Humana is a health benefits company that offers coordinated health insurance coverage and related services through a variety of plans for retirees, employer groups, and government-sponsored programs, such as Medicare Advantage and Medicaid. Humana serves nearly 17 million medical members and 5 million specialty and dental members. The company's CenterWell health services segment offers PBM services, home care services, and primary care services. HUM shares are a component of the S&P 500. Humana has a strong position in the Medicare Advantage (MA) market and growth opportunities in its healthcare services business. The MA market is expanding rapidly as aging Americans seek secure medical and insurance benefits during retirement. The U.S. Census Bureau has estimated that the number of U.S. residents over 65 will double over the next four decades, with one in five residents over the age of 65 by 2030.

There's not much movement in U.S. stock markets today. Blue-chip shares are modestly higher, with the Nasdaq Composite and Russell 2000 off slightly. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note is steady at 4.45%. Gold, oil and Bitcoin are all trading higher today. The European Central Bank made the first move (ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve) by cutting rates by 25 basis points to 3.75% -- its first cut in five years. In the U.S., economists and the Fed are still weighing the evidence to justify that kind of pivot. The data keeps coming but it is starting to lean more and more to making the case for a cut. Elsewhere, weekly unemployment claims increased 8,000 from the past week to 229,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. While that number is higher than the four-week average of 222,250, the jobs market remains healthy from this angle. We will start to worry about the strength of the consumer sector of the economy if claims soar toward 300,000.

Humana is one of the largest private health insurers in the US with a focus on administering Medicare Advantage plans. The firm has built a niche specializing in government-sponsored programs, with nearly all its medical membership stemming from individual and group Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and the military's Tricare program. The firm is also a leader in stand-alone prescription drug plans for seniors enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. Beyond medical insurance, the company provides other healthcare services, including primary-care services, at-home services, and pharmacy benefit management.

In this edition, we assess exposure of some consumer finance banks; Compass Minerals puts its dividend on ice; Humana's stock pitch shows a rare opportunity; and Enel SpA, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Puma.