Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.12 EPS

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) released its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.12, FiscalAI reports. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 0.42% and a return on equity of 8.76%. The business had revenue of $10.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.83 billion.

Molina Healthcare Stock Performance

Shares of Molina Healthcare stock traded down $3.40 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $223.13. 2,172,678 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,537,905. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $205.04 and a 200-day moving average price of $176.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 66.02 and a beta of 0.74. Molina Healthcare has a 1-year low of $121.06 and a 1-year high of $244.89.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Maurice Hebert sold 600 shares of Molina Healthcare stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.55, for a total transaction of $114,930.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 12,815 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,454,713.25. This trade represents a 4.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jeff D. Barlow sold 17,811 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $186.12, for a total value of $3,314,983.32. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 67,175 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,502,611. This trade represents a 20.96% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 1.44% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its stake in Molina Healthcare by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 13,668 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,616,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its position in Molina Healthcare by 0.6% during the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 16,753 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,206,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 96.1% during the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 249 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the period. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 9.9% in the fourth quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 1,416 shares of the company’s stock valued at $246,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in shares of Molina Healthcare in the second quarter valued at approximately $48,000. 98.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MOH shares. Weiss Ratings upgraded Molina Healthcare from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Thursday, June 25th. Barclays reduced their price target on Molina Healthcare from $199.00 to $184.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on Molina Healthcare from $216.00 to $248.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price target on Molina Healthcare from $144.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein set a $286.00 price objective on Molina Healthcare in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $207.06.

About Molina Healthcare

Molina Healthcare, Inc is a managed care company specializing in government-sponsored health insurance programs. The company offers Medicaid managed care plans, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, and individual Marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act. Through an integrated care model, Molina emphasizes preventive and primary care services, care coordination, and disease management to improve health outcomes for its members.

The company traces its roots to the early 1980s, when Dr.