UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Downgraded to Hold Rating by Zacks Research

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) was downgraded by investment analysts 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.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on the stock. KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $475.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $420.00 to $500.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Erste Group Bank lowered UnitedHealth Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Piper Sandler set a $477.00 price target on UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $460.00 to $490.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. One 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, UnitedHealth Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $456.56.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 2.0%

UNH stock opened at $375.95 on Monday. UnitedHealth Group has a twelve month low of $255.96 and a twelve month high of $461.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $337.46 billion, a PE ratio of 24.19, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $406.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $369.73.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Patrick Conway sold 1,169 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $390.00, for a total value of $455,910.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 15,328 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,977,920. The trade was a 7.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.19% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Principia Wealth Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 55.0% during the second quarter. Principia Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 93 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other 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: 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.