The Medical group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Beam Therapeutics Inc. (BEAM) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Medical sector should help us answer this question.Beam Therapeutics Inc. is a member of our Medical group, which inclu ...

Core Insights - The article highlights recent research reports on major stocks including Tesla, UnitedHealth, Shopify, and Waterstone Financial, emphasizing their performance and market conditions [2][5][8][11][14]. Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) - Tesla's shares have outperformed the Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry over the past year, with a gain of 85.4% compared to the industry's 72.9% [5]. - The company is facing challenges with declining EV sales, recording its first annual decline in deliveries in 2024, which has continued into 2025 [5][6]. - Operating margins are shrinking, and expenses are rising, with Musk indicating that upcoming quarters may be difficult [6]. - The Energy Generation & Storage unit remains a strength, and the expansion of the Supercharger network is ongoing [6]. - Tesla has launched a robotaxi service, which has received mixed reactions, but the company sees potential for significant cost and scalability advantages [7]. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) - UnitedHealth's shares have underperformed the Zacks Medical - HMOs industry over the past year, declining by 37% compared to the industry's 31.3% [8]. - The company is experiencing cost pressures, higher medical utilization, and a significant debt burden, which threaten margin stability [8]. - The Medical Care Ratio (MCR) is expected to increase to 89.4% in 2025, and the earnings outlook for 2025 has been trimmed [8]. - Despite challenges, UnitedHealth benefits from balanced growth across its segments, driven by rising healthcare demand and disciplined execution [9][10]. Shopify Inc. (SHOP) - Shopify's shares have outperformed the Zacks Internet - Services industry over the past year, with a gain of 99.2% compared to the industry's 51% [11]. - The company is expanding its merchant base through new tools and AI-driven solutions, enhancing customer engagement and operational efficiency [11][12]. - Shopify's international growth, particularly in Europe, is a key catalyst for its prospects [12]. - However, the company faces gross margin pressure due to increased hosting costs and a new paid trial program, which may impact operating profit [13]. Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF) - Waterstone Financial's shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial - Savings and Loan industry over the past year, with a gain of 14.9% compared to the industry's 10.9% [14]. - The company demonstrated earnings resilience with a 35.2% year-over-year net income growth in Q2 2025, despite challenges in mortgage banking [14]. - Improved return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) indicate enhanced profitability driven by cost discipline [14]. - The Community Banking segment showed robust income growth, although mortgage banking remains a drag due to declining originations and rising non-accruals [15][16].

In the latest close session, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) was up +1.83% at $360.20. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.01%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.51%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.28%. The stock of largest U.S. health insurer has risen by 13.96% in the past month, leading the Medical sector's gain of 4.67% and the S&P 500's gain of 4.83%.The upcoming earnings release of UnitedHealth Group will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is exp ...

Group 1 - UnitedHealth Group (UNH) closed at $341.30, with a +1.37% increase, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.44% [1] - The stock has gained 9.52% over the past month, while the Medical sector and S&P 500 gained 1.25% and 4.03%, respectively [1] Group 2 - UnitedHealth Group's upcoming earnings report is expected to show earnings of $2.87 per share, a year-over-year decline of 59.86%, with revenue projected at $113.54 billion, a 12.61% increase [2] - For the entire year, earnings are forecasted at $16.21 per share and revenue at $448.87 billion, reflecting changes of -41.4% and +12.14% compared to the previous year [3] Group 3 - Recent revisions to analyst forecasts for UnitedHealth Group are important as they indicate changing near-term business trends, with positive revisions seen as a good sign for the business outlook [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which considers estimate changes, currently ranks UnitedHealth Group at 5 (Strong Sell), with the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate having decreased by 1.27% in the past month [5][6] Group 4 - UnitedHealth Group has a Forward P/E ratio of 20.77, which is a premium compared to the industry average of 14.87, and a PEG ratio of 2.17, while the Medical - HMOs industry has an average PEG ratio of 1.29 [7] - The Medical - HMOs industry is ranked 234 in the Zacks Industry Rank, placing it within the bottom 6% of over 250 industries, indicating weaker performance compared to higher-ranked industries [8]

