FY2027 EPS Forecast for UnitedHealth Group Raised by Analyst

Key Points

• Erste Group Bank raised its FY2027 EPS estimate for UnitedHealth Group to $20.75 from $20.70 and kept a Buy rating on the stock.
• The new estimate remains well above the consensus EPS forecast of $18.32, suggesting analysts see stronger long-term earnings potential than the broader market.
• UnitedHealth also continues to draw bullish sentiment from Wall Street, with a Moderate Buy consensus and an average price target of $407.17, while the stock recently traded near its 52-week high.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Erste Group Bank increased their FY2027 EPS estimates for UnitedHealth Group in a report issued on Friday, June 5th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now forecasts that the healthcare conglomerate will earn $20.75 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $20.70. Erste Group Bank has a "Buy" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group's current full-year earnings is $18.32 per share.

UNH has been the subject of a number of other reports. Weiss Ratings raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "sell (d+)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target 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. Leerink Partners increased their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $345.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $340.00 to $373.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 20th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $444.00 to $492.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have given a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $407.17.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

NYSE UNH opened at $407.80 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $356.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $325.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $370.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.64. UnitedHealth Group has a 52-week low of $234.60 and a 52-week high of $415.98.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $6.76 by $0.47. The business had revenue of $111.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.84 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 2.68% and a return on equity of 14.65%. The firm's revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $7.20 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 18.250- EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 176.2% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 44,249 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $22,384,000 after acquiring an additional 28,231 shares during the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 137.1% in the fourth quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,019 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $2,033,000 after acquiring an additional 2,324 shares during the last quarter. CMT Capital Markets Trading GmbH acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $340,000. Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $356,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $377,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.86% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Patrick Hugh Conway sold 800 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total transaction of $284,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 17,805 shares in the company, valued at $6,320,775. This trade represents a 4.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be issued a dividend of $2.32 per share. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. This is a boost from UnitedHealth Group's previous quarterly dividend of $2.21. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio is 66.77%.

Key Stories Impacting UnitedHealth Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Mizuho raised its price target on UnitedHealth Group to $460 from $440 and reiterated an Outperform rating, citing an improving managed care outlook. Mizuho Boosts UnitedHealth (UNH) Target as Managed Care Outlook Improves
• Positive Sentiment: Brokerage sentiment remains favorable, with UnitedHealth Group carrying a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated NYSE: UNH Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages
• Positive Sentiment: Investors are rotating toward healthcare as a defensive sector while tech stocks weaken, which has lifted interest in UNH and other large-cap health insurers. As Tech Stocks Slide, The Healthcare Sector Shines. Why Some Experts Say They Like This Defensive Play
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks highlighted UNH as a top-ranked momentum stock, reinforcing the bullish technical setup, but this was more of a screening note than a company-specific catalyst. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is a Top-Ranked Momentum Stock: Should You Buy?
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles pointed to UNH hitting or approaching 52-week highs, indicating strong recent momentum, though that can also lead to short-term pullbacks as traders lock in gains. UnitedHealth, Applied Materials, Citigroup Stocks Surged To 52-Week Highs Today: What Drove The Uptick?
• Negative Sentiment: After the recent rally, UNH has seen some consolidation and a modest pullback as investors digest gains, which is likely contributing to the stock’s softer tone today. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Stock Moves -1.28%: What You Should Know

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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