BUZZ-Option Care Health jumps after positive preliminary Q4 results, buyback boost

** Shares of home healthcare services provider Option Care Health OPCH.O up 9.2% on Tues to $35.01 after preliminary Q4 results topped Wall Street's expectations, and co doubled its stock buyback program

** OPCH hits highest since Mar and stock on track for biggest daily pct gain in exactly one year

** Bannockburn, Illinois-based firm late Mon said expects Q4 net rev of $1.46-$1.47 bln and adj EPS of 46-49 cents; analysts had modeled rev of $1.46 bln and earnings of 46 cents, per LSEG data

** Co said its board on Jan 9 approved an increase to its 2025 share repurchase program authorization from $500 mln to $1 bln

** It also issued FY2026 preliminary guidance of $5.8-$6 bln net rev and adj EPS of $1.82-$1.92

** Morgan Stanley lifted its PT by $3 to $38, Jefferies raised its PT by $5 to $37

** Jefferies, which has a 'buy' rating, said in note it views the pre-announcement positively as it provides clarity on co's path forward and highlights strong underlying growth trends

** Including the move on the session, OPCH up about 25% over the past 12 months

** 11 of 12 brokerages rate the stock "strong buy" or "buy", 1 "hold"; median PT $38

(Lance Tupper is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own)

((lance.tupper@tr.com 1-646-279-6380))