Humana (HUM): Today's Featured Health Services Winner

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

Humana (HUM) pushed the Health Services industry higher today making it today's featured health services winner. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.5%. By the end of trading, Humana rose $1.22 (1.8%) to $67.47 on average volume. Throughout the day, 1.9 million shares of Humana exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of two million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $66.45-$67.74 after having opened the day at $66.76 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $66.25. Other companies within the Health Services industry that increased today were: Edap TMS (EDAP), up 10.6%, Medical Action Industries (MDCI), up 8%, TearLab Corpoartion (TEAR), up 7.8%, and Hooper Holmes (HH), up 6.5%.

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Humana Inc. operates as a health care company that offers a range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. Humana has a market cap of $10.83 billion and is part of the health care sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 9.1, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 0.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 14 analysts that rate Humana a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and seven rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Humana as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and attractive valuation levels. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow.

• You can view the full Humana Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Accuray (ARAY), down 20.2%, MGC Diagnostics (MGCD), down 10.2%, CombiMatrix Corporation (CBMX), down 7%, and Misonix (MSON), down 6.8%, were all laggards within the health services industry with Varian Medical Systems (VAR) being today's health services industry laggard.

• Use our health services section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the health services industry could consider Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) while those bearish on the health services industry could consider ProShares Ultra Short Health Care (RXD).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

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For more information on Humana click any of the following:

• Humana Stock Price

• Humana Analyst Ratings

• Humana Key Stats & Profile

• Humana Earnings

• Humana Ratio Comparison

• Humana Growth Rates

• Humana Balance Sheet

• Humana Cash Flow

• Humana Income Statement