Option chain shows key data for HealthEquity's stock options at various strike prices and expiration dates. Traders use this information to analyze potential trades and assess market sentiment for HealthEquity.

HealthEquity (NASDAQ:HQY) Stock, Option Chain

HealthEquity

HealthEquity Inc provides solutions that allow consumers to make healthcare saving and spending decisions. It provides payment processing services, personalized benefit information, the ability to earn wellness incentives, and investment advice to grow their tax-advantaged healthcare savings. It manages consumers' tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSAs) and other consumer-directed benefits (CDBs) offered by employers, including flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements (FSAs and HRAs), and administers Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), commuter and other benefits. It also provides investment advisory services to customers whose account balances exceed a certain threshold. HealthEquity generates its revenue in the United States.

Johnson&amp;Johnson.Shutterstock

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This Johnson &amp; Johnson Analyst Begins Coverage On A Bullish Note; Here Are Top 5 Initiations For Friday

Medicaid.Healthcare

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CLOV

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Large Cap Value Index Fund

Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings

Trump&#39;s second term could bring significant changes to U.S. healthcare, with cuts to ACA subsidies and potential Medicare privatization.

Donald Trump&#39;s Second Term Could Reshape US Healthcare System, With Major Impacts on Affordable Care Act And Medicare

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

TSLA


The presidential election for the United States, probably one of the most awaited events and catalysts in the stock market for the year, is now over and Donald Trump is the President-Elect. The market and different

Russell 2000 Surge Post-Election: How to Play the Small-Cap Pop

HealthEquity Inc

Live On CNBC, Karen Firestone Announces Trimmed HealthEquity Position

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/66585980a3067c00012c48c0/david-roman">Goldman Sachs analyst David Roman </a>initiated coverage on HealthEquity, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) with a Neutral rating and announced a price target of $108. HealthEquity shares closed at $95.70 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HQY/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Wolfe Research analyst Alexandria Hammond initiated coverage on Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) with an Underperform rating and announced a price target of $25. Pfizer shares closed at $26.02 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PFE/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/analyst-ratings/24/10/41494343/analyst-expectations-for-mastecs-future">Stifel analyst Brian Brophy</a> initiated coverage on EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EME#NYSE">EME</a>) with a Buy rating and announced a price target of $600. EMCOR shares closed at $498.11 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/EME/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Redburn Atlantic analyst Harry Read initiated coverage on Insight Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSIT#NASDAQ">NSIT</a>) with a Buy rating and announced a price target of $220. Insight Enterprises shares closed at $152.63 on Thursday. See how other analysts view this stock.</li>
<li>Wolfe Research analyst Alexandria Hammond initiated coverage on Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) with an Outperform rating and announced a price target of $190. Johnson &amp; Johnson shares closed at $151.87 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JNJ/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
Considering buying JNJ stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="569" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/15072028/image-169-1024x569.png" alt="" class="wp-image-650063" style="width:716px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/15072028/image-169-1024x569.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/15072028/image-169-300x167.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/15072028/image-169-768x427.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/15072028/image-169.png 1196w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Read More: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/42000528/dow-dips-over-200-points-following-economic-reports-tesla-tumbles-on-potential-removal-of-ev-tax-credit-fear-index-remains-in-greed-zone">Dow Dips Over 200 Points Following Economic Reports, Tesla Tumbles On Potential Removal Of EV Tax Credit: Fear Index Remains In &#8216;Greed&#8217; Zone</a></li>
</ul>

This Johnson & Johnson Analyst Begins Coverage On A Bullish Note; Here Are Top 5 Initiations For Friday

Goldman Sachs analyst David Roman initiates coverage on HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) with a Neutral rating and announces Price Target of $108.

Price Target

Goldman Sachs Initiates Coverage On HealthEquity with Neutral Rating, Announces Price Target of $108

BTIG analyst David Larsen maintains HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $110 to $130.

