Q3 EPS Estimate for UnitedHealth Group Lifted by Analyst

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research raised their Q3 2026 earnings per share estimates for UnitedHealth Group in a report issued on Thursday, July 30th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the healthcare conglomerate will post earnings of $3.66 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $3.61. Zacks Research currently has a “Strong-Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s current full-year earnings is $19.71 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for UnitedHealth Group’s Q4 2026 earnings at $2.25 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $7.05 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $4.81 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $4.12 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $6.78 EPS and Q2 2028 earnings at $5.84 EPS.

UNH has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $468.00 to $529.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. HSBC raised their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. KeyCorp upped their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $397.00 to $485.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped 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. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $455.92.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Up 0.2%

UNH stock opened at $421.48 on Friday. UnitedHealth Group has a one year low of $234.60 and a one year high of $461.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.78. The company has a fifty day moving average of $410.86 and a 200-day moving average of $347.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $382.76 billion, a PE ratio of 27.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.62.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last issued 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. The firm had revenue of $112.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.81 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 3.14%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $4.08 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 220.0% during 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 during the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The company 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 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 dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.72%.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth reported second-quarter revenue of $112.03 billion and adjusted EPS of $6.38, well above the $4.94 consensus estimate. Management also maintained 2026 EPS guidance of $19.50–$20.00, reinforcing expectations that profitability is recovering. UnitedHealth Just Gave Wall Street a Clearer Turnaround Signal
• Positive Sentiment: Improved margins and a lower medical cost ratio indicate that UnitedHealth’s cost-control initiatives are gaining traction after the company’s difficult 2025 performance. Continued share repurchases and a higher earnings outlook add support to the investment case. UnitedHealth’s Cost-Control Story is Gaining Momentum
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment has improved: Erste Group raised its 2026 EPS estimate to $19.85 from $18.33 and its 2027 estimate to $22.44 from $20.87, retaining a Buy rating. Another valuation update lifted fair value to $475.23 from $424.23, citing Q2 performance and better Medicare Advantage and Optum Health assumptions. UnitedHealth Group Stock Sees Fair Value Lift
• Neutral Sentiment: Brokerages currently give UNH a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, suggesting constructive—but not unanimous—expectations for the recovery. UnitedHealth Given Moderate Buy Recommendation
• Negative Sentiment: Investors still face risks from commercial-insurance trends, Medicaid performance, regulatory scrutiny and elevated medical costs, including expenses related to surprise-billing dispute resolutions. These issues could limit the pace of the turnaround.

About UnitedHealth Group

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.