Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV Lowers Stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)

Key Points

• Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV has decreased its stake in UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) by 28.9%, holding 8,704 shares worth approximately $4.56 million after selling 3,533 shares in the first quarter.
• UnitedHealth Group's recent earnings report showed an EPS of $4.08, missing analysts' estimates of $4.45, with revenue at $111.62 billion which exceeds expectations.
• The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share, scheduled for payout on September 23rd, 2023, representing an annualized yield of 3.3%.

Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV reduced its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 28.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,704 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after selling 3,533 shares during the period. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $4,559,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Citizens National Bank Trust Department raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.0% during the first quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 17,886 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $9,368,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 0.3% during the first quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 530,103 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $277,641,000 after purchasing an additional 1,465 shares during the last quarter. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $515,000. Full Sail Capital LLC grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Full Sail Capital LLC now owns 1,612 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $815,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the period. Finally, Soros Fund Management LLC bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,413,000. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 0.0%

UNH stock opened at $271.79 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $288.90 and a 200 day moving average of $399.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $246.15 billion, a PE ratio of 11.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52 week low of $234.60 and a 52 week high of $630.73.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.08 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.45 by ($0.37). UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 23.32% and a net margin of 5.04%. The company had revenue of $111.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $111.75 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $6.80 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $2.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.30%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UNH has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $521.00 to $362.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Hsbc Global Res downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "hold" rating to a "moderate sell" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $306.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 4th. TD Cowen downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $308.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Finally, Baird R W downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $366.52.

Insider Transactions at UnitedHealth Group

In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 589 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

UnitedHealth Group 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.

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