UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Stock Keeps Hold Rating at TD Cowen

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH)‘s stock had its “hold” rating reaffirmed by TD Cowen in a research report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They presently have a $402.00 price target on the healthcare conglomerate’s stock. TD Cowen’s price objective would indicate a potential downside of 1.94% from the company’s previous close.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on UNH. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $440.00 to $495.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, July 17th. New Street Research set a $402.00 price objective on UnitedHealth Group in a report on Friday, October 9th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $453.00 to $427.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Bank of America reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $450.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $463.00 to $478.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Twenty analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $461.48.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 3.6%

Shares of UNH traded up $14.35 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $409.97. The company had a trading volume of 5,614,979 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,369,734. The firm has a market cap of $367.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.60. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $387.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $383.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. UnitedHealth Group has a 52-week low of $255.96 and a 52-week high of $461.62.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.14 by $0.55. The firm had revenue of $112.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $111.31 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 17.95% and a net margin of 3.53%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.59 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 20.500- EPS. On average, research analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group will post 20.00 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at UnitedHealth Group

In related news, CEO Patrick Conway sold 1,169 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $390.00, for a total transaction of $455,910.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 15,328 shares in the company, valued at $5,977,920. The trade was a 7.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UNH. Wellington Altus USA Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 97.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wellington Altus USA Inc. now owns 67 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Security National Bank of SO Dak acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Nvwm LLC boosted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 89.2% in the 3rd quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 70 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.86% of the company’s stock.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Earnings beat and raised guidance: UnitedHealth reported third-quarter revenue of $112.7 billion and adjusted EPS of $4.69, exceeding consensus estimates. Management raised its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to at least $20.50, above the prior range and analyst expectations. UnitedHealth Group gains after Q3 beat and higher 2026 outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Margin recovery is improving: The medical care ratio improved to 88.4%, while better cost management, pricing discipline and benefit changes supported profitability. Goldman Sachs said Medicare Advantage margins are recovering faster than expected, and UnitedHealth described 2026 as a potential bottom for Medicaid margins. Goldman Sachs report on UNH earnings and margin recovery
• Positive Sentiment: 2027 growth prospects attract bullish analyst views: Management highlighted a potential return to stronger growth, including 13%–16% long-term earnings growth, special-needs Medicare plans, expanded coverage and AI tools that reduce administrative work. Goldman Sachs raised its price target to $506, while Piper Sandler maintained an overweight rating with a $504 target. Can UNH’s focus on special needs plans strengthen Medicare growth?
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst views remain divided: Piper Sandler and Goldman Sachs see substantial upside, but TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating with a $402 target. Barclays and Robert W. Baird also reduced their targets, reflecting uncertainty about the pace of recovery.
• Negative Sentiment: Growth risks remain: Revenue was essentially flat year over year, membership has declined, and investors continue to question the company’s growth path. Commercial medical costs and Medicaid pressure could delay broader margin recovery, leaving some analysts concerned that the recent earnings positives are already reflected in the valuation. UnitedHealth beats on earnings, but investors question growth path

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care and well-being company serving individuals, employers, health care providers and government programs. Its operations are organized primarily through UnitedHealthcare and Optum.

UnitedHealthcare provides health benefit plans and services, including employer-sponsored coverage, individual and family plans, Medicare and Medicaid offerings, and other government-supported programs. Its services include health insurance administration, pharmacy benefits and care management.

Optum provides health care services, technology and data solutions, pharmacy services, and analytics to health plans, employers, government agencies, health care providers and consumers.