JPMorgan analyst Gary Taylor is reversing his 2019 "relative caution" on the Managed Care sector into a more bullish 2020 outlook, primarily due to what he believes will be diminishing political overhang on sentiment and valuation. The sector could generate "typical post-election year alpha" during 2020 as this particular election cycle has been accelerated, Taylor tells investors in a research note. He believes a bit of a "goldilocks" scenario has emerged fundamentally heading into 2020 as geographically localized utilization trends have improved. The analyst's top picks are Humana (HUM), UnitedHealth (UNH) and HCA Healthcare (HCA). Taylor raised his price target for Overweight-rated Anthem (ANTM) to $391 from $322, for Overweight-rated Cigna (CI) to $282 from $225, for Overweight-rated Humana to $437 from $322, for Overweight-rated Molina Healthcare (MOH) to $152 from $150, for Overweight-rated UnitedHealth to $361 from $276, for Overweight-rated HCA to $186 from $157, for Underweight-rated Tenet (THC) to $31 from $23, for Neutral-rated Universal Health (UHS) to $164 from $159, for Neutral-rated DaVita (DVA) to $75 from $65 and for Mednax (MD) to $33 from $26.

RBC Capital lowered the firm's price target on Humana to $353 from $415 but keeps an Outperform rating on the shares after its Q1 results and updated outlook. While the management is taking 2025 adjusted EPS growth targets off the table for now, the company also stressed its continued commitment to margin improvement next year, indicating that pulling guidance does not signal that 2025 is a no-growth year, the analyst tells investors in a research note. RBC adds however that it is still cutting its FY25 EPS outlook for Humana to $20.28 from $23.87.

Oppenheimer analyst Michael Wiederhorn lowered the firm's price target on Humana to $370 from $415 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm says Humana handily topped Q1 2024 expectations and maintained FY2024 guidance, highlighted by improving IP trends in March, leading to an in-line MLR without any contribution from favorable Q4 PPRD that seems likely. Looking forward, management pulled its 2025 growth guidance of $6-$10 EPS due to the rate pressures and TBC limitations, and also extended its return to 3% margins beyond 2026, says Oppenheimer. Overall, Humana continues to face the magnified impact from MA due to its significant exposure, but also boasts a portfolio with significant long-term margin upside, the firm adds.

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The company states: "The consolidated MCR for the first quarter of 2024 was 88.5%, reflecting changes in member mix due to growth across all segments and continued, strong medical cost management, and is in line with the Company's expectation. The Medicaid MCR for the first quarter of 2024 was 89.7%, in line with the Company's expectation and normal quarter to quarter trend fluctuations within our guidance. The new store additions in California and Nebraska, as well as Iowa and the My Choice Wisconsin acquisition in late-2023, drove a higher reported MCR in the first quarter of 2024. The Medicare MCR for the first quarter of 2024 was 88.7%, in line with the Company's expectations. Utilization in the legacy portfolio was consistent with the second half of 2023, but was offset by operational improvements and benefit adjustments."

Reports Q1 revenue $9.93B, consensus $9.44B. "We are very pleased with our first quarter performance," said Joseph Zubretsky, CEO. "We delivered strong financial performance supported by excellent operating metrics across our business, while sustaining profitable growth consistent with our long-term targets."

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Notable companies reporting after the market close, with earnings consensus, include Meta Plataforms (META), consensus $4.32... IBM (IBM), consensus $1.60... ServiceNow (NOW), consensus $3.14... Lam Research (LRCX), consensus $7.30... Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), consensus $11.68... O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY), consensus $9.26... Ford Motor (F), consensus 42c... United Rentals (URI), consensus $8.32... Align Technology (ALGN), consensus $1.97... Molina Healthcare (MOH), consensus $5.59... Teradyne (TER), consensus 33c... Universa Health Services (UHS), consensus $3.16... Western Union (WU), consensus 41c.

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Catheter Precision (VTAK) has received its first purchase order for LockeT from an HCA Healthcare (HCA) facility.

Augmedix (AUGX) announced the general availability of Augmedix Go for emergency departments, marking the launch of the industry's first fully-automated, generative AI powered medical documentation product for EDs across the country. The launch incorporates learnings from a pilot program with HCA Healthcare (HCA), one of the nation's leading healthcare providers. As part of the pilot, ED physicians in four HCA Healthcare hospitals utilized Augmedix Go to automate medical documentation, with the product instantaneously drafting their medical notes from patient visits. "The launch of Augmedix Go in the ED represents our unwavering commitment to develop solutions for health systems that improve their workflows. Our agility and flexible architecture, exhibited by our broad product suite and open network platform, help us address the complex and varying needs of clinicians and providers," said Manny Krakaris, CEO of Augmedix. "We have built a sophisticated platform designed to enable clinicians to be present with their patients while trusting that Augmedix technology is doing administrative work unobtrusively in the background."

Affirms FY 2024 Insurance segment benefit ratio of approximately 90%. Raises 2024 individual Medicare Advantage annual membership growth by 50,000 to now anticipate annual growth of approximately 150,000, or 2.8%.

Reports Q1 revenue $29.61B, consensus $28.47B.