Company Performance - UnitedHealth Group (UNH) closed at $347.89, reflecting a -1.31% change from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500 which gained 0.47% [1] - The stock has increased by 15.95% over the past month, outperforming the Medical sector's gain of 5.49% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.32% [1] Earnings Projections - Upcoming EPS for UnitedHealth Group is projected at $2.87, indicating a significant 59.86% decline compared to the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue is estimated at $113.54 billion, representing a 12.61% increase from the equivalent quarter last year [2] Annual Estimates - For the annual period, earnings are anticipated to be $16.21 per share, reflecting a -41.4% change from the previous year, while revenue is projected at $448.87 billion, showing a +12.14% increase [3] Analyst Estimates - Recent modifications to analyst estimates are crucial for understanding near-term business trends, with positive revisions indicating analysts' confidence in performance and profit potential [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which incorporates estimate changes, provides actionable ratings for investors [5] Zacks Rank and Valuation - UnitedHealth Group currently holds a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), with the consensus EPS estimate moving 1.34% lower over the past month [6] - The company has a Forward P/E ratio of 21.75, which is a premium compared to its industry's Forward P/E of 16.27, and a PEG ratio of 2.28, higher than the industry average of 1.35 [7] Industry Context - The Medical - HMOs industry is part of the Medical sector and currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 233, placing it in the bottom 6% of over 250 industries [8]

Core Viewpoint - Humana's recent earnings report indicates a mixed performance, with adjusted earnings per share missing estimates while revenues showed growth. The company faces challenges from rising benefit costs and a decline in Medicare Advantage membership, but the CenterWell unit's strong performance provides some offset [2][3][4]. Financial Performance - Humana reported Q2 2025 adjusted earnings of $6.27 per share, missing the consensus estimate by 0.8%, and a year-over-year decrease of 9.9% [2]. - Adjusted revenues reached $32.4 billion, reflecting a 10.2% year-over-year increase and surpassing the consensus mark by 1.9% [2]. - Total operating expenses rose to $31.3 billion, a 10.2% increase year-over-year, driven by higher benefits and operating costs [6]. Operational Insights - Premiums improved by 9.1% year-over-year to $30.7 billion, exceeding estimates [4]. - Services revenues climbed 27.3% year-over-year to $1.4 billion, also beating consensus estimates [4]. - The benefit ratio deteriorated by 70 basis points year-over-year to 89.7%, influenced by higher benefit ratios from state-based contracts and a decline in Medicare Advantage membership [5]. Segment Performance - The Insurance segment recorded adjusted revenues of $31.1 billion, up 9.6% year-over-year, supported by improved Medicare premiums and an expanding customer base [7]. - CenterWell revenues increased by 11.9% year-over-year to $5.5 billion, benefiting from higher pharmacy and primary care revenues [9]. Financial Position - As of June 30, 2025, Humana had cash and cash equivalents of $4 billion, an 81.9% increase from the end of 2024 [11]. - Total assets rose to $50.4 billion, an 8.3% increase from the previous year [11]. - Long-term debt increased to $12.6 billion, up 12.9% from December 31, 2024 [11]. Future Outlook - Adjusted EPS for 2025 is forecasted at around $17.00, up from a previous estimate of $16.25, indicating a 4.9% rise from 2024 [14]. - Revenues are estimated to be a minimum of $128 billion, reflecting an 8.7% increase from 2024 [15]. - Individual Medicare Advantage membership is expected to decline by up to 500,000 in 2025, while group membership is anticipated to remain flat [16].

