Baillie Gifford & Co. Sells 50,631 Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)

Key Points

• Baillie Gifford & Co. has reduced its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 6.7%, now holding 707,792 shares valued at approximately $370.7 million.
• UnitedHealth Group's dividend was increased to $2.21 per share, reflecting an annualized yield of 3.17%, payable to stockholders of record.
• Despite recent changes, the average rating for UnitedHealth Group from analysts is a "Moderate Buy," with a consensus price target of $394.43.

Baillie Gifford & Co. cut its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 6.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 707,792 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after selling 50,631 shares during the period. Baillie Gifford & Co. owned 0.08% of UnitedHealth Group worth $370,706,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,375,744,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 56,142.1% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,295,153 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $4,344,586,000 after acquiring an additional 8,280,404 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 36.6% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 8,592,718 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $4,346,712,000 after acquiring an additional 2,301,010 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 12.5% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 9,503,671 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $4,807,527,000 after acquiring an additional 1,058,488 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors grew its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 6.2% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 15,616,007 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $7,899,905,000 after buying an additional 906,365 shares during the period. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group

In related news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 589 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $305.00, for a total transaction of $179,645.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 10,398 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,171,390. This trade represents a 5.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Kristen Gil bought 3,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 15th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $271.17 per share, with a total value of $1,003,329.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 3,818 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,035,327.06. The trade was a 3,135.59% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 109,408 shares of company stock valued at $31,607,768 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

UnitedHealth Group stock traded up $2.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $280.69. The company had a trading volume of 16,445,593 shares, compared to its average volume of 12,350,532. The company has a market cap of $254.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.45. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $301.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $425.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $248.88 and a fifty-two week high of $630.73.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 24th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 16th were issued a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 16th. This is a positive change from UnitedHealth Group's previous quarterly dividend of $2.10. UnitedHealth Group's payout ratio is 37.02%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on UNH shares. Mizuho lowered their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $515.00 to $350.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $525.00 to $355.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 16th. KeyCorp cut their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $450.00 to $400.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Erste Group Bank cut shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Bank of America cut shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $560.00 to $350.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $392.29.

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.