UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH Shares Sold by Cypress Asset Management Inc. TX

Key Points

• Cypress Asset Management trimmed its UNH stake by 58.4%, selling 5,129 shares in Q4 and leaving 3,654 shares valued at $1.206 million, while other major institutions increased positions and institutional ownership remains high at 87.86%.
• UNH reported a Q1 beat (EPS $7.23 vs. $6.76; revenue $111.65B vs. $109.84B) and set FY2026 guidance around $18.25 EPS, prompting analyst upgrades and a consensus "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $377.64.
• The company pays a quarterly dividend of $2.21 ($8.84 annualized, ~2.5% yield) and is pursuing margin-supporting initiatives like standardizing electronic prior authorizations and a rural health program, though governance concerns and Optum Health execution risks were flagged as potential negatives.

Cypress Asset Management Inc. TX trimmed its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 58.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,654 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after selling 5,129 shares during the quarter. Cypress Asset Management Inc. TX's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $1,206,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital World Investors lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 18.8% in the third 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 last quarter. Capital International Investors lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 11.1% in the third 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 last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 126.9% in the third 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 last quarter. Dodge & Cox lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 8.6% in the third quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 9,505,636 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $3,282,296,000 after buying an additional 755,076 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.6% during the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 9,109,692 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $3,145,577,000 after purchasing an additional 144,109 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.86% of the company's stock.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE:UNH opened at $355.05 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $293.40 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $317.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $322.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.82, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.80. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $234.60 and a 1 year high of $424.12.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.76 by $0.47. The firm had revenue of $111.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $109.84 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 14.65% and a net margin of 2.68%.UnitedHealth Group's revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $7.20 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 18.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 9th were issued a $2.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 9th. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio is 66.77%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNH has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $370.00 to $397.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $375.00 to $395.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $278.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Mizuho cut their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $350.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $377.64.

Key Headlines Impacting UnitedHealth Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and guidance raise: UNH reported a quarterly EPS beat and raised FY guidance, which analysts say has driven renewed momentum and a sharp short‑term share rebound. This is the primary driver behind today’s lift. A Look At UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Valuation As Q1 2026 Beat And Guidance Hike Drive Fresh Momentum
• Positive Sentiment: Prior authorization modernization: UnitedHealthcare said it will standardize a majority of electronic prior‑authorization submissions (70%+ by year‑end), reducing provider friction and potentially lowering administrative costs. This supports margin improvement expectations. UnitedHealthcare Champions Industry Effort to Standardize Prior Authorization Requirements
• Positive Sentiment: Large call‑option activity: Reported heavy buying of UNH call options signals bullish positioning from traders anticipating further upside after the earnings beat. That can amplify near‑term upward pressure on the stock. Investors Purchase Large Volume of UnitedHealth Group Call Options
• Positive Sentiment: High‑profile bullish media/analyst commentary: Jim Cramer and several outlets/analysts have highlighted UNH as a buy after the Q1 print, which is helping retail and momentum flows. Jim Cramer Says UNH at $354 Is a Steal — Here’s Why the Math Backs Him Up
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades / favorable coverage: Argus and other outlets have upgraded or upgraded coverage tone recently, adding credibility to the recovery story. Argus Research upgrades UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation debate: Coverage discusses UNH’s P/E and valuation after the rebound; some view the stock as a value play now, while others caution the 1‑year TSR still lags. Valuation is driving contrasting investor views, sustaining volatility. UnitedHealth: Recovery Is Progressing, But Upside May Be Limited Near Term
• Negative Sentiment: Optum Health execution risk / limited near‑term upside: Independent analysis notes that while medical margins improved, Optum Health margins remain challenged and some recovery gains may be non‑structural—this could limit upside if operational recovery stalls. UnitedHealth: Recovery Is Progressing, But Upside May Be Limited Near Term
• Negative Sentiment: Governance proposal: A shareholder proposal seeking an independent board chair is drawing attention; the board opposes it. Governance disputes can create noise and potentially weigh on sentiment if shareholder activism grows. Independent Chair Proposal Tests Governance And Valuation Views At UnitedHealth Group
• Positive Sentiment: Rural health initiative: UNH launched a broad rural health program and prior‑authorization reductions for rural providers, strengthening growth/PR narrative in underserved markets. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) Launches Broad Rural Health Initiative to Strengthen Underserved Communities
• Negative Sentiment: Mixed analyst notes: A recent price‑target adjustment (TD Cowen raise to $337 but maintained Hold) implies limited near‑term upside from some sell‑side desks—this can temper aggressive buy calls. TD Cowen raises price target to $337 (Hold)

UnitedHealth Group Profile

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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