Anthem, Inc. (NYSE:ANTM) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Thursday. The brokerage currently has a $219.00 target price on the stock. Zacks Investment Research‘s price objective would indicate a potential upside of 13.66% from the company’s previous close.
According to Zacks, “Anthem’s shares have outperformed the industry in last one year. The company’s diverse product portfolio has helped in improving underwriting results. Anthem’s strategic acquisitions, divestures and ACO arrangements further pave the way for long-term growth. The company’s strong capital position backs effective capital deployment. The company’s frequent share buyback programs and regular dividend payments primarily aim at enhancing shareholders’ value. In last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2017 and 2018 has revised upward. Followed by strong results in first half of 2017, the company has raised the earnings and revenue guidance for 2017. However, the company’s high-debt level poses financial risk. Rising interest expenses may hurt margins. Also, the company’s weak public exchange business continues to bother.”
A number of other analysts have also commented on ANTM. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $136.00 price target on shares of Anthem in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Anthem in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $196.00 price target for the company. Bank of America Corporation lifted their price target on shares of 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 lifted their price target on shares of Anthem from $173.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. Finally, Citigroup Inc. reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $205.00 price target on shares of Anthem in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. The stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $183.83.
Anthem (NYSE:ANTM) opened at 192.68 on Thursday. Anthem has a 12-month low of $114.85 and a 12-month high of $196.48. The company has a market capitalization of $50.59 billion, a PE ratio of 18.22 and a beta of 0.73. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $190.92 and a 200 day moving average of $178.75.
Anthem (NYSE:ANTM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 26th. The company reported $3.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $22.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.25 billion. Anthem had a net margin of 3.24% and a return on equity of 12.93%. Anthem’s revenue was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.33 EPS. Analysts forecast that Anthem will post $11.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.
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In other Anthem news, EVP Thomas C. Zielinski sold 9,127 shares of Anthem stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.25, for a total transaction of $1,745,538.75. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 26,571 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,081,703.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Ronald W. Penczek sold 867 shares of Anthem stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $187.46, for a total transaction of $162,527.82. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,872 shares in the company, valued at approximately $350,925.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 13,199 shares of company stock worth $2,494,862. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in shares of Anthem by 31.1% in the first quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 7,002 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,158,000 after buying an additional 1,660 shares in the last quarter. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. increased its position in shares of Anthem by 2.3% in the first quarter. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. now owns 108,731 shares of the company’s stock valued at $17,982,000 after buying an additional 2,459 shares in the last quarter. Financial Architects Inc increased its position in shares of Anthem by 90.4% in the first quarter. Financial Architects Inc now owns 1,285 shares of the company’s stock valued at $213,000 after buying an additional 610 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in shares of Anthem by 1.2% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,206,941 shares of the company’s stock valued at $199,684,000 after buying an additional 14,076 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gamble Jones Investment Counsel purchased a new position in shares of Anthem during the first quarter valued at $206,000. 89.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Anthem Company Profile
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.
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