Ascent Group LLC Increases Stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Key Points

• Ascent Group LLC increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 21.7%, owning 26,535 shares valued at $13.9 million as of the latest SEC filing.
• UnitedHealth Group's stock has garnered a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $354.86, according to multiple analysts.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share, set to be paid on September 23, contributing to an annual yield of 2.8%.

Ascent Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 21.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 26,535 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after buying an additional 4,730 shares during the quarter. Ascent Group LLC's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $13,898,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of UNH. Bayforest Capital Ltd grew its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 685.7% in the first quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 55 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd grew its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 416.7% in the first quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 62 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Copia Wealth Management purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter worth about $42,000. IAG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Investment Management Corp VA ADV purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.86% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on UNH shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $440.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Robert W. Baird reiterated an "underperform" rating and issued a $198.00 price target (down from $312.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Piper Sandler cut their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $353.00 to $317.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Truist Financial cut their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $360.00 to $345.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $290.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, August 18th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $354.86.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 589 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $305.00, for a total value of $179,645.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 10,398 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,171,390. The trade was a 5.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 1.5%

Shares of UNH opened at $315.10 on Monday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1-year low of $234.60 and a 1-year high of $630.73. The company has a 50-day moving average of $288.78 and a 200 day moving average of $372.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $285.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.65, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.85.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.08 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.45 by ($0.37). UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 5.04% and a return on equity of 23.32%. The business had revenue of $111.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $111.75 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $6.80 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 16.000- EPS. On average, research analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 EPS for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a $2.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. UnitedHealth Group's payout ratio is presently 38.30%.

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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