Humana, Centene Maintain 2020 Guidance Despite Crisis
Humana Inc. and Centene Corp. are both maintaining their 2020 earnings outlook despite the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic contraction at the end of the first quarter. Centene’s earnings fell short of the Wall Street consensus projection for the first quarter, while Humana’s earnings exceeded forecasts.
Humana’s revenues increased to $18.9 billion, compared with $16.1 billion in the first quarter of 2019, and it reported $5.40 in adjusted earnings per share (EPS), beating the Wall Street consensus of $4.66 adjusted EPS. Centene’s first quarter revenues increased 41% year-over-year to $26 billion, up from $18.4 billion, and it reported an adjusted EPS of $0.86. Centene fell short of the consensus with $0.99 adjusted EPS. Both insurers affirmed their projections for the end of the year, with Humana forecasting adjusted EPS of $18.25 to $18.75 and Centene $4.56 to $4.76.