Q1 EPS Forecast for UnitedHealth Group Lowered by Analyst

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, March 19th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the healthcare conglomerate will earn $6.66 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $6.70. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s current full-year earnings is $29.54 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for UnitedHealth Group’s Q2 2027 earnings at $4.97 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $4.29 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $19.83 EPS.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.09 by $0.02. The business 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 company’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.81 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.750- EPS.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on the company. Mizuho dropped their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $350.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $370.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $411.00 to $409.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein restated an “outperform” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $408.00 to $361.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $372.13.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 1.0%

NYSE:UNH opened at $272.30 on Monday. UnitedHealth Group has a one year low of $234.60 and a one year high of $606.36. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $294.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $323.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $247.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.64, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 9th were given a $2.21 dividend. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 9th. UnitedHealth Group’s payout ratio is 67.02%.

Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. North Capital Inc. lifted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 16.2% in the 3rd quarter. North Capital Inc. now owns 194 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the period. Sunflower Bank N.A. raised its position in UnitedHealth Group by 1.5% in the third quarter. Sunflower Bank N.A. now owns 1,916 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $662,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Axis Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Axis Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,631 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $563,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Abound Wealth Management lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 13.5% during the third quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 244 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $84,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Founders Capital Management LLC increased its position in UnitedHealth Group by 3.0% in the fourth quarter. Founders Capital Management LLC now owns 982 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $324,000 after buying an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.86% of the company’s stock.

Key UnitedHealth Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Company reiterates growth/efficiency push and is expanding AI investments to drive operational savings and revenue growth; management reiterated guidance at recent investor conference, which supports a constructive medium‑term outlook. UnitedHealth (UNH) Expands AI Investments to Boost Efficiency
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts and commentators argue recent sell‑off is overdone and UnitedHealth’s diversified model and steady execution make current levels a buying opportunity for long‑term investors. UnitedHealth Group: Fears Remain Overblown In A Panicky Market
• Neutral Sentiment: Several pieces summarize Wall Street analysts’ bullish aggregate ratings (Average Brokerage Recommendation), noting analysts remain generally positive — useful context but may have limited short‑term impact given past optimism in sell‑side ratings. Is It Worth Investing in UnitedHealth (UNH) Based on Wall Street’s Bullish Views?
• Neutral Sentiment: Additional market commentary compares UNH’s steady profile to peers (Centene) and flags relative valuation and yield vs. growth tradeoffs — background analysis for positioning, not an immediate catalyst. The Upside Debate: UnitedHealth’s Consistency vs Centene’s Comeback
• Negative Sentiment: DOJ has escalated an antitrust probe into the relationship between Optum and UnitedHealth’s insurance arm, increasing regulatory risk and headline volatility that can pressure valuation. DOJ Antitrust Probe Puts Focus On UnitedHealth Valuation And Integrated Model
• Negative Sentiment: CVS reached a proposed settlement with the FTC in a high‑profile insulin pricing suit, leaving UnitedHealth (as a PBM/insurer market participant) as a potential remaining defendant/holdout — another legal/regulatory overhang. CVS, FTC reach proposed settlement in insulin pricing case
• Negative Sentiment: Several outlets note analyst downgrades and a pessimistic Zacks earnings estimate; pressure from widening gaps between reimbursement rates and medical expenses is cited as a near‑term profit margin risk. UnitedHealth (UNH) Stock Faces Pressure from Analyst Downgrades and Regulatory Challenges UnitedHealth Stock Is Down 18% in 2026 and Keeps Stumbling Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Estimate for UNH Earnings

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.