Q1 EPS Forecast for UnitedHealth Group Lifted by Analyst

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Research analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2027 earnings estimates for shares of UnitedHealth Group in a note issued to investors on Monday, May 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the healthcare conglomerate will earn $6.87 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $6.77. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s current full-year earnings is $18.29 per share.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.76 by $0.47. The firm had revenue of $111.65 billion for 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%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $7.20 EPS. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS.

UNH has been the topic of several other research reports. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $375.00 to $395.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. UBS Group reduced their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $370.00 to $397.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $405.00 to $411.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $381.83.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Down 0.9%

NYSE UNH opened at $390.44 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $354.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.49, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.64. The business’s fifty day moving average is $318.85 and its 200-day moving average is $318.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. UnitedHealth Group has a one year low of $234.60 and a one year high of $404.15.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Janus Henderson Group PLC grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 2.5% during the first quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 3,691,607 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $991,448,000 after acquiring an additional 89,359 shares in the last quarter. Bull Harbor Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 1st quarter valued at $520,000. Strategic Investment Advisors MI raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 70.4% in the first quarter. Strategic Investment Advisors MI now owns 1,038 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $281,000 after buying an additional 429 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 7.2% during the first quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC now owns 5,392 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $1,457,000 after buying an additional 363 shares in the last quarter. Finally, South Dakota Investment Council raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. South Dakota Investment Council now owns 173,485 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $46,943,000 after acquiring an additional 10,446 shares in the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 800 shares of the business’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 sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 17,805 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,320,775. The trade was a 4.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.28% of the company’s stock.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 9th were issued a $2.21 dividend. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 9th. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 66.77%.

Key Headlines Impacting UnitedHealth Group

Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth’s recent quarterly results beat expectations on both earnings and revenue, and management raised guidance, reinforcing the view that the business is still improving operationally.
• Positive Sentiment: The healthcare sector was stronger on Monday afternoon, offering some support to UNH relative to the broader market. Sector Update: Healthcare Stocks Advance Monday Afternoon
• Neutral Sentiment: A new healthcare policy proposal would expand HSAs and increase price transparency, which could affect insurers like UNH over time, but it is not an immediate earnings driver. New Bill: Representative Eric Burlison introduces H.R. 8324: Great American Healthcare Plan
• Negative Sentiment: Berkshire Hathaway disclosed that it sold its entire UnitedHealth position, and Reuters reported the stock fell after the exit became public, weighing on investor sentiment. UnitedHealth falls after Berkshire sells stake in health insurer
• Negative Sentiment: Commentary across Reuters, Barron’s, Investopedia, and other outlets focused on Berkshire’s exit, increasing concern that a respected long-term investor no longer sees as much upside in UNH.

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.