Westpac Banking Corp Trims Stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Westpac Banking Corp lowered its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) by 21.9% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 28,076 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after selling 7,871 shares during the period. Westpac Banking Corp’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $9,695,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter valued at $29,000. Islay Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Hurley Capital LLC lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 81.6% during the third quarter. Hurley Capital LLC now owns 89 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. Finally, Cloud Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNH opened at $284.11 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $257.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.41. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $234.60 and a fifty-two week high of $606.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.79. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $313.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $325.44.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.09 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $113.73 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 business’s quarterly revenue was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $6.81 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.750- EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 9th will be issued a $2.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 9th. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. UnitedHealth Group’s payout ratio is 67.02%.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Company announced a quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share (3.1% yield) with record date Mar 9 and payment Mar 17, which provides near-term income support and may attract income-focused investors. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts note UNH has underperformed the Dow over the past year but remain cautiously optimistic about long-term prospects; this frames the move as risk-reward reassessment rather than a clear directional verdict. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Institutional selling: Aristotle Growth Equity Fund exited its UNH position, citing lowered company guidance — a vote of concern from a money manager that can amplify downward pressure if followed by others. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Major near-term headwinds: reporting suggests a “perfect storm” — disappointing 2026 guidance plus a proposed near-flat government reimbursement update for 2027 — drove a recent ~23% slide and keeps upside capped until clarity on reimbursements and earnings trajectory. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Profitability pressure at core business: UnitedHealthcare revenue grew, but adjusted operating earnings fell sharply (medical costs and reduced Medicare funding cited), signaling margin risk that could weigh on near-term EPS recovery. Read More.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho lowered their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $350.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated an “outperform” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Evercore raised shares of UnitedHealth Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. KeyCorp reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Oppenheimer decreased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $415.00 to $385.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $372.13.

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.