UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH – Get Free Report) had its price target increased by equities researchers at TD Cowen from $311.00 to $337.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “hold” rating on the healthcare conglomerate’s stock. TD Cowen’s target price would suggest a potential downside of 5.08% from the stock’s previous close.
Several other research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Leerink Partners raised their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $345.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $350.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $405.00 to $411.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $385.00 to $405.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $377.64.
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UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 0.1%
Shares of UNH opened at $355.05 on Thursday. UnitedHealth Group has a twelve month low of $234.60 and a twelve month high of $424.12. The company has a market cap of $322.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $293.40 and its 200-day simple moving average is $317.33.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.76 by $0.47. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 2.68% and a return on equity of 14.65%. The business had revenue of $111.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $109.84 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $7.20 earnings per share. The business’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. As a group, analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group will post 18.29 EPS for the current year.
Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group
Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC boosted 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 purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
More UnitedHealth Group News
Here are the key news stories impacting UnitedHealth Group this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and guidance raise: UNH reported a quarterly EPS beat and raised FY guidance, which analysts say has driven renewed momentum and a sharp short‑term share rebound. This is the primary driver behind today’s lift. A Look At UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Valuation As Q1 2026 Beat And Guidance Hike Drive Fresh Momentum
- Positive Sentiment: Prior authorization modernization: UnitedHealthcare said it will standardize a majority of electronic prior‑authorization submissions (70%+ by year‑end), reducing provider friction and potentially lowering administrative costs. This supports margin improvement expectations. UnitedHealthcare Champions Industry Effort to Standardize Prior Authorization Requirements
- Positive Sentiment: Large call‑option activity: Reported heavy buying of UNH call options signals bullish positioning from traders anticipating further upside after the earnings beat. That can amplify near‑term upward pressure on the stock. Investors Purchase Large Volume of UnitedHealth Group Call Options
- Positive Sentiment: High‑profile bullish media/analyst commentary: Jim Cramer and several outlets/analysts have highlighted UNH as a buy after the Q1 print, which is helping retail and momentum flows. Jim Cramer Says UNH at $354 Is a Steal — Here’s Why the Math Backs Him Up
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades / favorable coverage: Argus and other outlets have upgraded or upgraded coverage tone recently, adding credibility to the recovery story. Argus Research upgrades UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
- Neutral Sentiment: Valuation debate: Coverage discusses UNH’s P/E and valuation after the rebound; some view the stock as a value play now, while others caution the 1‑year TSR still lags. Valuation is driving contrasting investor views, sustaining volatility. UnitedHealth: Recovery Is Progressing, But Upside May Be Limited Near Term
- Negative Sentiment: Optum Health execution risk / limited near‑term upside: Independent analysis notes that while medical margins improved, Optum Health margins remain challenged and some recovery gains may be non‑structural—this could limit upside if operational recovery stalls. UnitedHealth: Recovery Is Progressing, But Upside May Be Limited Near Term
- Negative Sentiment: Governance proposal: A shareholder proposal seeking an independent board chair is drawing attention; the board opposes it. Governance disputes can create noise and potentially weigh on sentiment if shareholder activism grows. Independent Chair Proposal Tests Governance And Valuation Views At UnitedHealth Group
- Positive Sentiment: Rural health initiative: UNH launched a broad rural health program and prior‑authorization reductions for rural providers, strengthening growth/PR narrative in underserved markets. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) Launches Broad Rural Health Initiative to Strengthen Underserved Communities
- Negative Sentiment: Mixed analyst notes: A recent price‑target adjustment (TD Cowen raise to $337 but maintained Hold) implies limited near‑term upside from some sell‑side desks—this can temper aggressive buy calls. TD Cowen raises price target to $337 (Hold)
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.
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