UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Shares Sold by Sienna Gestion

Key Points

• Sienna Gestion has reduced its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 9.5%, owning 24,365 shares worth approximately $12.4 million after selling 2,571 shares in the first quarter.
• Several large investors significantly increased their stakes in UnitedHealth Group, including GAMMA Investing LLC, which raised its position by over 56,000% during the same period.
• UnitedHealth Group is set to pay a quarterly dividend of $2.21 on September 23, representing an annualized dividend yield of 3.3%.

Sienna Gestion cut its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 9.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,365 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after selling 2,571 shares during the period. UnitedHealth Group makes up approximately 1.0% of Sienna Gestion's investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Sienna Gestion's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $12,404,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 176.2% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 44,249 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $22,384,000 after acquiring an additional 28,231 shares during the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in 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 buying an additional 2,324 shares during the last quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG increased its position in UnitedHealth Group by 3.9% during the fourth quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 263,655 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $133,373,000 after buying an additional 9,872 shares during the last quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. increased its position in UnitedHealth Group by 36.1% during the fourth quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 656 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $332,000 after buying an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,321,000. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at UnitedHealth Group

In related news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 589 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 10,398 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,171,390. This trade represents a 5.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 12.0%

NYSE:UNH traded up $32.53 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $304.02. 67,934,484 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 19,286,994. The stock has a market capitalization of $275.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.17, a PEG ratio of 1.96 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. The firm's 50 day moving average is $288.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $396.85.

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

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.30%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UNH has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wolfe Research lowered their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $501.00 to $390.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. HSBC restated a "reduce" rating and set a $270.00 price objective (down previously from $490.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Argus cut UnitedHealth Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, April 21st. Mizuho reduced their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $515.00 to $350.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $366.52.

UnitedHealth Group Company 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.