BTIG Maintains Buy on HealthEquity, Raises Price Target to $130

8 analysts have expressed a variety of opinions on HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) over the past quarter, offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish.
In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $104.38, along with a high estimate of $120.00 and a low estimate of $92.00. Observing a 1.95% increase, the current average has risen from the previous average price target of $102.38. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1731531712_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
A clear picture of HealthEquity's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Allen Lutz</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexander Paris</td>
<td>Barrington Research</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexander Paris</td>
<td>Barrington Research</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>George Hill</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$103.00</td>
<td>$102.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Constantine Davides</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sean Dodge</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$92.00</td>
<td>$92.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Allen Lutz</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexander Paris</td>
<td>Barrington Research</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to HealthEquity. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of HealthEquity compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of HealthEquity's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into HealthEquity's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HQY/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on HealthEquity analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>All You Need to Know About HealthEquity</h2>
HealthEquity Inc provides solutions that allow consumers to make healthcare saving and spending decisions. It provides payment processing services, personalized benefit information, the ability to earn wellness incentives, and investment advice to grow their tax-advantaged healthcare savings. It manages consumers' tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSAs) and other consumer-directed benefits (CDBs) offered by employers, including flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements (FSAs and HRAs), and administers Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), commuter and other benefits. It also provides investment advisory services to customers whose account balances exceed a certain threshold. HealthEquity generates its revenue in the United States.
<h3>HealthEquity's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company exhibits a lower market capitalization profile, positioning itself below industry averages. This suggests a smaller scale relative to peers.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining HealthEquity's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 23.15% as of 31 July, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Health Care sector.
Net Margin: HealthEquity's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 11.94%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 1.68%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 1.06%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: HealthEquity's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 0.54, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: What Are They?</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

In-Depth Examination Of 8 Analyst Recommendations For HealthEquity

B of A Securities analyst Allen Lutz maintains HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $100 to $120.

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on HealthEquity, Raises Price Target to $120

HealthEquity, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) ("HealthEquity" or the "Company"), the nation's largest health savings account ("HSA") custodian, today announced that after leading the company for more than 15 years, Jon Kessler, President and Chief Executive Officer, has decided to retire effective January 6, 2025. Mr. Kessler will remain a director and act a special advisor to the Company through April 30, 2025. To succeed Mr. Kessler, the Company announced the appointment of Scott Cutler, who will join HealthEquity as President and CEO and as a director effective January 6, 2025.
HealthEquity management will host a conference call for investors on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time during which management will discuss the transition and succession plan.

Management

HealthEquity Announces Retirement of CEO Jon Kessler; Scott Cutler Appointed Successor, Effective January 6, 2025

On Wednesday, Donald Trump, the Republican candidate and former president, was elected to the highest office again, marking a return to an administration. His second term is likely to impact U.S. healthcare.
Trump has been unclear about his healthcare policy goals during his campaign. Healthcare <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/health-care-in-2024-elections-apvotecast-polling/?entry=kff-analysis-of-ap-votecast-abortion-ballot-initiatives" rel="noreferrer noopener">ranked</a> lower than issues like the economy and immigration in voter concerns.
A <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-votecast-elections-harris-trump-voters-d5cf4e3611f50ec4349d93ddc7f037cd" rel="noreferrer noopener">poll</a> from the Associated Press found that only 8% of voters viewed healthcare as their top issue, compared to 39% who chose the economy and 20% who picked immigration. Abortion was the leading issue for 11% of voters.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41822473/trumps-potential-health-czar-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rattles-vaccine-stocks-shoot-first-reaction" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s Potential &#8216;Health Czar&#8217; Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rattles Vaccine Stocks: &#8216;Shoot First Reaction&#8217;</a>
Despite his focus on &#8220;Make America Healthy Again,&#8221; millions of Americans may lose health insurance subsidies next year, depending on the political climate after the election and the Republicans&#8217; control of the Senate.
The subsidies, expanded under the 2021 American Rescue Plan, help many, particularly the middle class, afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
These subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2025, and it remains uncertain whether they will be extended under the new administration.
Trump and other Republicans have opposed continuing the subsidies.
The NBC News <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/millions-risk-losing-health-insurance-trumps-victory-rcna179146" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>, citing some analysts, suggests that the chances of extension could be less than 5% if Republicans win control of the House and the Senate.
Even if Democrats control the House, extending these subsidies seems unlikely. Without an extension, nearly 4 million Americans could lose coverage by 2026 due to unaffordable premiums.
The 2021 changes led to a surge in ACA enrollment, with 15.5 million people benefiting from subsidies across 32 states. The report adds that if the subsidies aren&#8217;t renewed, up to 15.4 million Americans could lose health coverage by 2030.
Another significant issue is Trump&#8217;s stance on Medicare. As president, he supported Medicare Advantage, a private insurer-run program that could eventually replace traditional, government-run Medicare.
The NPR report <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/11/07/nx-s1-5183092/trump-election-2024-medicare-advantage" rel="noreferrer noopener">highlights</a> that critics argue that expanding private insurers could increase costs for taxpayers and limit care, with some beneficiaries finding it difficult to switch back to traditional Medicare.
Robert Berenson, a former government official, warned that traditional Medicare could &#8220;wither on the vine.&#8221;
Medicare Advantage grew with the 2003 legislation introducing a drug benefit and expanded private insurers&#8217; role in the program. Although private plans were expected to lower costs, they have been more expensive.
The report also says that in 2023, Medicare Advantage plans cost taxpayers about 6% — or $27 billion — more than traditional Medicare, though some research suggests they offer better care.
The future of healthcare policy in the U.S. will depend on the political dynamics in Congress and Trump&#8217;s second term.
With Republicans pushing for major changes to the ACA and Medicare, experts warn of significant shifts in how Americans access and pay for healthcare in the coming years.
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Photo via Shutterstock

