StockNews.com Upgrades eHealth (NASDAQ:EHTH) to "Hold"

eHealth (NASDAQ:EHTH - Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report issued on Tuesday.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on EHTH. Craig Hallum lowered their price target on shares of eHealth from $6.00 to $5.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on shares of eHealth from $5.00 to $2.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 14th.

eHealth Price Performance

Shares of EHTH stock traded up $0.09 on Tuesday, hitting $5.09. 130,769 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 254,659. eHealth has a 52 week low of $3.58 and a 52 week high of $9.45. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $4.31 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4.63. The firm has a market cap of $149.70 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.87 and a beta of 0.49.

eHealth (NASDAQ:EHTH - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported ($1.23) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.85) by ($0.38). eHealth had a negative return on equity of 4.03% and a negative net margin of 6.32%. The company had revenue of $65.86 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $55.79 million. Sell-side analysts forecast that eHealth will post -1.51 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO John J. Stelben acquired 20,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $4.16 per share, for a total transaction of $83,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 515,565 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,144,750.40. The trade was a 0.00 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CFO John J. Stelben bought 20,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $4.16 per share, with a total value of $83,200.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief financial officer now directly owns 515,565 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,144,750.40. This trade represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Gavin G. Galimi bought 10,365 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $4.12 per share, for a total transaction of $42,703.80. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 185,290 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $763,394.80. This represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders bought a total of 80,365 shares of company stock valued at $329,404 in the last three months. 4.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On eHealth

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC raised its position in eHealth by 307.5% in the second quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 175,878 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $797,000 after purchasing an additional 132,720 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in eHealth during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $675,000. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in eHealth by 15.5% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 38,170 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $173,000 after buying an additional 5,120 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in eHealth by 104.7% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 257,600 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,167,000 after buying an additional 131,772 shares during the period. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of eHealth in the first quarter worth $472,000. 79.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

eHealth Company Profile

eHealth, Inc operates a health insurance marketplace that provides consumer engagement, education, and health insurance enrollment solutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Medicare; and Employer and Individual. The Medicare segment offers sale of Medicare-related health insurance plans, which includes Medicare advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to Medicare-eligible customers including but not limited to, dental, and vision insurance, as well as advertising program for marketing and other services.