UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Short Interest Down 28.3% in August

Key Points

• UnitedHealth Group's short interest decreased by 28.3% in August, falling to approximately 11.9 million shares, indicating a reduced bearish sentiment among investors.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share, representing an annual yield of 2.5%, with a dividend payout ratio of 38.30%.
• Despite reporting earnings of $4.08 per share for the last quarter, UnitedHealth missed the consensus estimate of $4.45, prompting various analysts to adjust their price targets and ratings for the stock.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 11,910,000 shares, a decrease of 28.3% from the August 15th total of 16,600,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 16,520,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days. Approximately 1.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately 1.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 16,520,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNH. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 176.2% in the 4th 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 holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 137.1% in the 4th 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. Two Sigma Advisers LP bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth $14,063,000. Twinbeech Capital LP bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $68,737,000. Finally, Triglav Skladi D.O.O. bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $23,129,000. Institutional investors own 87.86% of the company's stock.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $348.05 on Tuesday. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $292.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $367.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85. The stock has a market cap of $315.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.44. UnitedHealth Group has a fifty-two week low of $234.60 and a fifty-two week high of $630.73.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.45 by ($0.37). The company had revenue of $111.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $111.75 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 5.04% and a return on equity of 23.32%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $6.80 EPS. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 16.000- EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a $2.21 dividend. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.30%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on UNH. Baird R W downgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $325.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $306.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $440.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, TD Securities reiterated a "hold" rating and issued a $308.00 target price (down from $520.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $358.95.

About UnitedHealth Group

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.

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