UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH – Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-seven research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have given a hold recommendation, twenty-one have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $414.75.
A number of brokerages recently issued reports on UNH. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $370.00 to $397.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Bank of America upped their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $450.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 24th. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $385.00 to $405.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $361.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd.
Check Out Our Latest Report on UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.76 by $0.47. The business had revenue of $111.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $109.84 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 2.68% and a return on equity of 14.65%. UnitedHealth Group’s revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $7.20 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group will post 18.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.
UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $2.32 per share. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. This is a boost from UnitedHealth Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 70.09%.
Key Stories Impacting UnitedHealth Group
Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:
- Positive Sentiment: An external audit of UnitedHealth’s HouseCalls senior home visits found that nearly 97% of diagnoses were supported by patients’ medical records, easing concerns that the unit was inflating diagnoses to increase Medicare reimbursements. Reuters article
- Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth said the audit helps validate its home-health practices, which could reduce regulatory and reputational risk around Medicare Advantage reimbursement concerns. Healthcare Dive article
- Positive Sentiment: The stock has been one of the stronger large-cap healthcare names this year, with coverage noting a solid first-half rebound and signs that management is addressing prior problem areas. Motley Fool article
- Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth is also being viewed more favorably for its strategy shift toward profitability, with improving margins, stronger earnings, and Optum expansion supporting the turnaround case. Yahoo Finance article
- Positive Sentiment: The company expanded insurance coverage for Guardant Health’s Shield blood test for colorectal cancer screening in adults 45 and older, reinforcing its role in broadening access to emerging medical technologies. Yahoo Finance article
- Neutral Sentiment: HSBC raised its price target on UNH to $380 while keeping a hold rating, which is constructive but still implies the stock may be trading above the firm’s view of fair value. Benzinga article
- Neutral Sentiment: Some recent market commentary still highlighted a prior pullback in the shares, suggesting investors are watching whether the rebound is durable. Yahoo Finance article
Insiders Place Their Bets
In other news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 800 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total transaction of $284,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 17,805 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $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 can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.28% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group
A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Founders Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Founders Capital Management LLC now owns 982 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $324,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the period. Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.7% during the fourth quarter. Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,746 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $576,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Cooper Financial Group increased its position in UnitedHealth Group by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 4,338 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $1,432,000 after buying an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Successful Portfolios LLC boosted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Successful Portfolios LLC now owns 1,194 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $411,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Integral Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 4.0% during the second quarter. Integral Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 784 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $326,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
UnitedHealth Group Company Profile
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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