Barometer Capital Management Inc. Invests $18.74 Million in Anthem, Inc. (NYSE:ANTM)

Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Anthem, Inc. (NYSE:ANTM) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 99,600 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,738,000. Anthem makes up about 1.9% of Barometer Capital Management Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FTB Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Anthem by 11.1% in the first quarter. FTB Advisors Inc. now owns 668 shares of the company’s stock worth $117,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Anthem by 33.6% in the first quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 795 shares of the company’s stock worth $131,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Focused Wealth Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of Anthem during the first quarter worth about $149,000. Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America increased its position in shares of Anthem by 0.7% in the first quarter. Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America now owns 1,016 shares of the company’s stock worth $168,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the period. Finally, Cedar Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Anthem by 1.7% in the second quarter. Cedar Wealth Management LLC now owns 908 shares of the company’s stock worth $171,000 after buying an additional 15 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 88.70% of the company’s stock.

Anthem, Inc. (NYSE:ANTM) traded down 0.16% during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $190.35. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 344,814 shares. The stock has a market cap of $50.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.44 and a beta of 0.73. Anthem, Inc. has a 52-week low of $114.85 and a 52-week high of $194.94. The company’s 50 day moving average is $189.74 and its 200-day moving average is $171.52.

Anthem (NYSE:ANTM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $4.68 EPS for the quarter, beating the Thomson Reuters’ consensus estimate of $3.85 by $0.83. Anthem had a return on equity of 13.13% and a net margin of 3.19%. The business had revenue of $22.32 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.23 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.46 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Anthem, Inc. will post $11.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on ANTM shares. BidaskClub downgraded Anthem from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Jefferies Group LLC reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $204.00 price target on shares of Anthem in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Bank of America Corporation increased their price target on Anthem from $224.00 to $228.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Deutsche Bank AG increased their price target on Anthem from $173.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group started coverage on Anthem in a research note on Wednesday, July 12th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $195.00 price target for the company. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. The stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $174.26.

In other news, Director Ramiro G. Peru sold 2,681 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.58, for a total value of $486,815.98. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 13,571 shares in the company, valued at $2,464,222.18. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Julie A. Hill sold 555 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.56, for a total value of $100,210.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 37,448 shares in the company, valued at $6,761,610.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 4,103 shares of company stock worth $749,555 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

About Anthem

Anthem, Inc is a health benefits company. The Company operates through three segments: Commercial and Specialty Business, Government Business and Other. It offers a spectrum of network-based managed care plans to large and small employer, individual, Medicaid and Medicare markets. Its managed care plans include preferred provider organizations; health maintenance organizations; point-of-service plans; indemnity plans and other hybrid plans, including consumer-driven health plans; and hospital only and limited benefit products.