Humana Lifts 2026 Profit Outlook Again

Humana raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to at least $9.50, up from at least $9.00, after the insurer's Insurance segment benefit ratio came in at 93.7% in the third quarter, better than management's own guidance of "slightly above 94%." The health insurer ($HUM) also lifted GAAP EPS guidance to at least $15.09 from at least $6.52. The beat capped a strong quarter for insurers broadly, with Medicare Advantage costs running cooler than feared.