UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH Shares Sold by Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE

Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE decreased its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) by 51.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 8,699 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after selling 9,173 shares during the period. Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $2,354,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC raised its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

UNH opened at $426.67 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $389.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $334.43. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $234.60 and a 1 year high of $428.02. The stock has a market cap of $387.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.23, a P/E/G ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.62. 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 released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.76 by $0.47. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 2.68% and a return on equity of 14.65%. The company had revenue of $111.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $109.84 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $7.20 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 18.32 earnings per share for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th were given a dividend of $2.32 per share. This is an increase from UnitedHealth Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. This represents a $9.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 70.09%.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth’s coverage of Guardant Health’s Shield blood test for colorectal cancer screening could support member growth and reinforce UNH’s position in preventive care, while also signaling adoption of a new, high-profile screening product. UnitedHealth Group Now Covers Guardant Health’s Shield Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley said UnitedHealth is likely to beat second-quarter earnings expectations, citing favorable utilization trends, which suggests better-than-expected near-term profitability. UnitedHealth to Top Second-Quarter Earnings Views on Favorable Utilization Trends, Morgan Stanley Says
• Positive Sentiment: Technical momentum remains strong, with reports noting UNH has rallied sharply, formed a golden cross, and recently traded near its highs for the year, which can attract additional trend-following buyers. Up by 80%, does the UnitedHealth Group have more upside?
• Neutral Sentiment: UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Nebraska announced a $385,000 investment in local support programs for older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities. The move is positive reputationally, but it is unlikely to materially affect earnings. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Nebraska Invests $385,000 to Expand Programs to Support Older Adults, Caregivers and People with Disabilities
• Negative Sentiment: A court dismissal of the PBMs’ lawsuit against the FTC keeps regulatory pressure in focus for Optum Rx and the broader pharmacy-benefit manager industry, which could be a headwind for sentiment around UNH’s services segment. Court dismisses PBMs’ lawsuit against FTC following insulin settlements
• Negative Sentiment: One article frames UNH as facing a “Medicare reset,” pointing to potential changes or pressure in Medicare-related dynamics that could weigh on valuation if margins or growth expectations soften. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Faces Medicare Reset

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on UNH shares. Truist Financial upped their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $395.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, June 1st. HC Wainwright set a $492.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $361.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $450.00 to $475.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $411.42.

Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group

In other news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 800 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total value of $284,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 17,805 shares in the company, valued at $6,320,775. The trade was a 4.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.