Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE Boosts Stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE increased its position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) by 24.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,872 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after buying an additional 3,499 shares during the period. Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $5,900,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of UNH. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its stake 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 valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC raised its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 69.4% during the 3rd quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC now owns 83 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.86% of the company’s stock.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Down 1.3%

UNH stock opened at $407.80 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $370.34 billion, a PE ratio of 30.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.64. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12 month low of $234.60 and a 12 month high of $415.98. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $356.88 and its 200 day moving average is $325.67. 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 (NYSE:UNH) last posted its quarterly 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 company had revenue of $111.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $109.84 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 2.68% and a return on equity of 14.65%. The firm’s revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $7.20 EPS. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 18.32 EPS for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be issued a dividend of $2.32 per share. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. This is an increase from UnitedHealth Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 66.77%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UNH has been the topic of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Argus raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $400.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $311.00 to $337.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of 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 increased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $444.00 to $492.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $407.17.

Key Headlines Impacting UnitedHealth Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Mizuho raised its price target on UnitedHealth Group to $460 from $440 and reiterated an Outperform rating, citing an improving managed care outlook. Mizuho Boosts UnitedHealth (UNH) Target as Managed Care Outlook Improves
• Positive Sentiment: Brokerage sentiment remains favorable, with UnitedHealth Group carrying a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages
• Positive Sentiment: Investors are rotating toward healthcare as a defensive sector while tech stocks weaken, which has lifted interest in UNH and other large-cap health insurers. As Tech Stocks Slide, The Healthcare Sector Shines. Why Some Experts Say They Like This Defensive Play
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks highlighted UNH as a top-ranked momentum stock, reinforcing the bullish technical setup, but this was more of a screening note than a company-specific catalyst. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is a Top-Ranked Momentum Stock: Should You Buy?
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles pointed to UNH hitting or approaching 52-week highs, indicating strong recent momentum, though that can also lead to short-term pullbacks as traders lock in gains. UnitedHealth, Applied Materials, Citigroup Stocks Surged To 52-Week Highs Today: What Drove The Uptick?
• Negative Sentiment: After the recent rally, UNH has seen some consolidation and a modest pullback as investors digest gains, which is likely contributing to the stock’s softer tone today. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Stock Moves -1.28%: What You Should Know

Insider Buying and Selling

In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total transaction of $284,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 17,805 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,320,775. This trade represents a 4.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.28% of the company’s stock.

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.