Aveanna initiated with an Equal Weight at Barclays

Barclays initiated coverage of Aveanna (AVAH) with an Equal Weight rating and $5.50 price target Aveanna primarily operates in the private duty nursing business, which is a Medicaid dominant service where demand outpaces supply, the analyst tells investors. While the firm says there may be near-term earnings upside, 2026 Street EBITDA and margin forecasts “look a bit rich” and broader uncertainty around Medicaid policy is likely to slow rate increases, the analyst added.