NewEdge Advisors LLC Decreases Position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Key Points

• NewEdge Advisors reduced its UnitedHealth Group stake by 25.8% in the first quarter, selling 28,917 shares and retaining 83,019 shares valued at approximately $22.5 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.86% of the company.
• UnitedHealth reported quarterly earnings of $6.38 per share, beating estimates of $4.94, while revenue reached $112.03 billion and 2026 earnings guidance remained at $19.50–$20.00 per share.
• Analysts maintain a favorable outlook, with the stock carrying a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $455.92. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $2.32 per share, or $9.28 annually.

NewEdge Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 25.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 83,019 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after selling 28,917 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $22,464,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 220.0% in the 4th quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 80 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.86% of the company's stock.

UnitedHealth Group News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth was highlighted as a leading long-term value stock by Zacks, supporting the view that its scale, diversified healthcare operations and earnings potential could appeal to long-term investors. Why UnitedHealth Group Is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: UNH was included among healthcare stocks benefiting from strengthening defensive demand and improving earnings expectations. The company’s recent quarterly results also exceeded consensus estimates, with earnings of $6.38 per share versus expectations of $4.94, while maintaining 2026 earnings guidance of $19.50 to $20.00 per share. 4 Healthcare Stocks to Watch as Defensive Demand Strengthens
• Positive Sentiment: A separate report said UnitedHealth is regaining investor favor after a volatile period, suggesting improving sentiment around the company’s outlook and recovery potential. Why UnitedHealth Group Is Regaining Favor After a Volatile Stretch
• Neutral Sentiment: UnitedHealth was described as the leader of its health-insurance peer group, but investors are paying a premium for that perceived quality. The valuation could remain justified if the company sustains superior execution, though it may limit further upside if growth slows. UNH Leads Its Peer Group. You Pay For That
• Negative Sentiment: CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 500 UNH shares for approximately $205,000, reducing his direct holdings by 2.94%. The sale is relatively small compared with his remaining stake, but insider selling can create a modest sentiment headwind. SEC Insider Transaction Filing

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total transaction of $205,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 16,497 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,763,770. This trade represents a 2.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.19% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on UNH shares. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $397.00 to $485.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, June 11th. UBS Group boosted their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $460.00 to $490.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Robert W. Baird raised UnitedHealth Group from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $287.00 to $453.00 in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Finally, Leerink Partners upped their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $462.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $455.92.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $406.54 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $414.09 and a 200 day moving average price of $350.83. The company has a market capitalization of $369.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.16, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.80. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $244.37 and a 1 year high of $461.62.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.94 by $1.44. The company had revenue of $112.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $110.81 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 3.14%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.08 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 19.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $2.32 per share. This represents a $9.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. This is a boost from UnitedHealth Group's previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. UnitedHealth Group's payout ratio is presently 59.72%.

UnitedHealth Group 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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