Gradient Investments LLC trimmed its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH – Free Report) by 8.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 139,811 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after selling 12,077 shares during the quarter. Gradient Investments LLC’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $58,109,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 220.0% during the 4th quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 80 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
UNH has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $397.00 to $485.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Bank of America reissued a “buy” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Zacks Research raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $440.00 to $480.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $463.00 to $478.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $455.92.
UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 0.6%
UNH opened at $406.54 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.78. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a twelve month low of $244.37 and a twelve month high of $461.62. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $414.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $350.83. The firm has a market cap of $369.20 billion, a PE ratio of 26.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.62.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.94 by $1.44. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 3.14%.The business had revenue of $112.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $4.08 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 19.69 EPS for the current year.
UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th were given a $2.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. This is a boost from UnitedHealth Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. UnitedHealth Group’s payout ratio is presently 59.72%.
Insider Buying and Selling
In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total transaction of $205,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 16,497 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,763,770. This trade represents a 2.94% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.19% of the company’s stock.
Key Stories Impacting UnitedHealth Group
Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:
- Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth was highlighted as a leading long-term value stock by Zacks, supporting the view that its scale, diversified healthcare operations and earnings potential could appeal to long-term investors. Why UnitedHealth Group Is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
- Positive Sentiment: UNH was included among healthcare stocks benefiting from strengthening defensive demand and improving earnings expectations. The company’s recent quarterly results also exceeded consensus estimates, with earnings of $6.38 per share versus expectations of $4.94, while maintaining 2026 earnings guidance of $19.50 to $20.00 per share. 4 Healthcare Stocks to Watch as Defensive Demand Strengthens
- Positive Sentiment: A separate report said UnitedHealth is regaining investor favor after a volatile period, suggesting improving sentiment around the company’s outlook and recovery potential. Why UnitedHealth Group Is Regaining Favor After a Volatile Stretch
- Neutral Sentiment: UnitedHealth was described as the leader of its health-insurance peer group, but investors are paying a premium for that perceived quality. The valuation could remain justified if the company sustains superior execution, though it may limit further upside if growth slows. UNH Leads Its Peer Group. You Pay For That
- Negative Sentiment: CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 500 UNH shares for approximately $205,000, reducing his direct holdings by 2.94%. The sale is relatively small compared with his remaining stake, but insider selling can create a modest sentiment headwind. SEC Insider Transaction Filing
UnitedHealth Group 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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