Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) Stock Gets Downgrade from Zacks Research

Posted by Brenda Bartman on Oct 14th, 2026

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH – Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Monday, Zacks reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Molina Healthcare’s Q3 2026 earnings at $0.70 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.69 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.25 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.23 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $2.11 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $9.24 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $2.13 EPS and Q3 2028 earnings at $4.06 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts also recently commented on MOH. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $286.00 target price on Molina Healthcare in a report on Monday, July 13th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on Molina Healthcare from $250.00 to $225.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 24th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Molina Healthcare from $163.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Molina Healthcare from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “sell (d)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Molina Healthcare from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Sunday, October 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $202.44.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MOH

Molina Healthcare Trading Up 2.5%

NYSE MOH opened at $209.38 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.93 billion, a PE ratio of -1,163.13, a P/E/G ratio of 29.29 and a beta of 0.78. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $198.62 and its 200 day moving average is $192.25. Molina Healthcare has a twelve month low of $121.06 and a twelve month high of $244.89.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The company reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.12. Molina Healthcare had a negative net margin of 0.02% and a positive return on equity of 3.73%. The firm had revenue of $10.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.83 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $5.48 EPS. The company’s revenue was down 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Molina Healthcare will post 5.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Molina Healthcare

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MOH. ARGA Investment Management LP lifted its position in Molina Healthcare by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP now owns 4,166 shares of the company’s stock worth $555,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the period. Wedmont Private Capital grew its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 1,918 shares of the company’s stock valued at $375,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 118.2% in the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 144 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 64.5% in the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 232 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the period. Finally, LifeGoal Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 7.2% in the third quarter. LifeGoal Investments LLC now owns 1,585 shares of the company’s stock valued at $300,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. 98.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Molina Healthcare News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Molina Healthcare this week:

Positive Sentiment: Investor sentiment toward managed-care insurers has improved, while Molina’s scheduled earnings release and the launch of its Illinois HealthChoice Medicaid contract are providing near-term catalysts. The company’s prior quarter also exceeded adjusted EPS expectations, supporting confidence in execution. Molina Healthcare Gains as Investors Weigh Sector Tailwinds and Near-Term Catalysts
Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research continues to rate MOH “Strong Buy,” despite trimming several forecasts. The stock also outperformed peers during a broadly strong trading session, indicating favorable recent market momentum. Molina Healthcare Inc. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day
Neutral Sentiment: Molina is projected to report quarterly earnings on Wednesday, making the upcoming results and management outlook the key near-term catalysts for the shares. Molina Healthcare Projected to Post Quarterly Earnings on Wednesday
Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research lowered EPS estimates across multiple periods: Q3 2026 to $0.70 from $0.71, Q4 2026 to $0.69 from $0.70, FY2026 to $5.25 from $5.27, FY2027 to $9.24 from $9.28, and modestly reduced 2027–2028 quarterly forecasts. The cuts suggest some pressure on expected profitability, although the revised FY2026 estimate remains close to the broader $5.29 consensus.
Negative Sentiment: Recent insider activity consisted of sales rather than purchases, while one analyst comparison favored Centene over Molina because of Centene’s valuation and earnings outlook. These signals may weigh on sentiment. Centene vs. Molina: Which Managed Care Stock Has More Upside?

Molina Healthcare Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Molina Healthcare, Inc is a managed-care company that provides health insurance and related healthcare services primarily to individuals and families who receive coverage through government-sponsored programs. Its main lines of business include Medicaid, Medicare, and health plans offered through government marketplaces.

The company works with state and federal agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations to coordinate care for members, including low-income adults and children, seniors, and people with disabilities or complex medical needs.