UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Stock Rating Upgraded by Wall Street Zen

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Saturday.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $463.00 to $478.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, July 17th. Barclays raised their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $429.00 to $441.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 20th. HC Wainwright set a $492.00 price target on UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $460.00 to $490.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $455.92.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Down 0.1%

UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $406.54 on Friday. UnitedHealth Group has a one year low of $244.37 and a one year high of $461.62. The stock has a market cap of $369.20 billion, a PE ratio of 26.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.78. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $414.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $350.97.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.94 by $1.44. The firm had revenue of $112.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.81 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.14% and a return on equity of 16.53%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.08 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group will post 19.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total value of $205,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 16,497 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,763,770. This represents a 2.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.19% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Synergy Financial Group LTD boosted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Synergy Financial Group LTD now owns 887 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $369,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares during the period. LFG Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 3.3% during the second quarter. LFG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 853 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $355,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Ares Financial Consulting LLC grew its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter. Ares Financial Consulting LLC now owns 419 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $174,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,746 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $576,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Founders Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 3.0% during the fourth quarter. Founders Capital Management LLC now owns 982 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $324,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth was highlighted as a leading long-term value stock by Zacks, supporting the view that its scale, diversified healthcare operations and earnings potential could appeal to long-term investors. Why UnitedHealth Group Is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: UNH was included among healthcare stocks benefiting from strengthening defensive demand and improving earnings expectations. The company’s recent quarterly results also exceeded consensus estimates, with earnings of $6.38 per share versus expectations of $4.94, while maintaining 2026 earnings guidance of $19.50 to $20.00 per share. 4 Healthcare Stocks to Watch as Defensive Demand Strengthens
• Positive Sentiment: A separate report said UnitedHealth is regaining investor favor after a volatile period, suggesting improving sentiment around the company’s outlook and recovery potential. Why UnitedHealth Group Is Regaining Favor After a Volatile Stretch
• Neutral Sentiment: UnitedHealth was described as the leader of its health-insurance peer group, but investors are paying a premium for that perceived quality. The valuation could remain justified if the company sustains superior execution, though it may limit further upside if growth slows. UNH Leads Its Peer Group. You Pay For That
• Negative Sentiment: CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 500 UNH shares for approximately $205,000, reducing his direct holdings by 2.94%. The sale is relatively small compared with his remaining stake, but insider selling can create a modest sentiment headwind. SEC Insider Transaction Filing

About UnitedHealth Group

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.