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group's recent earnings report showed a decline in adjusted EPS and operating earnings, primarily due to rising medical costs, despite a year-over-year revenue increase. The stock has outperformed the S&P 500 by 14.2% since the last earnings report, but analysts are concerned about the sustainability of this positive trend leading up to the next earnings release [1][2]. Financial Performance - UnitedHealth reported Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $4.08, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.84, and reflecting a 40% decline year over year [3]. - Revenues increased by 12.9% year over year to $111.6 billion, slightly beating the consensus mark by 0.1% [3]. - The company's premium revenue rose to $87.9 billion from $76.9 billion a year ago, surpassing the consensus estimate by 0.8% [5]. - Medical care ratio (MCR) was 89.4%, worsening by 430 basis points from the previous year and exceeding the consensus estimate of 88.6% [6]. - Total operating costs reached $106.5 billion, a 17% increase year over year, driven by higher medical costs [7]. Business Segment Performance - UnitedHealthcare's revenues grew 17% year over year to $86.1 billion, driven by domestic commercial membership growth, beating the consensus estimate of $84.8 billion [9]. - Optum's revenues were $67.2 billion, a 6.8% year-over-year increase, although it fell short of the consensus mark of $67.5 billion [10]. - Medical membership reached 50.1 million, a 2.1% increase year over year, but missed the consensus estimate of 50.3 million [11]. Financial Position - As of June 30, 2025, UnitedHealth had cash and short-term investments of $32 billion, up from $29.1 billion at the end of 2024 [13]. - Total assets increased to $308.6 billion from $298.3 billion at the end of 2024 [13]. - Long-term debt rose to $73.5 billion from $72.4 billion at the end of 2024 [13]. - Total equity increased to $100.5 billion from $98.3 billion at the end of 2024 [14]. - Operating cash flows surged to $7.2 billion in Q2 from $2.2 billion a year ago [14]. Capital Deployment - UnitedHealth returned $4.5 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in Q2, with a 5% increase in the quarterly dividend rate announced in June [15]. 2025 Outlook - Management revised the adjusted net EPS projection for 2025 to at least $16, down from a previous range of $26-$26.50, while net earnings are expected to be at least $14.6 billion [16]. - Revenue projections for 2025 are now between $445.5 billion and $448 billion, an increase from $400.3 billion in 2024 [16]. - Operating cash flows are projected to be $16 billion, down from $24.2 billion in 2024 [16]. Estimate Trends - There has been a downward trend in estimates, with the consensus estimate shifting down by 41.69% recently [17]. - UnitedHealth currently holds a Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell), indicating expectations of below-average returns in the coming months [19]. Industry Comparison - UnitedHealth is part of the Zacks Medical - HMOs industry, where competitor Centene reported a revenue increase of 22.4% year over year, highlighting contrasting performance within the sector [20].

Company Overview - Cigna (CI) is a health insurer headquartered in Bloomfield, operating in the Medical sector with a year-to-date stock price change of -3.17% [3] Dividend Information - Cigna currently pays a dividend of $1.51 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.26%, which is significantly higher than the Medical - HMOs industry's yield of 0.74% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.48% [3] - The company's annualized dividend of $6.04 has increased by 7.9% from the previous year, with a total of five dividend increases over the last five years, averaging an annual increase of 81.54% [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cigna's earnings in 2025 is projected at $29.68 per share, indicating a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 8.60% [5] Investment Considerations - Cigna is positioned as a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), making it attractive for income investors [6]

Core Viewpoint - Select Medical (SEM) reported quarterly earnings of $0.32 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.28 per share, but down from $0.6 per share a year ago, indicating a mixed performance in earnings [1][2] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $1.34 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.50%, but down from $1.76 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Select Medical has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times and topped consensus revenue estimates three times [2] Stock Performance - Select Medical shares have declined approximately 23.2% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's gain of 8.2% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.20 on revenues of $1.32 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $1.14 on revenues of $5.37 billion [7] - The trend of estimate revisions for Select Medical was mixed ahead of the earnings release, which may change following the recent report [6] Industry Context - The Medical - HMOs industry, to which Select Medical belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 5% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead [8]

Company Performance - Cigna reported quarterly earnings of $7.2 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.14 per share, and up from $6.72 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +0.84% [1] - The company posted revenues of $67.13 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.09%, compared to revenues of $60.47 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Cigna has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates four times [2] Stock Outlook - Cigna shares have increased approximately 7.9% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 8.2% [3] - The company's earnings outlook, including current consensus earnings expectations for upcoming quarters, will be crucial for investors [4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $7.93 on revenues of $64.08 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $29.68 on revenues of $258.19 billion [7] Industry Context - The Medical - HMOs industry, to which Cigna belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 5% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating potential challenges ahead [8] - Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact Cigna's stock performance [5][6]