Donald Trump's Second Term Could Reshape US Healthcare System, With Major Impacts on Affordable Care Act And Medicare

The Medical Services sector is experiencing significant evolution driven by innovation and digital applications. Growing demand for remote treatment has led to a tremendous upsurge in digital healthcare options over the past few years. Demand for digital healthcare treatment continues to grow in the form of telemedicine-focused online medical and AI-powered technology services backed by the adoption of data and analytics.
According to a recent Mordor Intelligence report, the global healthcare analytics market is expected to surpass $130 billion by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 22.9% from 2024 to 2029. Primary stakeholders &mdash; payers, healthcare professionals and patients &mdash; will benefit from all-new insights, services and levels of experience that next-generation healthcare-related data and analytical capabilities provide. Stocks like Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/elv#NYSE">ELV</a>), Doximity (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/docs#NYSE">DOCS</a>)&nbsp;and HealthEquity (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hqy#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) are expected to gain the most from the rapidly transforming healthcare services landscape.
However, in the post-pandemic era, manual workforce shortage within healthcare has become a worldwide problem, weighing heavily on healthcare infrastructure. According to an August 2024 report by Mercer, there will be a deficit of more than 100,000 healthcare workers in the United States by 2028. Within this, nursing assistants will have the biggest projected deficit compared to other healthcare occupations, signaling the need to improve talent attraction and retention strategies for this segment. By 2028, Mercer expects a projected deficit of over 73,000 nursing assistants nationwide. This has led to increased labor cost and health expenses.
Industry Description
The Zacks Medical Services industry comprises third-party service providers and caregivers appointed by core healthcare companies for economies of scale. The industry includes pharmacy benefit managers, contract research organizations, wireless MedTech companies, third-party testing labs, surgical facility providers and healthcare workforce solution providers, among others. Over the years, this industry has strategically moved from volume- to value-based care. This changing pattern of care calls for advanced facilities, thus increasing the need to appoint specialized external service providers. With the growing importance of effective healthcare management, the medical service industry has become an integral part of the modern healthcare system.
3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Medical Services Industry
Digital Revolution: With an increase in the adoption of digital platforms within the medical device space, remote monitoring, robotic surgeries, big-data analytics, 3D printing and electronic health records are gaining prominence in the United States. A 2024 digital health market report by Statista suggests that this market will witness a 9.2% CAGR from 2024 to 2028, resulting in a projected market volume of $275 billion by 2028. Other reports suggest that companies that adopted artificial intelligence technologies witnessed a 50% reduction in treatment costs and experienced more than 50% improvement in patient outcomes.
Revival in Nursing Care Market: With rising cognizance about the benefits of specialized medical caregiving, the need for healthcare workforce/staffing service providers has increased significantly. Despite challenges like workforce shortages and increased costs, the market is rebounding post-pandemic. Factors such as rising chronic diseases, healthcare awareness and strategic initiatives by companies and governments drive this growth. For example, the demand for nurses has increased manifold, driven by the rising incidence of chronic disorders in the United States, and is expected to be high in the days ahead. Per a Research and Markets report, the global healthcare staffing market size is expected to reach $62.8 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.9% from 2023 to 2030.
Staffing Shortage: Despite the end of the healthcare emergency (WHO declared the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency on May 5), the trauma of the past few years&#39; uncertainty and commotion has forced frontline workers like doctors and medical staff to leave the field. Added to this, a drastic increase in the aging population in recent times (about 10,000 individuals aged 59-77 are joining Medicare plans daily) has made the healthcare staffing shortage more pronounced. In the article &quot;A Public Health Crisis: Staffing Shortages in Health Care&quot; published in Favorite Healthcare Staffing, WHO predicts a shortfall of 15 million healthcare workers worldwide in 2030. Needless to say, this supply shortage has led to a significant rise in healthcare wages. Going by a HR for Health report,&nbsp; increased labor costs and staffing challenges have led to a rise in hospital expenses. Hospitals have experienced a 15.6% increase in labor expenses per adjusted discharge compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Gloomy Prospects
