UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH Shares Acquired by Brandes Investment Partners LP

Brandes Investment Partners LP increased its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 7.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 400,063 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after acquiring an additional 26,951 shares during the quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $132,069,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNH. Norges Bank acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter valued at $4,376,167,000. Capital Research Global Investors increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 126.9% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 13,042,049 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $4,503,419,000 after buying an additional 7,293,009 shares during the period. Capital World Investors increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 18.8% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 21,766,922 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $7,516,107,000 after buying an additional 3,439,182 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 11.1% in the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 17,499,949 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $6,042,710,000 after buying an additional 1,747,337 shares during the period. Finally, Lone Pine Capital LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $528,273,000. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Healthcare is benefiting from a broader shift away from tech, with UNH cited as part of the sector’s defensive appeal as investors look for steadier names during market volatility. As Tech Stocks Slide, The Healthcare Sector Shines. Why Some Experts Say They Like This Defensive Play
• Positive Sentiment: Mizuho raised its price target on UNH to $460 from $440 and kept an outperform rating, signaling confidence in further upside. UnitedHealth Group had its price target raised by Mizuho
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan also lifted its target on UNH to $466 from $420 and reiterated an overweight rating, reinforcing bullish analyst sentiment. UnitedHealth Group had its price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Positive Sentiment: UNH continues to appear on “top value stock” and dividend stock lists, which may be drawing investor attention to the name as a large-cap, income-oriented healthcare holding. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is a Top-Ranked Value Stock: Should You Buy?
• Neutral Sentiment: Several recent articles highlighted UNH in broader thematic pieces about healthcare rotation and the “Bank of Mom and Dad,” but these are more commentary-driven than direct company-specific catalysts. The Bank of Mom and Dad Is Booming—3 Stocks to Watch (UNH)

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 800 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total value of $284,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 17,805 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,320,775. The trade was a 4.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on UNH. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $340.00 to $373.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $278.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $420.00 to $466.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $361.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $407.17.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $412.57 on Wednesday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52 week low of $234.60 and a 52 week high of $413.00. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $353.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is $324.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $374.67 billion, a PE ratio of 31.16, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.64.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.76 by $0.47. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 2.68% and a return on equity of 14.65%. The business had revenue of $111.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.84 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $7.20 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 18.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a $2.32 dividend. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. This is a positive change from UnitedHealth Group's previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 66.77%.

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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