Humana's Q3 2026 loss is narrower than expected as Medicare membership and premiums grow, prompting a guidance hike despite rising benefit costs and expenses.

Humana's top-line growth has accelerated sharply, with revenue up 26.2% year-over-year to $40.9B in 2026Q2, driven by membership expansion and pricing actions.
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Revenue growth accelerated to 26.2% year-over-year in 2026Q2, reaching $40.9B, but the combined ratio of 96.7% indicates a narrow underwriting margin of just 3.3%.
Humana is a major player in the Medicare Advantage (MA) market, which is a significant growth driver for the company. Despite increased competition and utilization rates, Humana's individual MA membership is projected to grow substantially.
Management is focused on restoring and improving margins through various initiatives, including moderating marketing costs and enhancing risk adjustment. The company has a multi-year plan to achieve significant transformation savings.
The CenterWell segment, which includes healthcare services, is a key area for expansion. Humana is integrating new contracts and acquiring businesses within this segment to broaden its national footprint.
Trailing total returns as of 11/7/2026, which may include dividends or other distributions. Benchmark is S&P 500 (^GSPC).
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| Quarter | EPS (Act vs Est) | Revenue (Act vs Est) |
|---|---|---|
Q4 2026Latest Nov 6, 2026 | -$0.70+30.0% vs -$1.00 | $41.2B+0.7% vs $40.9B |
Q3 2026 Jul 29, 2026 | $7.61+4.7% vs $7.27 | $40.9B+0.7% vs $40.6B |
Q2 2026 Apr 29, 2026 | $10.31+0.7% vs $10.24 | $39.6B+0.7% vs $39.4B |
Q1 2026 Feb 11, 2026 | -$3.96+1.0% vs -$4.00 | $32.5B+1.5% vs $32.0B |
Humana's Q3 2026 loss is narrower than expected as Medicare membership and premiums grow, prompting a guidance hike despite rising benefit costs and expenses.

BLS results were far better than expected: +165K, close to triple the +59K analysts were looking for.

Humana Inc. (HUM) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) shares rose about 4% Friday after the health insurer posted a narrower-than-expected third-quarter loss, topped revenue estimates and raised its 2026 adjusted earnings guidance.

Benchmark HUM against direct peers instead of judging its metrics in isolation.
Key metrics vs top competitors for Humana Inc. (HUM)
| Company | Price | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | Rev Growth (1Y) | Net Margin | ROE | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $433.74 | $52.08B | 44.08 | 10.06% | 0.92% | 6.95% | 0.82% | |
| $394.15 | $357.95B | 29.79 | 11.81% | 3.53% | 15.18% | 2.21% | |
| $83.85 | $106.99B | 60.32 | 7.85% | 1.18% | 6.41% | 3.19% | |
| $425.62 | $92.3B | 16.94 | 12.62% | 2.55% | 11.56% | 1.62% | |
| $69.70 | $34.43B | -5.12 | 19.44% | 0.75% | 6.76% | — | |
| $208.99 | $10.91B | 23.43 | 11.75% | -0.11% | -1.17% | — |
Humana Inc. (HUM) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.
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Humana Inc. (HUM) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)
Jul 29, 2026·SEC
Jul 29, 2026·SEC
Jun 1, 2026·SEC
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Humana Inc. (HUM) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
Humana Inc. (HUM) grew revenue by 10.1% in fiscal year 2025, compared with the prior fiscal year.
Yes. Humana Inc. (HUM) earned $1.28B in net income over the trailing twelve months (a 0.9% net margin).
Yes. Humana Inc. (HUM) pays a dividend that yields 0.82% at the current price, a small yield.
Humana Inc. (HUM) had a return on equity (ROE) of 7.0% in fiscal year 2025. That is below the market's typical 10-15%.
Humana Inc. (HUM) has a combined ratio of 98.9%. A ratio below 100% indicates underwriting profitability.