The Zacks Medical Services industry falls within the broader Zacks Medical sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #170, which places it in the bottom 32% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group&#39;s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates dull near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
We will present a few stocks that have the potential to outperform the market based on a strong earnings outlook. But it&#39;s worth taking a look at the industry&#39;s shareholder returns and current valuation first.
Industry Underperforms Sector and S&amp;P 500
The Medical Services Industry has underperformed its sector and the S&amp;P 500 over the past year. The stocks in this industry have collectively gained 8.9% during the said time frame compared with the Medical sector&#39;s 12.5% rise and the S&amp;P 500 composite&#39;s surge of 34.3%.
<h3>One-Year Price Performance</h3>
<img alt="" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/zadmin_tuner_image/chart 1_171024.jpg" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px; height:200px; width:620px" />
Industry&#39;s Current Valuation
On the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), which is commonly used for valuing medical stocks, the industry is currently trading at 15.01X compared with the S&amp;P 500&#39;s 22.09X and the sector&#39;s 22.75X.
Over the last five years, the industry has traded as high as 19.80X, as low as 11.83X, and at the median of 15.52X, as the charts below show.
<h3>Price-to-Earnings Forward Twelve Months (F12M)</h3>
<img alt="" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/zadmin_tuner_image/chart 2_171024.jpg" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px; height:157px; width:620px" />
<h3>Price-to-Earnings Forward Twelve Months (F12M)</h3>
<img alt="" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/zadmin_tuner_image/chart 3_171024.jpg" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px; height:157px; width:620px" />
3 Stocks to Buy Right Now
Below, we present three stocks from the Medical Services industry that have been witnessing positive earnings estimate revisions and carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) at present.
Elevance Health: Based in Indianapolis, IN, Elevance Health (previously named Anthem) is one of the largest publicly traded health insurers in the United States in terms of membership. ELV&#39;s revenue growth, fueled by premium rate increases and rising memberships in commercial business, contributes to its positive trajectory. Strategic acquisitions and partnerships have fortified its business portfolio. A robust Medicare Advantage segment, combined with successful contract acquisitions, is poised to drive future memberships.
Elevance Health&#39;s 2024 earnings growth rate is pegged at 12.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ELV&#39;s 2024 revenues indicates a year-over-year rise of 1.5%. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1 currently.
<h3>Price and Consensus: ELV</h3>
<img alt="" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/zadmin_tuner_image/elv_171024.jpg" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px; height:160px; width:620px" />
Doximity: It is a digital platform for U.S. medical professionals. The company&#39;s network members include over 80% of U.S. physicians across all specialties and practice areas. Doximity provides its verified clinical membership with digital tools built for medicine, enabling them to collaborate with colleagues, stay up to date with the latest medical news and research, manage their careers and on-call schedules and conduct virtual patient visits.
This Zacks Rank #1 stock&#39;s fiscal 2025 expected earnings growth rate is pegged at 10.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DOCS&#39; fiscal 2025 revenues indicates a year-over-year rise of 9.4%.
<h3>Price and Consensus: DOCS</h3>
<img alt="" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/zadmin_tuner_image/docs_171024.jpg" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px; height:160px; width:620px" />
HealthEquity: Draper, UT-headquartered HealthEquity provides integrated solutions for healthcare account management, health reimbursement arrangement and flexible spending accounts for health plans, insurance companies and third-party administrators in the United States. HealthEquity&#39;s sustained strength in Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) looks promising and is expected to enable it to maintain a leadership position in the HSA industry.
HQY&#39;s fiscal 2025 expected earnings growth rate is pegged at 37.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HealthEquity&#39;s fiscal 2025 revenues indicates a year-over-year rise of 18.2%. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
<h3>Price and Consensus: HQY</h3>
<img alt="" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/zadmin_tuner_image/hqy_171024.jpg" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px; height:160px; width:620px" />
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2352203/3-medical-services-stocks-to-buy-to-navigate-industry-challenges?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-industry_outlook-2352203">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Earnings

