Calamos Advisors LLC Sells 7,080 Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Key Points

• Calamos Advisors LLC trimmed its UnitedHealth stake by 2.9%, selling 7,080 shares and leaving it with 239,803 shares valued at about $79.16 million.
• Q1 beat and guidance raise: UnitedHealth reported EPS of $7.23 (vs. $6.76 est.) and $111.65B revenue, raised FY‑2026 EPS guidance to $18.25, and carries a MarketBeat consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $377.64.
• Positive catalysts—standardizing electronic prior‑authorizations, a rural health initiative, heavy call‑option buying and analyst upgrades—have boosted sentiment, though concerns persist about Optum Health margins and a shareholder proposal for an independent chair.

Calamos Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 2.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 239,803 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after selling 7,080 shares during the period. Calamos Advisors LLC's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $79,161,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNH. Guerra Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,059,000. Carnegie Investment Counsel boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 2.2% in the third quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 105,621 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $36,471,000 after buying an additional 2,316 shares in the last quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 111.5% in the third quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. now owns 41,986 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $14,282,000 after buying an additional 22,137 shares in the last quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 59.1% in the third quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 12,380 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $4,275,000 after buying an additional 4,600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $13,691,000. Institutional investors own 87.86% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on UNH shares. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $405.00 to $411.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Raymond James Financial raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. Evercore raised shares of UnitedHealth Group to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Leerink Partners raised their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $345.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $278.00 to $287.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $377.64.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and guidance raise: UNH reported a quarterly EPS beat and raised FY guidance, which analysts say has driven renewed momentum and a sharp short‑term share rebound. This is the primary driver behind today’s lift. A Look At UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Valuation As Q1 2026 Beat And Guidance Hike Drive Fresh Momentum
• Positive Sentiment: Prior authorization modernization: UnitedHealthcare said it will standardize a majority of electronic prior‑authorization submissions (70%+ by year‑end), reducing provider friction and potentially lowering administrative costs. This supports margin improvement expectations. UnitedHealthcare Champions Industry Effort to Standardize Prior Authorization Requirements
• Positive Sentiment: Large call‑option activity: Reported heavy buying of UNH call options signals bullish positioning from traders anticipating further upside after the earnings beat. That can amplify near‑term upward pressure on the stock. Investors Purchase Large Volume of UnitedHealth Group Call Options
• Positive Sentiment: High‑profile bullish media/analyst commentary: Jim Cramer and several outlets/analysts have highlighted UNH as a buy after the Q1 print, which is helping retail and momentum flows. Jim Cramer Says UNH at $354 Is a Steal — Here’s Why the Math Backs Him Up
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades / favorable coverage: Argus and other outlets have upgraded or upgraded coverage tone recently, adding credibility to the recovery story. Argus Research upgrades UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation debate: Coverage discusses UNH’s P/E and valuation after the rebound; some view the stock as a value play now, while others caution the 1‑year TSR still lags. Valuation is driving contrasting investor views, sustaining volatility. UnitedHealth: Recovery Is Progressing, But Upside May Be Limited Near Term
• Negative Sentiment: Optum Health execution risk / limited near‑term upside: Independent analysis notes that while medical margins improved, Optum Health margins remain challenged and some recovery gains may be non‑structural—this could limit upside if operational recovery stalls. UnitedHealth: Recovery Is Progressing, But Upside May Be Limited Near Term
• Negative Sentiment: Governance proposal: A shareholder proposal seeking an independent board chair is drawing attention; the board opposes it. Governance disputes can create noise and potentially weigh on sentiment if shareholder activism grows. Independent Chair Proposal Tests Governance And Valuation Views At UnitedHealth Group
• Positive Sentiment: Rural health initiative: UNH launched a broad rural health program and prior‑authorization reductions for rural providers, strengthening growth/PR narrative in underserved markets. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) Launches Broad Rural Health Initiative to Strengthen Underserved Communities
• Negative Sentiment: Mixed analyst notes: A recent price‑target adjustment (TD Cowen raise to $337 but maintained Hold) implies limited near‑term upside from some sell‑side desks—this can temper aggressive buy calls. TD Cowen raises price target to $337 (Hold)

UnitedHealth Group Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE UNH opened at $355.05 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $322.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $293.40 and a 200-day moving average price of $317.33. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $234.60 and a 1 year high of $424.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.79.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.76 by $0.47. The firm had revenue of $111.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $109.84 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 2.68% and a return on equity of 14.65%. The business's revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $7.20 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 18.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 9th were issued a dividend of $2.21 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 9th. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. UnitedHealth Group's payout ratio is 67.02%.

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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