UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Rating Lowered to “Hold” at Zacks Research

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) was downgraded by equities researchers at Zacks Research from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a note issued to investors on Monday, Zacks reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for UnitedHealth Group’s Q4 2027 earnings at $4.06 EPS.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Weiss Ratings downgraded UnitedHealth Group from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $440.00 to $480.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $429.00 to $441.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. HSBC upped their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Bank of America restated a “buy” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Monday, July 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $456.56.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

NYSE:UNH opened at $375.95 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $337.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.19, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.78. UnitedHealth Group has a fifty-two week low of $255.96 and a fifty-two week high of $461.62. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $406.84 and a 200 day moving average price of $369.73.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.94 by $1.44. The business had revenue of $112.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $110.81 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 3.14%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $4.08 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group will post 19.82 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Patrick Conway sold 1,169 shares of the company’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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 15,328 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,977,920. This represents a 7.09% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.19% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter valued at $4,376,167,000. Corient Private Wealth LP purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $245,516,000. Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,444,928,000. Jupiter Topco LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter worth approximately $2,019,844,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 4.6% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 76,863,061 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $31,946,594,000 after acquiring an additional 3,395,530 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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: UnitedHealth’s raised fiscal 2026 earnings outlook, recent revenue and EPS beats, and stable 86.7% medical loss ratio are supporting the bullish case. Analysts have reportedly increased estimates, while the company’s free-cash-flow yield and valuation may attract long-term investors. UnitedHealth: Lagging, But An Upbeat 2026 Outlook Helps Clear The Path
• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth’s use of artificial intelligence across its insurance operations is being highlighted as a potential long-term efficiency and growth driver, reinforcing the company’s competitive positioning. How UnitedHealth Leads the AI Revolution in the Insurance Industry
• Neutral Sentiment: UnitedHealth will report third-quarter 2026 results before the market opens on October 13. The date provides a future catalyst, but does not change current earnings expectations. UnitedHealth Group Announces Earnings Release Date
• Neutral Sentiment: UBS expects UnitedHealth’s earnings-growth outlook to remain broadly intact, although investors continue to focus on Medicare Advantage trends ahead of the next results. UnitedHealth Earnings Growth Outlook Unlikely to Change, UBS Says
• Negative Sentiment: UnitedHealth is selling an interest in underperforming WellMed clinics in Florida to TPG, citing the need for local operating expertise rather than cash. The transaction underscores cost pressures, restrictive Medicare Advantage payments, and the operational reset at Optum Health—issues that are weighing on near-term sentiment. UnitedHealth Partners with TPG to Strengthen Underperforming Florida Clinics
• Negative Sentiment: The September 14 ex-dividend date may create short-term technical pressure, though shareholders of record remain eligible for the $2.32-per-share cash dividend payable September 22. UnitedHealth Group Dividend Analysis

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is a diversified health care and well-being company headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Its operations are organized primarily through two businesses: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health benefit plans and services, and Optum, which delivers health care services, technology, pharmacy care and data-driven solutions.

UnitedHealthcare serves individuals, employers, government programs and other organizations through products that include employer-sponsored health plans, individual and family coverage, Medicare and Medicaid plans, dental and vision benefits, and related administrative services.