Large Cap

Mid Cap

Contracts

DOCS

3 Medical Services Stocks to Buy to Navigate Industry Challenges

HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 4.25% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 16.03%. Currently, HealthEquity has a market capitalization of $7.13 billion. 
Buying $1000 In HQY: If an investor had bought $1000 of HQY stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $4,474.75 today based on a price of $82.00 for HQY at the time of writing.
<h3>HealthEquity's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728410412_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning HealthEquity Stock In The Last 10 Years

HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 4.7% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.91%. Currently, HealthEquity has a market capitalization of $6.97 billion. 
Buying $100 In HQY: If an investor had bought $100 of HQY stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $439.31 today based on a price of $80.13 for HQY at the time of writing.
<h3>HealthEquity's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727103612_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $100 In This Stock 10 Years Ago, You Would Have $400 Today

Ratings for HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) were provided by 8 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $102.5, with a high estimate of $105.00 and a low estimate of $92.00. Highlighting a 0.49% decrease, the current average has fallen from the previous average price target of $103.00. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1726848036_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
The standing of HealthEquity among financial experts is revealed through an in-depth exploration of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Alexander Paris</td>
<td>Barrington Research</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexander Paris</td>
<td>Barrington Research</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>George Hill</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$103.00</td>
<td>$102.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Constantine Davides</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sean Dodge</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$92.00</td>
<td>$92.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Allen Lutz</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexander Paris</td>
<td>Barrington Research</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Allen Lutz</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to HealthEquity. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering insights into predictions, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of HealthEquity compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for HealthEquity's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of HealthEquity's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HQY/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on HealthEquity analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into HealthEquity's Background</h2>
HealthEquity Inc provides solutions that allow consumers to make healthcare saving and spending decisions. It provides payment processing services, personalized benefit information, the ability to earn wellness incentives, and investment advice to grow their tax-advantaged healthcare savings. It manages consumers' tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSAs) and other consumer-directed benefits (CDBs) offered by employers, including flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements (FSAs and HRAs), and administers Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), commuter and other benefits. It also provides investment advisory services to customers whose account balances exceed a certain threshold. HealthEquity generates its revenue in the United States.
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of HealthEquity</h3>
Market Capitalization Perspectives: The company's market capitalization falls below industry averages, signaling a relatively smaller size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Revenue Growth: HealthEquity's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 July, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 23.15%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Health Care sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 11.94%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): HealthEquity's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 1.68%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): HealthEquity's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 1.06%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: HealthEquity's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.54, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may supplement their ratings with predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, offering investors a more comprehensive outlook. However, investors should be mindful that analysts, like any human, can have subjective perspectives influencing their forecasts.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Navigating 8 Analyst Ratings For HealthEquity

Barrington Research analyst Alexander Paris maintains HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $105 price target.

