DNB Asset Management AS raised its position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH – Free Report) by 12.5% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 437,929 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after buying an additional 48,691 shares during the period. DNB Asset Management AS’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $144,565,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 12.0% during the 4th quarter. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. now owns 29,750 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $9,821,000 after acquiring an additional 3,180 shares during the last quarter. Applied Finance Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Applied Finance Capital Management LLC now owns 8,262 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $2,727,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company LLC increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company LLC now owns 28,943 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $9,554,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 486 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $160,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Phoenix Financial Ltd. increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 11.8% during the 4th quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. now owns 46,959 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $15,302,000 after acquiring an additional 4,973 shares during the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Transactions at UnitedHealth Group
In related news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total transaction of $284,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 17,805 shares in the company, valued at $6,320,775. This trade represents a 4.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.76 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $111.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $109.84 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 14.65% and a net margin of 2.68%.The business’s revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $7.20 EPS. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS. On average, analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 18.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.
UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 9th were paid a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 9th. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio is 66.77%.
Trending Headlines about UnitedHealth Group
Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Erste Group Bank slightly raised its earnings estimates for UnitedHealth and kept a Buy rating, reinforcing the view that the company’s profit outlook remains solid. MarketBeat UNH report
- Positive Sentiment: Recent commentary remains upbeat after UnitedHealth’s strong first-quarter results, with analysts and market watchers pointing to a substantial rebound since March lows and improved investor confidence in the stock’s longer-term earnings power. Seeking Alpha article
- Neutral Sentiment: The broader market tone was positive, with major indexes closing higher and hitting new highs, which may have helped sentiment across large-cap healthcare stocks.
- Negative Sentiment: Berkshire Hathaway disclosed that it sold several smaller holdings, including UnitedHealth, which may raise concerns that a high-profile investor is reducing exposure to the stock. Reuters article
Analyst Ratings Changes
UNH has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $405.00 to $411.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Raymond James Financial raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st. Erste Group Bank raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $361.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $378.88.
Check Out Our Latest Report on UNH
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group Inc is a diversified health care company headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, that operates two primary business platforms: UnitedHealthcare and Optum. Founded in 1977, the company provides a broad range of health benefits and health care services to individuals, employers, governmental entities and other organizations. Its operations span commercial employer-sponsored plans, individual and Medicare and Medicaid programs, and services for customers and health systems in the United States and selected international markets.
UnitedHealthcare is the company’s benefits business, administering health plans and networks, managing provider relationships, and offering coverage products for employers, individuals, and government-sponsored programs.
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