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Rocket, Oscar, Hims & Hers: Short Sellers Are Playing With Fire
Benzinga· 2025-08-25 18:26
Core Viewpoint - The most shorted stocks on Wall Street, including Rocket Companies Inc, Oscar Health Inc, and Hims & Hers Health Inc, are positioned precariously, with significant short interest indicating potential for volatility and short squeezes [1][2][6]. Group 1: Company Performance - Rocket Companies has seen a remarkable increase of over 75% year-to-date, with a market capitalization nearing $40 billion and 37% of its shares sold short [3]. - Oscar Health has rebounded with a 25% increase this year, maintaining a short interest just under 30% and only 1.5 days to cover, indicating a potential for a quick squeeze [4]. - Hims & Hers has experienced a staggering 170% rise over the past year, although it has recently pulled back nearly 25%. It has a market cap of $9.7 billion and 35% of its float remains shorted, making it a high-risk short position [5]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The current market environment is characterized by high short interest ratios and thin days to cover, suggesting that Rocket, Oscar, and Hims could transition from being heavily shorted to experiencing significant upward momentum if retail traders engage [2][6]. - The presence of retail traders looking for the next potential squeeze adds to the volatility of these stocks, making them susceptible to rapid price changes [2][6].
UnitedHealth Invests in Behavioral Health: A Bet on Future Demand?
ZACKS· 2025-08-25 17:16
Core Insights - UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is focusing on expanding its behavioral health services through its Optum division, which includes virtual coaching and digital therapy platforms, aligning with the increasing recognition of mental health as essential to overall health [1][3][9] Group 1: Behavioral Health Expansion - UNH is enhancing access to mental health care by integrating behavioral health into primary care, which could lead to lower long-term costs and improved member satisfaction [3][4] - The Optum segment is forming strategic partnerships with companies like Calm, Equip, AbleTo, and Supportiv to improve access to mental health care [2][9] Group 2: Competitor Landscape - Competitors like Elevance Health and Humana are also expanding their digital behavioral health services, with Elevance's Carelon segment reporting a 36% year-over-year revenue increase in Q2 2025, while Humana's CenterWell segment saw an 11.9% rise [5][6][7] Group 3: Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, UNH's Optum business reported a 5.8% year-over-year revenue growth [4][9] - UNH's shares have declined by 39.2% year-to-date, compared to a 30.8% decline in the industry [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNH's 2025 earnings is $16.21 per share, indicating a 41.4% decrease from the previous year [12]
CNC STOCK ALERT: Centene Corporation Investors may have been Affected by Fraud -- Contact BFA Law by September 8 about the Class Action (NYSE:CNC)
GlobeNewswire News Room· 2025-08-25 12:37
Core Viewpoint - A lawsuit has been filed against Centene Corporation and its senior executives for potential violations of federal securities laws, with claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [1][2]. Company Overview - Centene Corporation is a healthcare company that provides services to consumers enrolled in government-sponsored healthcare programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, as well as those purchasing insurance under the Affordable Care Act [3]. Financial Guidance and Performance - On December 12, 2024, Centene announced financial guidance for fiscal year 2025, claiming stability in earnings despite challenges [4]. - The company increased its 2025 guidance on February 4, 2025, citing enrollment overperformance, and again on April 25, 2025, due to strong growth in enrollment and retention [4]. - However, the actual market conditions showed lower than expected enrollment growth and increased morbidity rates in the majority of the states Centene serves [4]. Stock Market Reaction - On July 1, 2025, Centene withdrew its previous guidance after an independent actuarial report revealed lower than expected market growth and higher morbidity rates, leading to a significant stock price drop of $22.87 per share, or over 40%, from $56.65 to $33.78 [5].
