Humana Shares Decline After 2026 Earnings Outlook Misses Expectations

Core Viewpoint - Humana Inc. shares declined over 2% after issuing 2026 earnings guidance that fell short of analyst expectations, despite reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter results [1][2] Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, Humana reported an adjusted net loss of $3.96 per share, slightly better than the expected loss of $4.00 per share. Revenue reached $32.52 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $32.04 billion [1] - For the full year 2025, adjusted earnings were $17.14 per share, an increase from $16.21 in 2024. The Insurance segment had a GAAP benefit ratio of 90.4%, slightly better than the guidance range of 90.1% to 90.5% [3] Earnings Guidance - Humana's 2026 adjusted earnings guidance is projected at a minimum of $9.00 per share, significantly below analyst expectations of $12.00. The company cited a decline primarily due to a Star Ratings headwind for Bonus Year 2026, net of mitigation efforts [2] Membership Growth - Despite the lower earnings outlook, Humana anticipates approximately 25% growth in individual Medicare Advantage membership in 2026, driven by new enrollments and improved retention [4] - The company also reported a 25% increase in Senior Primary Care patients within its CenterWell platform during 2025 [4]