(Updates shares, adds UNH)** Shares of health insurer Humana Inc up ~6.3 pctat $285.79 and Walmart shares down ~3 pct at $86.27** WMT is in talks with HUM to expand their partnership orpossibly buy out the company, sources told Reuters last week** Deal would follow recent trend of retailers buyinginsurers, with CVS Health's $69 bln deal for Aetna and Cigna's $54 bln deal for Express Scripts ** Tie-ups like these could cut costs, revolutionize theAmerican healthcare delivery model and prop up business forsuffering retailers, but the model is unproven, analysts say** Healthcare companies have also been under pressure tohold on to customers as investors remain wary e-commerce giantAmazon.com Inc could venture into the healthcare market** UnitedHealth Group Inc rises ~4 pct at $221.58** UNH, HUM among top boosters to S&P 500 index ** UNH is seeing positive flow of funds since 3 of the otherbig 5 insurers potentially will be in "antitrust purgatory" fornext 12 months" JPMorgan analyst Gary Taylor said** ESRX down ~2 pct, CI, CVS, AET down marginally
** Up to Thursday's close, HUM stock had risen 30.5 pct YTD;UNH stock had fallen ~3 pct (Reporting by Tamara Mathias in Bengaluru)
8780, outside U.S. +91 806749 1208; Reuters Messaging:tamara.mathias.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.