Ethic Inc. boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 6.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 91,254 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after acquiring an additional 5,515 shares during the period. UnitedHealth Group accounts for approximately 1.0% of Ethic Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Ethic Inc.'s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $47,737,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Citizens National Bank Trust Department raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 17,886 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $9,368,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 530,103 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $277,641,000 after purchasing an additional 1,465 shares during the period. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $515,000. Full Sail Capital LLC grew its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Full Sail Capital LLC now owns 1,612 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $815,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Soros Fund Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,413,000. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Insider Activity
In related news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 589 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.00, for a total transaction of $179,645.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 10,398 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,171,390. This trade represents a 5.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several equities research analysts have commented on UNH shares. Bank of America dropped their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $350.00 to $300.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. HSBC reiterated a "reduce" rating and set a $270.00 price objective (down previously from $490.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Robert W. Baird reiterated an "underperform" rating and set a $198.00 price objective (down previously from $312.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $515.00 to $350.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $366.52.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance
NYSE UNH opened at $271.79 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $246.15 billion, a PE ratio of 11.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.43. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $288.90 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $399.47. 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 Incorporated has a 1-year low of $234.60 and a 1-year high of $630.73.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.45 by ($0.37). The company had revenue of $111.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $111.75 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 5.04% and a return on equity of 23.32%. UnitedHealth Group's revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $6.80 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.
UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend
The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.30%.
About UnitedHealth Group
(
Free Report)
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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