group Medicare Advantage membership to be flat year over year. Medicare stand-alone prescription drug plan is likely to decline by 80,000 members, better than the earlier projection of a decrease of 100,000 members.
The benefit ratio from the Retail segment is still estimated at 86.6-87.6%, while the same for the Group and Specialty segment is continued to be expected at 78.3-78.8%. The consolidated operating cost ratio is still expected at 13.3-14.3%.
Management continues to estimate cash flow from operations within $3-$3.5 billion. Capital expenditures are still forecast at around $1.3 billion.
2023 Guidance Issued for Membership
Management forecasts individual Medicare Advantage membership to witness an increase in the range of 325,000-400,000. The outlook indicates a 7.1-8.7% improvement from the earlier expected membership as of Dec 31, 2022.
2025 Growth Target
Humana also targets adjusted earnings of $37 per share for 2025, seeing a CAGR of 14% from the 2022 EPS guidance (around $25).
Zacks Rank
Humana currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Medical Sector Releases
Of the Medical sector players that have reported third-quarter results so far, the bottom-line results of Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS - Free Report) , Centene Corporation (CNC - Free Report) and HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA - Free Report) beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Universal Health reported third-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings of $2.54 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.8%. However, the bottom line fell 4.9% year over year. Net revenues of $3.3 billion improved 5.7% year over year in the third quarter. The top line outpaced the consensus mark by a whisker. Adjusted admissions (adjusted for outpatient activity) rose 1.9% year over year on a same-facility basis at UHS’ acute care hospitals, while adjusted patient days declined 5% year over year.
Centene’s third-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings per share of $1.30 outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.6%. The bottom line grew 3.2% year over year. CNC’s revenues of $35.9 billion advanced 11% year over year in the quarter under review and also beat the consensus mark by 1.1%. Premiums of $31.8 billion rose 10.3% year over year in the quarter under review, while service revenues climbed 14.7% year over year to $1.9 billion.
HCA Healthcare reported third-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings of $3.93 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1%. However, the bottom line dropped 14% year over year. Revenues of HCA decreased 2% year over year to $15 billion in the third quarter and missed the consensus mark by a whisker. Same-facility equivalent admissions rose 2.3% year over year in the third quarter, while same-facility admissions fell 1.5% year over year.