Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC Makes New Investment in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Key Points

• Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors purchased 14,604 shares of UnitedHealth Group worth approximately $6.07 million, making UNH 1.8% of its portfolio. Institutional investors collectively own 87.86% of the stock.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $455.92 after several firms raised their targets.
• UnitedHealth exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $6.38 EPS versus a $4.94 consensus estimate, and declared a quarterly dividend of $2.32 per share, equivalent to a 2.4% annual yield.

Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 14,604 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock, valued at approximately $6,070,000. UnitedHealth Group comprises 1.8% of Bell & Brown Wealth Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UNH. Northcape Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $272,000. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth about $14,281,000. Uptick Partners LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $210,000. CM Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $399,000. Finally, Madison Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $17,614,000. 87.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group

In other news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total value of $205,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 16,497 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,763,770. This trade represents a 2.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.19% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on UNH shares. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $460.00 to $490.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $466.00 to $516.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $468.00 to $529.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, July 17th. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised UnitedHealth Group from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and upped their target price for the company from $287.00 to $453.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $455.92.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of NYSE UNH opened at $390.94 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $413.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $355.96. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1-year low of $255.96 and a 1-year high of $461.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $350.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.62.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.94 by $1.44. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.14% and a return on equity of 16.53%. The business had revenue of $112.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.81 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.08 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 19.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 14th will be issued a $2.32 dividend. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 14th. UnitedHealth Group's payout ratio is currently 59.72%.

UnitedHealth Group News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth is reportedly prioritizing Medicare Advantage profitability over rapid membership growth by tightening benefits, improving pricing and controlling costs. The strategy could support stronger margins and more sustainable earnings, even if enrollment growth moderates. Is UnitedHealth Finding a Better Path to Medicare Advantage Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research added UNH to its Rank #1, or “Strong Buy,” lists for overall stocks, value stocks and income stocks. The repeated favorable rankings may reinforce investor confidence in the shares. New Strong Buy Stocks for August 21st
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised several forward EPS estimates, including Q1 2028 to $7.36 from $6.78 and Q2 2028 to $7.19 from $5.84. A separate report also noted an increase in the Q1 EPS estimate, while Zacks maintained a Strong Buy rating. Q1 EPS Estimate for UnitedHealth Group Increased by Analyst
• Neutral Sentiment: Forecast revisions were mixed: Q3 2027 EPS was reduced to $4.74 from $4.81 and Q4 2027 to $4.07 from $4.12, partially offsetting the increases for 2028.
• Negative Sentiment: Aon expects U.S. employer health-care costs to rise 9.5% in 2027. Persistent medical-cost inflation could pressure insurers’ margins and increase pricing, benefit and utilization-management challenges for UnitedHealth. AON Sees No Relief From Health-Cost Inflation

UnitedHealth Group Company 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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