5 No-Brainer Warren Buffett Stocks to Buy Right Now -- Including Amazon.com
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-24 16:15
Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway has shifted its investment strategy to include technology stocks, which was previously avoided by Warren Buffett [1][2] Group 1: Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio Highlights - Berkshire Hathaway owns approximately 10 million shares of Amazon, indicating a significant investment in the tech sector [4] - Amazon's growth potential is substantial, with a forward P/E ratio of 34, below its five-year average of 46, making it an attractive investment [5] - Lennar, a major American homebuilder, is a new holding for Berkshire, with a promising long-term outlook due to the demand for affordable housing [6][8] - Lennar's shares have a price-to-sales ratio of 1 and a forward P/E of 13, suggesting reasonable pricing [8] - Chevron is Berkshire's fifth-largest holding, with nearly 7% ownership, and offers a dividend yield of 4.5% [9] - Chevron's forward P/E is 20, slightly above its five-year average of 14, indicating potential overvaluation [11] - UnitedHealth Group is a new addition to Berkshire's portfolio, currently facing challenges but seen as a potential buying opportunity due to demographic trends favoring healthcare [12] Group 2: Berkshire Hathaway as an Investment - Investing in Berkshire Hathaway itself is recommended, as it is expected to continue growing over time, despite potential changes in management [13][14] - Berkshire does not currently pay a dividend, but future management may consider this option [14]
Some of Wall Street's Most Prominent Billionaires and Hedge Funds Think They Have Found an Asymmetric Opportunity
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-24 12:13
Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group has attracted significant interest from prominent hedge funds and billionaires despite facing challenges, indicating a potential asymmetric investment opportunity as they believe the upside outweighs the downside [3][4][16]. Investment Activity - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a position worth over $1.5 billion in UnitedHealth at the end of Q2, reflecting a value investment strategy [4]. - Appaloosa Management increased its stake by 1,300%, from 175,000 shares to 2.45 million shares, valued at over $764 million [6]. - Scion Asset Management purchased $12 million worth of stock and 350,000 long call options, indicating optimism about the stock's future performance [7]. - Lone Pine Capital and Renaissance Technologies also made significant purchases, acquiring over 1.69 million and approximately 1.35 million shares, respectively [8]. Company Challenges - UnitedHealth has faced higher-than-expected medical costs due to sector-wide trends, which are expected to significantly depress earnings, with management guiding for at least $16 adjusted EPS, down from about $27.66 last year [10][11]. - The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating UnitedHealth for potential issues related to Medicare Advantage billing practices, although management is cooperating and confident in their compliance [12]. Financial Position - Despite challenges, UnitedHealth remains the largest health insurer in the U.S. with pricing power and a solid financial footing, with a dividend yield of about 2.9% and a trailing-12-month free cash flow yield close to 9% [13][14]. - The stock trades at about 19 times forward earnings estimates, which is below the average seen over the last two and a half years, suggesting a favorable risk-reward proposition [16][18].
After Nearly Dumping His Entire Portfolio, "The Big Short's" Michael Burry Just Bought 2 Abandoned Stocks Down at Least 40% This Year
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-24 09:24
分组1: Michael Burry and Scion Asset Management - Michael Burry gained recognition for betting against the housing market before the Great Recession, purchasing credit default swaps on mortgage bonds that paid out significantly [1] - In early 2023, Scion Asset Management sold nearly its entire portfolio and bought put options on large tech and AI stocks like Nvidia, which proved to be a timely decision as the stock market faced a downturn [2] - Scion's Q2 13F filing indicated a shift in strategy, with Burry becoming a significant buyer of stocks that had declined at least 40% this year [3] 分组2: UnitedHealth - UnitedHealth, the largest healthcare insurer in the U.S., has faced a challenging year, with its stock down nearly 41% as of August 20, primarily due to underestimated medical costs projected to be $6.5 billion higher than expected for 2025 [5][6] - The company revised its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) guidance for 2025 down to $16 from an initial estimate of $29.50 to $30 [6] - Despite challenges, hedge funds including Scion purchased shares in Q2, with Burry acquiring about 20,000 shares and 350,000 shares through long call options [7] - UnitedHealth maintains significant pricing power and generated enough earnings to manage debt payments, with a free cash flow yield over 9% and a dividend yield close to 3% [8] 分组3: Lululemon - Lululemon's stock has declined nearly 47% this year due to rising competition, tariffs, cautious consumer spending, and a slowdown in the exercise market post-COVID-19 [9] - Despite the stock's decline, Burry and Scion purchased 50,000 shares in Q2 and a total of 400,000 shares through long call options [10] - Lululemon reported EPS and revenue exceeding Wall Street estimates in its first fiscal quarter of 2025, but management lowered its full-year EPS guidance to $14.58 to $14.78 from $14.95 to $15.15 [11] - The company has a strong financial position with $1.3 billion in cash and no debt, and plans modest price increases to address tariff impacts, suggesting potential long-term opportunities despite near-term challenges [11]
CNC CLASS REMINDER: Suffer Losses on Your Centene Corporation Investment? Contact BFA Law before the September 8 Court Deadline (NYSE:CNC)
GlobeNewswire News Room· 2025-08-23 11:08
Core Viewpoint - A lawsuit has been filed against Centene Corporation and its senior executives for potential violations of federal securities laws, with claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [1][2]. Company Overview - Centene Corporation is a healthcare company that provides services to consumers enrolled in government-sponsored healthcare programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, as well as those purchasing insurance under the Affordable Care Act [3]. Financial Guidance and Performance - On December 12, 2024, Centene announced financial guidance for fiscal year 2025, claiming stability in earnings despite challenges [4]. - The company increased its 2025 guidance on February 4, 2025, citing enrollment overperformance, and again on April 25, 2025, due to strong growth in enrollment and retention [4]. - However, the actual market conditions showed lower than expected enrollment growth and increased morbidity rates in the majority of the states Centene serves [4]. Stock Market Reaction - On July 1, 2025, Centene withdrew its previous guidance after an independent actuarial report revealed lower than expected market growth and higher morbidity rates, leading to a significant stock price drop of $22.87 per share, or over 40%, from $56.65 to $33.78 [5].
