Russell Investments Group Ltd. Boosts Stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Key Points

• Russell Investments increased its UnitedHealth stake by 11% in the second quarter, adding 138,837 shares to own 1.4 million shares valued at approximately $581.6 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.86% of the company.
• Analysts maintain a broadly positive view of UNH, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $455.92. Recent targets range from $380 to $478.
• UnitedHealth reported quarterly EPS of $6.38, exceeding estimates, and announced a quarterly dividend of $2.32, equivalent to a 2.4% annual yield. However, the company faces governance, cybersecurity and coverage-denial litigation risks, while its CEO sold 500 shares.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 11.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,397,476 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after acquiring an additional 138,837 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group accounts for about 0.5% of Russell Investments Group Ltd.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned approximately 0.15% of UnitedHealth Group worth $581,611,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. TFR Capital LLC. raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. TFR Capital LLC. now owns 1,754 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $729,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. One Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $237,000. Maridea Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $544,000. Ridgecrest Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $232,000. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC raised its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 28.0% in the 2nd quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 412 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $171,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at UnitedHealth Group

In other news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total transaction of $205,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 16,497 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,763,770. The trade was a 2.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.19% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently weighed in on UNH shares. HSBC boosted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Leerink Partners lifted their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $462.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 17th. Bank of America restated a "buy" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $463.00 to $478.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Argus raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $400.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Two 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, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $455.92.

Trending Headlines about UnitedHealth Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street analysts remain broadly optimistic on UnitedHealth (UNH), with the average brokerage recommendation indicating a favorable view. However, analyst ratings can be subject to overly positive bias. Wall Street Bulls Look Optimistic About UnitedHealth
• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth authorized a dividend, reinforcing shareholder returns and potentially supporting investor confidence while the company faces broader governance scrutiny. UnitedHealth Authorizes Dividend Amid Governance Lawsuit
• Neutral Sentiment: The reported guilty plea by Luigi Mangione in the federal case involving the killing of former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson could provide additional legal clarity, but the direct effect on UnitedHealth’s operations and valuation appears limited. Luigi Mangione Reportedly Set to Plead Guilty
• Neutral Sentiment: An analysis argues that much of UnitedHealth’s expected margin recovery may already be reflected in the stock, making future revenue and membership growth important tests for further upside. UnitedHealth Margin Recovery Is Priced In
• Negative Sentiment: A shareholder lawsuit alleges that UnitedHealth executives ignored governance and cybersecurity weaknesses, discontinued an internal Medicare billing audit and failed to address risks preceding the Change Healthcare cyberattack. The allegations could increase litigation, regulatory and reputational risks. Investor Suit Says UnitedHealth Ignored Governance and Cybersecurity Gaps
• Negative Sentiment: A related derivative suit reportedly says patients won about 90% of appeals against coverage denials generated by an artificial-intelligence system and alleges executives knew about the issue. If substantiated, the claims could bring additional compliance costs, damages and scrutiny. UNH Patients Win 90 Percent of AI Denial Appeals

UnitedHealth Group Trading Down 0.4%

NYSE:UNH opened at $394.16 on Wednesday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12-month low of $255.96 and a 12-month 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 business has a 50 day simple moving average of $415.15 and a 200 day simple moving average of $354.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $353.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.62.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.94 by $1.44. The company had revenue of $112.03 billion for 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 firm's quarterly revenue was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $4.08 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 19.69 EPS for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

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

About UnitedHealth Group

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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