Q1 EPS Forecast for UnitedHealth Group Boosted by Analyst

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of UnitedHealth Group in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, February 10th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the healthcare conglomerate will earn $6.77 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $5.67. 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 Q4 2026 earnings at $2.82 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $17.81 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $4.30 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $19.90 EPS.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $408.00 to $361.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated an “outperform” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $425.00 to $389.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $372.13.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

UNH stock opened at $278.75 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $252.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.13, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $322.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of $323.07. UnitedHealth Group has a fifty-two week low of $234.60 and a fifty-two week high of $606.36.

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $25,000. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 220.0% during the fourth 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 acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.86% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about UnitedHealth Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised several near-term quarterly EPS forecasts (Q1 2027, Q2 2026 and Q2 2027), highlighting pockets of stronger short‑term earnings momentum that may support near-term valuation. MarketBeat UNH
• Positive Sentiment: Despite the revenue/guidance pullback, analysts note robust cash generation — operating cash flow near $18B and strong levered free cash flow — which supports liquidity, capital return potential and longer‑term recovery prospects. UnitedHealth: After The Collapse
• Neutral Sentiment: News roundups (earnings recap) summarize the core moves: slight EPS beat, revenue short of estimates, and management’s downward 2026 revenue guide — useful context but largely repetitive of primary reports. Yahoo: Here’s What Happened to UnitedHealth Group
• Negative Sentiment: Mizuho cut its price target to $350 (from $430) after Q4 results, signaling reduced medium‑term upside even though the firm kept an Outperform rating — a clear drag on sentiment and analyst‑driven demand. Mizuho Lowers UNH Target
• Negative Sentiment: Management trimmed 2026 revenue guidance to $439B (from $448B), the company’s first annual decline in decades — this fuels near‑term concern about Medicare Advantage headwinds and margin normalization. UnitedHealth: After The Collapse
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks also cut some future-quarter EPS forecasts (notably Q3 2026 and Q4 2027) and projects a lower FY2028 EPS, reflecting lingering uncertainty in revenue/margin recovery that could pressure medium‑term estimates. MarketBeat UNH
• Negative Sentiment: Social and market commentary highlight the earnings reaction — revenue miss, Medicare Advantage worries and cyberattack aftereffects — which drove heavy selling in immediate post‑earnings sessions and keeps near‑term volatility elevated. QuiverQuant Opinions

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.