Billionaires Warren Buffett and David Tepper and "Big Short" Investor Michael Burry Just Bought UnitedHealth Group Stock. Should You?
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-23 08:44
Group 1: Investment Interest - Notable investors Warren Buffett, David Tepper, and Michael Burry have recently purchased shares of UnitedHealth Group, indicating a strong interest in the stock [2][4][6] - Buffett's new position in UnitedHealth Group for Berkshire Hathaway is significant, as it marks his first major stock purchase after 11 consecutive quarters of being a net seller [4][10] - Tepper increased his stake in UnitedHealth Group by 1,300% in Q2, making it the second-largest position in his hedge fund's portfolio, accounting for nearly 12% of total assets [5] Group 2: Stock Valuation - UnitedHealth Group's shares are currently over 50% below their peak value from Q4 2024, presenting a potential buying opportunity [8] - The company's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 13, the lowest valuation in over a decade, suggesting it is available at a steep discount [8] Group 3: Company Challenges - The decline in UnitedHealth Group's stock price is attributed to an unexpected drop in earnings, primarily due to higher-than-anticipated medical costs, particularly in Medicare Advantage plans [9] - The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting investigations into UnitedHealth Group's Medicare billing practices, although the company has expressed confidence in its practices and is cooperating with the investigations [10][12] Group 4: Future Outlook - Investors like Buffett, Tepper, and Burry likely view the current challenges as temporary, believing in a strong rebound for UnitedHealth Group over time [10][11] - The company plans to address its higher medical costs by raising premiums, with most increases set to take effect in 2026 [12]
Lost Money on Centene Corporation(CNC)? Join Class Action Suit Seeking Recovery – Contact Levi & Korsinsky
GlobeNewswire News Room· 2025-08-22 20:41
Core Viewpoint - Centene Corporation is facing a class action securities lawsuit due to alleged securities fraud that affected investors between December 12, 2024, and June 30, 2025 [1] Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit claims that Centene's management provided overly positive statements while concealing material adverse facts regarding the company's enrollment and morbidity rates [2] - On July 1, 2025, Centene withdrew its 2025 guidance, revealing that its market growth across 22 states was lower than expected, leading to a revised guidance of approximately $1.8 billion and an adjusted diluted EPS of $2.75 [2] - Following this announcement, Centene's stock price plummeted from $56.65 per share on July 1, 2025, to $33.78 per share on July 2, 2025, marking a decline of 40.4% [2] Group 2: Next Steps for Investors - Investors who suffered losses during the relevant timeframe have until September 8, 2025, to request to be appointed as lead plaintiff, although participation in any recovery does not require serving as a lead plaintiff [3] - Class members may be entitled to compensation without any out-of-pocket costs or fees [3] Group 3: Firm Background - Levi & Korsinsky has a history of securing hundreds of millions of dollars for shareholders and has been recognized as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States for seven consecutive years [4]
Can Elevance Health's Value-Based Care Strategy Fuel Long-Term Growth?
ZACKS· 2025-08-22 17:55
Core Insights - Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) is focusing on expanding its value-based care model, which emphasizes patient outcomes rather than the quantity of care provided [1][2] - The company is particularly enhancing its value-based care offerings in behavioral health and oncology through its Carelon business, which integrates various healthcare services [2][8] Company Performance - Elevance Health's care delivery services target chronic and complex populations, providing tailored care both at home and virtually [3] - The acquisition of CareBridge in 2024 allows the company to offer virtual care to Medicaid and Medicare patients, enhancing its management of home and community-based services [3] - In the last reported quarter, Medicare Advantage memberships increased by 11% year over year, while total revenues rose by 13.4% [4][8] Competitive Landscape - Competitors such as UnitedHealth Group and Humana are also expanding in the value-based care space, with UnitedHealth's Optum division reporting a 5.8% year-over-year revenue growth in the first half of 2025 [5] - Humana's CenterWell business saw an 8.9% year-over-year revenue increase in the same period [6] Valuation and Estimates - Elevance Health's shares have decreased by 14.1% year-to-date, contrasting with a 0.7% decline in the industry [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 9.62, significantly lower than the industry average of 15.16, and currently holds a Value Score of A [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Elevance Health's 2025 earnings is $30.15 per share, indicating an 8.8% decline from the previous year [11]