Barrington Research Maintains Outperform on HealthEquity, Maintains $105 Price Target

Making a noteworthy insider sell on September 10, Elimelech Rosner, EVP at HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>), is reported in the latest SEC filing.
What Happened: Rosner's decision to sell 12,296 shares of HealthEquity was revealed in a Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001428336/000141588924023124//Archives/edgar/data/1428336/000141588924023124/0001415889-24-023124-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Tuesday. The total value of the sale is $947,089.
The latest market snapshot at Wednesday morning reveals HealthEquity shares down by 0.0%, trading at $74.69.
<h3>Unveiling the Story Behind HealthEquity</h3>
HealthEquity Inc provides solutions that allow consumers to make healthcare saving and spending decisions. It provides payment processing services, personalized benefit information, the ability to earn wellness incentives, and investment advice to grow their tax-advantaged healthcare savings. It manages consumers' tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSAs) and other consumer-directed benefits (CDBs) offered by employers, including flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement arrangements (FSAs and HRAs), and administers Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), commuter and other benefits. It also provides investment advisory services to customers whose account balances exceed a certain threshold. HealthEquity generates its revenue in the United States.
<h3>Key Indicators: HealthEquity's Financial Health</h3>
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, HealthEquity showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 23.15% as of 31 July, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Health Care sector.
Profitability Metrics: Unlocking Value
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: Achieving a high gross margin of 68.03%, the company performs well in terms of cost management and profitability within its sector.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): HealthEquity's EPS reflects a decline, falling below the industry average with a current EPS of 0.41.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: HealthEquity's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 0.54. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
In-Depth Valuation Examination:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: HealthEquity's stock is currently priced at a premium level, as reflected in the higher-than-average P/E ratio of 62.24.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 5.99 as compared to the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): Boasting an EV/EBITDA ratio of 21.42, HealthEquity demonstrates a robust market valuation, outperforming industry benchmarks.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Reflecting a smaller scale, the company's market capitalization is positioned below industry averages. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
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<h3>Why Insider Transactions Are Important</h3>
Insider transactions, although significant, should be considered within the larger context of market analysis and trends.
In legal terms, an "insider" refers to any officer, director, or beneficial owner of more than ten percent of a company's equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This can include executives in the c-suite and large hedge funds. These insiders are required to let the public know of their transactions via a Form 4 filing, which must be filed within two business days of the transaction.
When a company insider makes a new purchase, that is an indication that they expect the stock to rise.
Insider sells, on the other hand, can be made for a variety of reasons, and may not necessarily mean that the seller thinks the stock will go down. 
<h3>Essential Transaction Codes Unveiled</h3>
In the domain of transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> frequently turn their focus to those taking place in the open market, as meticulously outlined in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 indicates a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0001428336">Check Out The Full List Of HealthEquity's Insider Trades.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Insider Trades

EVP At HealthEquity Sells $947K Of Stock

Investors interested in stocks from the Medical Services sector have probably already heard of HealthEquity (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hqy#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) and Medpace (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/medp#NASDAQ">MEDP</a>). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let&#39;s take a closer look.
We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits.
HealthEquity has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Medpace has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now. This means that HQY&#39;s earnings estimate revision activity has been more impressive, so investors should feel comfortable with its improving analyst outlook. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.
Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.
Our Value category highlights undervalued companies by looking at a variety of key metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, as well as the P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that have been used by value investors for years.
HQY currently has a forward P/E ratio of 24.80, while MEDP has a forward P/E of 29.12. We also note that HQY has a PEG ratio of 0.88. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock&#39;s expected earnings growth rate. MEDP currently has a PEG ratio of 1.76.
Another notable valuation metric for HQY is its P/B ratio of 3.09. The P/B ratio pits a stock&#39;s market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, MEDP has a P/B of 13.78.
These metrics, and several others, help HQY earn a Value grade of B, while MEDP has been given a Value grade of C.
HQY is currently sporting an improving earnings outlook, which makes it stick out in our Zacks Rank model. And, based on the above valuation metrics, we feel that HQY is likely the superior value option right now.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2334126/hqy-vs-medp-which-stock-is-the-better-value-option?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_3-2334126">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

Fintech

MEDP

HQY vs. MEDP: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?

