Western Financial Corp CA Buys 12,607 Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Key Points

• Western Financial Corp CA initiated a position of 12,607 UnitedHealth shares worth approximately $4.63 million, making UNH about 1.5% of its portfolio and its 16th-largest holding.
• UnitedHealth exceeded quarterly expectations with adjusted EPS of $4.69 versus $4.14 expected and revenue of $112.7 billion versus $111.31 billion. Management raised its 2026 adjusted earnings guidance to at least $20.50 per share.
• UNH traded near $396, while analysts maintained a generally positive outlook with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $461.83. The company also pays a $2.32 quarterly dividend, equivalent to a 2.3% annualized yield.

Western Financial Corp CA purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 12,607 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock, valued at approximately $4,628,000. UnitedHealth Group accounts for approximately 1.5% of Western Financial Corp CA's investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNH. Fortress Financial Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the third quarter worth about $399,000. Triumph Capital Management lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 1,915 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $703,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC now owns 10,041 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $3,686,000 after acquiring an additional 390 shares during the period. Sanders Morris Harris LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $804,000. Finally, Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 28.4% in the third quarter. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 5,630 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $2,067,000 after acquiring an additional 1,245 shares in the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

NYSE:UNH traded up $18.26 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $396.02. 7,756,192 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,380,452. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $387.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $383.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $355.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.78. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a twelve month low of $255.96 and a twelve month high of $461.62.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.14 by $0.55. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.14% and a return on equity of 16.53%. The business had revenue of $112.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $111.31 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.59 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 20.500- EPS. On average, analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 19.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, September 14th were issued a dividend of $2.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 14th. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. UnitedHealth Group's payout ratio is presently 59.72%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Patrick Conway sold 1,169 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $390.00, for a total value of $455,910.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 15,328 shares in the company, valued at $5,977,920. The trade was a 7.09% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.19% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $402.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $370.00 to $467.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $470.00 to $493.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $401.00 to $490.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein restated an "outperform" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday. Twenty equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $461.83.

Key UnitedHealth Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth reported third-quarter adjusted EPS of $4.69, above the $4.14 consensus, while revenue of $112.7 billion also exceeded estimates. Operating earnings rose 52% to $6.6 billion, supported by improved cost controls and execution. UnitedHealth Group tops estimates, hikes profit outlook as insurer manages high medical costs
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised its 2026 adjusted earnings outlook to at least $20.50 per share, above the prior $19.50–$20.00 range and analyst expectations. Executives also indicated that Wall Street’s 2027 earnings assumptions may be too conservative, with a long-term growth target of 13% to 16%. UNH Q3 Earnings Call Highlights 2027 Growth and Margin Recovery
• Positive Sentiment: The medical care ratio improved to 88.4%, while Optum generated $66.9 billion in revenue and $3.7 billion in earnings. Investors were encouraged by progress in value-based care, pharmacy services, artificial-intelligence initiatives and administrative efficiency. UnitedHealth Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains favorable overall. Piper Sandler raised its target to $504 and maintained an “overweight” rating, while Mizuho named UnitedHealth a top healthcare pick. A major Wall Street firm also sees substantial upside based on underappreciated business-unit growth. UnitedHealth target raised with potential gains

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated NYSE: UNH is a diversified health care and well-being company serving individuals, employers, health care providers and government programs. Its operations are organized primarily through UnitedHealthcare and Optum.

UnitedHealthcare provides health benefit plans and services, including employer-sponsored coverage, individual and family plans, Medicare and Medicaid offerings, and other government-supported programs. Its services include health insurance administration, pharmacy benefits and care management.

Optum provides health care services, technology and data solutions, pharmacy services, and analytics to health plans, employers, government agencies, health care providers and consumers.

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