Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Estimate for UNH Earnings

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research increased their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for UnitedHealth Group in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, July 30th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the healthcare conglomerate will post earnings per share of $19.52 for the year, up from their previous forecast of $18.26. Zacks Research currently has a “Strong-Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s current full-year earnings is $19.69 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for UnitedHealth Group’s Q2 2027 earnings at $6.18 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $22.16 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $25.69 EPS.

UNH has been the subject of a number of other reports. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $397.00 to $485.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $470.00 to $493.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. Argus upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $400.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Bank of America reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Monday, July 20th. Finally, KeyCorp raised 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. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $455.92.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Up 0.2%

UNH opened at $415.21 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $377.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.62. UnitedHealth Group has a 12 month low of $236.95 and a 12 month high of $461.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The business has a 50-day moving average of $411.93 and a two-hundred day moving average of $348.89.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.94 by $1.44. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 3.14%.The business had revenue of $112.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.08 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UNH. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 220.0% in 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 during the period. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.86% of the company’s stock.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th were issued a $2.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. This is an increase from UnitedHealth Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. UnitedHealth Group’s payout ratio is currently 59.72%.

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.