Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ Has $231.66 Million Holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)

Key Points

• Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ sold 74,071 shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, reducing its stake by 14.3% to hold 442,301 shares, valued at approximately $231.7 million.
• Several hedge funds have recently adjusted their positions in UnitedHealth Group, with notable increases from Capital International Investors and Northern Trust Corp, indicating ongoing institutional interest in the stock.
• UnitedHealth Group has announced an increase in its quarterly dividend from $2.10 to $2.21, reflecting a positive change and a dividend yield of 3.17%.

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ cut its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 14.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 442,301 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after selling 74,071 shares during the period. UnitedHealth Group accounts for about 1.1% of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ's holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $231,655,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UNH. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 176.2% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 44,249 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $22,384,000 after purchasing an additional 28,231 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 137.1% during the fourth quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,019 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $2,033,000 after purchasing an additional 2,324 shares during the period. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG lifted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 3.9% in the fourth quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 263,655 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $133,373,000 after acquiring an additional 9,872 shares during the period. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. lifted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 59.3% in the fourth quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 3,835 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $1,940,000 after acquiring an additional 1,428 shares during the period. Finally, Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. lifted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 8.3% in the fourth quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. now owns 1,756 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $888,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares during the period. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group

In related news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 589 shares of the business'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 value of $179,645.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 10,398 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,171,390. The trade was a 5.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO John F. Rex purchased 17,175 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 16th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $291.12 per share, with a total value of $4,999,986.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer owned 203,796 shares in the company, valued at $59,329,091.52. This represents a 9.20% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have bought 109,408 shares of company stock worth $31,607,768. Company insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

UnitedHealth Group stock traded up $2.11 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $280.69. The company's stock had a trading volume of 16,445,593 shares, compared to its average volume of 12,350,532. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $301.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $425.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The company has a market capitalization of $254.62 billion, a PE ratio of 11.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.45. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12 month low of $248.88 and a 12 month high of $630.73.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 16th were issued a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 16th. This is an increase from UnitedHealth Group's previous quarterly dividend of $2.10. UnitedHealth Group's payout ratio is presently 37.02%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UNH has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Erste Group Bank downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Mizuho cut their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $515.00 to $350.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 16th. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $450.00 to $400.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, May 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $392.29.

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.