Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH – Free Report) by 21.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 11,713,684 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,097,859 shares during the quarter. Bank of America Corp DE’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $3,169,606,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 220.0% in the 4th quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 80 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Institutional investors own 87.86% of the company’s stock.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $463.00 to $478.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $420.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. KeyCorp increased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $475.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Robert W. Baird raised UnitedHealth Group from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $287.00 to $453.00 in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Finally, Piper Sandler set a $477.00 target price on UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $455.92.
UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 1.7%
UNH stock opened at $421.30 on Thursday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $410.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $347.25. The stock has a market cap of $382.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.11, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a twelve month low of $234.60 and a twelve month high of $461.62.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.94 by $1.44. The company had revenue of $112.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $110.81 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.14% and a return on equity of 16.53%. The firm’s revenue was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.08 EPS. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 19.69 EPS for the current year.
UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th were issued a $2.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 15th. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. This is an increase from UnitedHealth Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. UnitedHealth Group’s payout ratio is currently 59.72%.
Key Headlines Impacting UnitedHealth Group
Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:
- Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth reported second-quarter revenue of $112.03 billion and net income of $5.48 billion, while earnings per share of $6.38 exceeded the $4.94 consensus estimate. Management also raised its 2026 earnings outlook to $19.50–$20.00 per share. How Investors Are Reacting To UnitedHealth Group Profit Beat, Outlook Hike and Ongoing Buybacks
- Positive Sentiment: Lower medical costs, tighter expense control and continued share repurchases are strengthening the investment case and signaling that UnitedHealth’s profitability recovery is gaining traction. Analysts and market commentators have highlighted UNH as a blue-chip buying opportunity following the earnings beat. UnitedHealth’s Cost-Control Story is Gaining Momentum Buy These 3 Blue-Chip Stocks After Strong Q2 2026 Earnings Results
- Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth’s shares have rallied significantly since their March low, and the earnings beat has prompted renewed debate over whether the stock remains undervalued after its recovery. UnitedHealth Earnings Spark Fresh Value Debate
- Neutral Sentiment: UnitedHealth committed $4 million, alongside technical support, to help expand UT Health Sciences’ health-hub network in Tennessee from five to 13 locations. The initiative may improve community access and brand reputation but is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. UnitedHealth Partners with UT Health Sciences
- Negative Sentiment: Some investors question the durability of the improved medical loss ratio because part of the benefit came from exiting unprofitable markets rather than broad-based operating improvement. Technical commentary also warns that the sharp rally could face consolidation. UnitedHealth Group Stock Opinions on Q2 Earnings Beat
- Negative Sentiment: Humana’s elevated medical cost ratio and decision to reaffirm rather than raise its forecast create a cautious read-through for managed-care companies, keeping pressure on investors to monitor utilization and healthcare-cost trends. Why Humana Stock Is Falling After Earnings Beat Expectations
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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