UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Price Target Raised to $500.00

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) had its price target increased by Mizuho from $493.00 to $500.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the healthcare conglomerate’s stock.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on UNH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $516.00 to $524.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 16th. HC Wainwright set a $500.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Friday, October 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $435.00 to $490.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $450.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, DA Davidson set a $512.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Twenty equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $463.80.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 1.7%

Shares of UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $417.97 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. UnitedHealth Group has a 12-month low of $255.96 and a 12-month high of $461.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $375.16 billion, a PE ratio of 23.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.60. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $388.47 and its 200-day moving average is $389.72.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.14 by $0.55. The business had revenue of $112.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $111.31 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 17.95% and a net margin of 3.53%. UnitedHealth Group’s revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.59 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 20.500- EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group will post 20.62 earnings per share for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 14th were paid a dividend of $2.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 14th. This represents a $9.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.00%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Patrick Conway sold 1,169 shares of UnitedHealth Group 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 sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 15,328 shares in the company, valued at $5,977,920. The trade was a 7.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Nvwm LLC increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 89.2% during the 3rd quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 70 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Altus USA Inc. lifted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 97.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wellington Altus USA Inc. now owns 67 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Security National Bank of SO Dak bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $29,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the third quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors own 87.86% of the company’s stock.

UnitedHealth Group News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter beat and raised outlook support the shares. Adjusted EPS rose approximately 61% to $4.69, exceeding the $4.14 consensus estimate, while revenue reached $112.7 billion versus expectations of $111.3 billion. Management raised its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to at least $20.50, reinforcing investor confidence in its cost controls and execution. UnitedHealth beat-and-raise quarter
• Positive Sentiment: Optum Health’s performance improved materially. The unit’s profit increased to $735 million, helping demonstrate operating leverage and contributing to UnitedHealth’s post-earnings recovery. Optum Health profit surge
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst expectations and valuation support remain favorable. Erste Group raised its FY2026 EPS estimate to $20.55 from $19.86 and its FY2027 estimate to $23.29 from $22.51. Mizuho also lifted its price target to $500 from $493 and maintained an “outperform” rating, implying additional upside from the referenced price. Mizuho raises UnitedHealth price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor attention and value-based coverage may increase trading interest. Zacks highlighted heightened investor attention and characterized UNH as a value stock, but these are sentiment and screening signals rather than new fundamental developments. Zacks value-stock analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Higher 2027 Medicare costs could pressure affordability and margins. The planned increase in costs for seniors may create political and utilization concerns, potentially offsetting some of the recent earnings momentum. Healthcare stocks also faced broader sector pressure in recent trading. UnitedHealth 2027 Medicare costs

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care company that provides health insurance coverage, health care services, pharmacy services and health technology. Its businesses serve individuals, employers, government programs, health care providers and other organizations, primarily in the United States.

The company operates through two principal businesses. UnitedHealthcare offers health benefit plans and related services for employers, individuals, families and government-sponsored programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.