Ashton Thomas Securities LLC Buys 3,894 Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Key Points

• Ashton Thomas Securities LLC increased its stake in UnitedHealth by 343.1%, buying 3,894 shares in Q4 to hold 5,029 shares valued at about $1.66 million.
• UnitedHealth beat Q1 estimates (EPS $7.23 vs. $6.76; revenue $111.65B vs. $109.84B), raised FY2026 EPS guidance to 18.25, and has drawn multiple analyst upgrades and a consensus target of $378.88, helping fuel a recent rally and inclusion on Goldman Sachs' conviction list.
• The stock pays a quarterly dividend of $2.21 (annualized yield ~2.4%, payout ratio ~66.8%), while CEO Patrick Conway modestly trimmed his holding by selling 800 shares (~$284k).

Ashton Thomas Securities LLC lifted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 343.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,029 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after purchasing an additional 3,894 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $1,663,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in UNH. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Joseph Group Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 69.4% during the 3rd quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC now owns 83 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. 1248 Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Holos Integrated Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors own 87.86% of the company's stock.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

UNH opened at $369.29 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $335.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.63. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52-week low of $234.60 and a 52-week high of $409.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.80. The business's fifty day moving average is $299.45 and its 200-day moving average is $317.38.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.76 by $0.47. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 14.65% and a net margin of 2.68%.The company had revenue of $111.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.84 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $7.20 EPS. UnitedHealth Group's quarterly revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 18.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 9th were given a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 9th. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 66.77%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on UNH shares. Argus raised UnitedHealth Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $400.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $370.00 to $397.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Leerink Partners upped their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $345.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Raymond James Financial raised UnitedHealth Group from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Finally, HSBC raised UnitedHealth Group from a "reduce" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $300.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $378.88.

Insider Buying and Selling at UnitedHealth Group

In related news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 800 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total transaction of $284,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 17,805 shares in the company, valued at $6,320,775. This represents a 4.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

More UnitedHealth Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and outlook lift — UnitedHealth reported a sizable Q1 beat, raised its 2026 outlook and earlier popped ~14.5% on the results, giving the company fresh earnings momentum that supports higher valuations. UnitedHealth Pops 14.5% After Q1 Beat: Still a Buy or Too Late Now?
• Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs endorsement — Goldman added UNH to its U.S. conviction list, a notable buy-side vote that can attract institutional flows and lend support to the stock. Goldman Sachs Adds UnitedHealth to Its Conviction List: Is the Managed Care Comeback Real?
• Positive Sentiment: Strong recent momentum vs. peers — UNH slightly outperformed Humana in April’s managed-care rally, signaling resilience vs. a key peer during a positive sector backdrop. UnitedHealth or Humana: Which Managed Care Stock Had the Healthiest Returns in April?
• Positive Sentiment: Buy thesis discussion — Analyst commentary is probing whether UNH is now undervalued after the rally, which can attract long-term buy interest if investors buy the growth/Optum story. Is UnitedHealth Stock an Undervalued Stock to Buy?
• Neutral Sentiment: CVS valuation context — Coverage noting CVS trades much cheaper than UNH highlights relative valuation differences that may shift some value-oriented flows away from UNH. CVS Earnings Are Coming. Why the Stock Is No Longer a Value Trap.
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro/ETF context — A note on the Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF is tangential but relevant for portfolio allocation decisions that could affect large-cap names like UNH. Should Invesco S&P 500 Revenue ETF (RWL) Be on Your Investing Radar?
• Negative Sentiment: Competitor strength — Cigna reported strong results led by Evernorth, and an improving peer picture can pressure market-share expectations or investor preference within the sector. Cigna Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates on Strong Evernorth Unit
• Negative Sentiment: Insider trimming — Optum CEO Patrick Conway sold about $284k of UNH stock after earnings (his first 2026 sale), which can be read as modest profit-taking and may add to near-term selling pressure. UnitedHealth Stock Has Rallied Since Earnings. One Top Insider Is Trimming His Stake.

UnitedHealth Group Profile

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.

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