UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Shares Acquired by Wesleyan Assurance Society

Wesleyan Assurance Society increased its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 19.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 61,555 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after acquiring an additional 10,180 shares during the period. UnitedHealth Group comprises about 2.4% of Wesleyan Assurance Society's portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Wesleyan Assurance Society's holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $32,223,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of UNH. Citizens National Bank Trust Department grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.0% in the first quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 17,886 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $9,368,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 0.3% in the first quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 530,103 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $277,641,000 after purchasing an additional 1,465 shares during the last quarter. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter worth about $515,000. Full Sail Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 2.1% in the fourth quarter. Full Sail Capital LLC now owns 1,612 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $815,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Soros Fund Management LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter worth about $39,413,000. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of UNH traded up $3.06 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $285.20. The company's stock had a trading volume of 14,233,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,873,392. The company's 50-day moving average is $304.47 and its 200-day moving average is $432.39. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52-week low of $248.88 and a 52-week high of $630.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $258.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.94, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.45.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 24th. Investors of record on Monday, June 16th were given a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 16th. This is a positive change from UnitedHealth Group's previous quarterly dividend of $2.10. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.02%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. TD Securities reiterated a "hold" rating and set a $308.00 target price (down from $520.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Monday, May 19th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, May 24th. TD Cowen downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $308.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $525.00 to $355.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $312.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, June 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $394.43.

Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group

In related news, CEO Stephen J. Hemsley purchased 86,700 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 16th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $288.57 per share, with a total value of $25,019,019.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 679,493 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $196,081,295.01. The trade was a 14.63% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Timothy Patrick Flynn acquired 1,533 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $320.80 per share, with a total value of $491,786.40. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 6,033 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,935,386.40. This represents a 34.07% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 109,408 shares of company stock valued at $31,607,768 in the last quarter. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.