HealthEquity's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NYSE">HQY</a>) short percent of float has risen 7.43% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 4.52 million shares sold short, which is 6.07% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 6.17 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>HealthEquity Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725974109_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for HealthEquity has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing HealthEquity's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, HealthEquity's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.16%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

How Is The Market Feeling About HealthEquity?

HealthEquity (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hqy#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) closed the last trading session at $76.24, gaining 7.1% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $104.14 indicates a 36.6% upside potential.
The average comprises 14 short-term price targets ranging from a low of $92 to a high of $115, with a standard deviation of $6.14. While the lowest estimate indicates an increase of 20.7% from the current price level, the most optimistic estimate points to a 50.8% upside. More than the range, one should note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.
While the consensus price target is a much-coveted metric for investors, solely banking on this metric to make an investment decision may not be wise at all. That&#39;s because the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable.
However, an impressive consensus price target is not the only factor that indicates a potential upside in HQY. This view is strengthened by the agreement among analysts that the company will report better earnings than what they estimated earlier. Though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn&#39;t give any idea as to how much the stock could surge, it has proven effective in predicting an upside.
<h2>Here&#39;s What You Should Know About Analysts&#39; Price Targets</h2>
According to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.
While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company&#39;s fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?
They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.
However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock&#39;s price movement. While that doesn&#39;t necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.
That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.
<h2>Why HQY Could Witness a Solid Upside</h2>
There has been increasing optimism among analysts lately about the company&#39;s earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher. And that could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 4.1% over the past month, as three estimates have gone higher compared to no negative revision.
Moreover, HQY currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which means it is in the top 20% of more than the 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock&#39;s potential upside in the near term.
Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much HQY could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2333455/wall-street-analysts-believe-healthequity-hqy-could-rally-36-59-here-s-is-how-to-trade?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|consensus_price_target-2333455">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Wall Street Analysts Believe HealthEquity Could Rally 36.59%: Here's is How to Trade

Offerings

HealthEquity Files For Mixed Shelf; Size Not Disclosed

HealthEquity (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HQY#NASDAQ">HQY</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 4.89% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.59%. Currently, HealthEquity has a market capitalization of $7.19 billion. 
Buying $100 In HQY: If an investor had bought $100 of HQY stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $443.22 today based on a price of $82.68 for HQY at the time of writing.
<h3>HealthEquity's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725483611_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

In a report released yesterday, Stan Berenshteyn from Wells Fargo maintained a Buy rating on Healthequity (HQY – Research Report), with a price tar...

Positive Buy Rating for Healthequity Amid Leadership Transition and Strategic Growth Prospects

BofA raised the firm's price target on HealthEquity (HQY) to $120 from $100 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm, which says it continues...

HealthEquity price target raised to $120 from $100 at BofA

BTIG raised the firm's price target on HealthEquity (HQY) to $130 from $110 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm is citing improving poli...

HealthEquity price target raised to $130 from $110 at BTIG

There's a lot to be optimistic about in the Healthcare sector as 2 analysts just weighed in on Healthequity (HQY – Research Report) and Neurocrine ...

Wall Street Analysts Are Bullish on Top Healthcare Picks

David Roman, an analyst from Goldman Sachs, has initiated a new Hold rating on Healthequity (HQY). David Roman has given his Hold rating due to a c...

HealthEquity: Promising Growth Outlook Priced In, Hold Rating Justified

Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of HealthEquity (HQY) with a Neutral rating and $108 price target The firm says its thesis on HealthEquity is bala...

HealthEquity initiated with a Neutral at Goldman Sachs

Teladoc started at buy at Goldman Sachs on membership, revenue growth

Analysts have been eager to weigh in on the Healthcare sector with new ratings on Akoya Biosciences (AKYA – Research Report), OncoCyte (OCX – Resea...

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