Zacks Research Issues Positive Forecast for UNH Earnings

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note issued on Tuesday, February 10th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the healthcare conglomerate will post earnings per share of $4.74 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $4.36. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s current full-year earnings is $29.54 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for UnitedHealth Group’s Q3 2026 earnings at $3.48 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $6.70 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $4.98 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $3.92 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $22.68 EPS.

UNH has been the subject of several other reports. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $411.00 to $409.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Barclays decreased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $391.00 to $327.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 30th. Oppenheimer cut their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $415.00 to $385.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $370.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Piper Sandler reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $372.13.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UNH opened at $273.00 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.79. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $323.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $323.38. UnitedHealth Group has a fifty-two week low of $234.60 and a fifty-two week high of $606.36. The stock has a market cap of $247.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.70, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.41.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.09 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $113.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $113.38 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 2.69% and a return on equity of 14.79%. The business’s revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $6.81 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.750- EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 220.0% during 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 87.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.