Chesapeake Wealth Management reduced its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH – Free Report) by 34.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,527 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after selling 1,315 shares during the quarter. Chesapeake Wealth Management’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $684,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 220.0% in the fourth 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 period. Joseph Group Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.86% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
UNH has been the subject of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $466.00 to $516.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Argus upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $400.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $455.92.
Key Stories 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 Trading Down 1.7%
Shares of UNH opened at $421.30 on Thursday. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $410.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $347.25. The stock has a market cap of $382.60 billion, a PE ratio of 27.11, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 52-week low of $234.60 and a 52-week high of $461.62.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.94 by $1.44. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.14% and a return on equity of 16.53%. The firm had revenue of $112.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.81 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.08 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS. Research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 19.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th were given a $2.32 dividend. This represents a $9.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. This is a boost from UnitedHealth Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.72%.
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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