Scharf Investments LLC Invests $9.19 Million in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Key Points

• Scharf Investments LLC has invested approximately $9.19 million in UnitedHealth Group, purchasing 29,465 shares, which makes up about 0.3% of its investment portfolio.
• UnitedHealth Group reported $4.08 earnings per share (EPS) for its latest quarter, which missed analysts' expectations of $4.45, while revenue grew by 12.9% year-over-year.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share, representing a yield of 2.6% and a payout ratio of 38.30%.

Scharf Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 29,465 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock, valued at approximately $9,192,000. UnitedHealth Group makes up about 0.3% of Scharf Investments LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of UNH. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 56,142.1% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,295,153 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $4,344,586,000 after buying an additional 8,280,404 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter valued at about $3,846,764,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in UnitedHealth Group by 6.6% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 90,729,585 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $47,519,620,000 after purchasing an additional 5,583,343 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 10.6% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 25,847,940 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $13,537,859,000 after acquiring an additional 2,486,839 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 137.8% during the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 1,641,177 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $859,518,000 after acquiring an additional 950,928 shares during the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

Shares of UNH opened at $336.72 on Monday. 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. The firm has a market cap of $304.96 billion, a PE ratio of 14.59, a PEG ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 0.44. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $295.67 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $363.56.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.45 by ($0.37). UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 5.04% and a return on equity of 23.32%. The company had revenue of $111.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $111.75 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $6.80 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 16.000- EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 EPS for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. UnitedHealth Group's payout ratio is presently 38.30%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $337.00 to $379.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, September 5th. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Baird R W downgraded UnitedHealth Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $355.00 to $286.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $353.00 to $317.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $358.95.

About UnitedHealth Group

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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