UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Given New $504.00 Price Target at Piper Sandler

Key Points

• Piper Sandler raised UnitedHealth’s price target to $504 from $502 and maintained an “overweight” rating, implying nearly 30% upside from the prior close. Analysts overall rate the stock “Moderate Buy,” with a consensus target of $461.83.
• UnitedHealth beat third-quarter expectations, reporting $4.69 in adjusted EPS versus $4.14 expected and $112.7 billion in revenue versus $111.3 billion forecast. Management raised 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to at least $20.50.
• Profitability risks remain as commercial medical costs, Medicaid pressures, relatively flat year-over-year revenue, and Medicare membership changes continue to weigh on investor sentiment; analyst views remain mixed despite the earnings beat.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by equities researchers at Piper Sandler from $502.00 to $504.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an "overweight" rating on the healthcare conglomerate's stock. Piper Sandler's price target would indicate a potential upside of 29.84% from the company's previous close.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $463.00 to $478.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, July 17th. Leerink Partners upped their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $462.00 to $472.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. HSBC boosted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $397.00 to $485.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $435.00 to $490.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Twenty research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $461.83.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNH traded up $10.41 on Wednesday, hitting $388.17. The stock had a trading volume of 3,802,300 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,359,070. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $387.44 and its 200-day moving average price is $382.57. 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 twelve month low of $255.96 and a twelve month high of $461.62. The company has a market capitalization of $348.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.60.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.14 by $0.55. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.14% and a return on equity of 16.53%. The firm had revenue of $112.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $111.31 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.59 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 20.500- EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group will post 19.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Patrick Conway sold 1,169 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $390.00, for a total value of $455,910.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 15,328 shares in the company, valued at $5,977,920. This represents a 7.09% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.19% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UNH. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 20.7% during the 3rd quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 21,294 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $7,817,000 after purchasing an additional 3,653 shares in the last quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. grew its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. now owns 33,275 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $12,215,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares in the last quarter. My Personal CFO LLC increased its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. My Personal CFO LLC now owns 1,269 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $466,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. XY Planning Network Inc. lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. XY Planning Network Inc. now owns 2,277 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $836,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allied Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. Allied Investment Advisors LLC now owns 641 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $235,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. 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: Third-quarter results exceeded expectations. Adjusted EPS was $4.69 versus the $4.14 consensus, while revenue of $112.7 billion topped estimates of $111.3 billion. Operating earnings increased 52% to $6.6 billion, helped by lower medical costs and improved execution. UnitedHealth Group tops estimates, hikes profit outlook as insurer manages high medical costs
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised 2026 guidance. UnitedHealth now expects adjusted EPS of at least $20.50, above the roughly $19.86 analyst consensus, reinforcing confidence in recovering margins. UnitedHealth Group Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: The 2027 outlook is improving. Executives highlighted a long-term earnings-growth target of 13% to 16%, potential margin recovery in Medicaid after 2026, and continued benefits from artificial intelligence. AI tools reportedly reduced clinical-review times by 33%, while the medical care ratio improved to 88.4%. UNH Q3 Earnings Call Highlights 2027 Growth and Margin Recovery
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst opinion remains mixed. Mizuho maintained UnitedHealth as a top healthcare pick, while Barclays trimmed its target to $440 but kept an overweight rating. Baird cut its target to $427 and assigned a neutral rating. UnitedHealth Stock Forecast: TD Cowen Stays Cautious Even as Mizuho Names UNH a Top Pick
• Negative Sentiment: Risks remain around profitability. Commercial medical costs and Medicaid pressures continue to challenge margins, and some analysts lowered forecasts following the results. Revenue was essentially flat year over year, while the company’s Medicare business changes and membership reductions remain concerns for investors. UnitedHealth Analysts Slash Their Forecasts Following Q3 Results

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated NYSE: UNH is a diversified health care and well-being company serving individuals, employers, health care providers and government programs. Its operations are organized primarily through UnitedHealthcare and Optum.

UnitedHealthcare provides health benefit plans and services, including employer-sponsored coverage, individual and family plans, Medicare and Medicaid offerings, and other government-supported programs. Its services include health insurance administration, pharmacy benefits and care management.

Optum provides health care services, technology and data solutions, pharmacy services, and analytics to health plans, employers, government agencies, health care providers and consumers.

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