Goldman Sachs just labelled NIB shares a sell

NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF): buy, hold, sell?

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The NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF) share price has rocketed 157% over the past 5 years, but might have got ahead of itself if the analysts at Goldman Sachs are on the money.

NIB got a surprise boost in May 2019 after the Liberal party won a shock Federal election victory that some investors think might mean more people take up private healthcare policies due to less generous Medicare funding rebates and services under a Liberal government.

 Goldman Sachs warns though that it still expects government premium increases to be no more than 3% annually going forward, which Goldman's notes will impact NIB's important operating margins.

Goldman's also claims that as at July 15 NIB shares were trading on 25x its forecast price-to-earnings ratio, which is its "highest ever point over the past decade".

Goldman's acknowledges that it's a little more bearish than consensus in its earnings per share forecasts to come up with a $5.63 12-month share price target to suggest NIB shares at $7.90 today could have a weak 12 months.

Elsewhere shares in private healthcare market leader Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) trade for $3.65.

Motley Fool contributor Tom Richardson has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended NIB Holdings Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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