UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Shares Sold by State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D

Key Points

• The State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D reduced its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 8.5%, owning 310,687 shares valued at approximately $162.7 million, making it the fund's 19th largest holding.
• UnitedHealth Group's recent earnings report showed an EPS of $4.08, below the consensus estimate of $4.45, with a 12.9% increase in revenue year-over-year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share, yielding 3.3% annually, with a payout ratio of 38.3%.

State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D lessened its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 8.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 310,687 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after selling 28,818 shares during the period. UnitedHealth Group comprises about 0.7% of State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D's portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest holding. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $162,722,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 685.7% during the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 55 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 416.7% during the 1st quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 62 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.86% of the company's stock.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of UNH opened at $271.79 on Friday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $234.60 and a fifty-two week high of $630.73. The company has a market capitalization of $246.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.43. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $288.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $399.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85.

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

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.30%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 589 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Raymond James Financial lowered UnitedHealth Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. KeyCorp decreased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Barclays restated an "overweight" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. UBS Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $418.00 to $310.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $366.52.

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.

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