Zacks Research Analysts Lower Earnings Estimates for UNH

Key Points

• Zacks Research slightly lowered its Q1 2027 EPS estimate for UnitedHealth to $6.66 (from $6.70) and issued updated Q2, Q3 and FY2027 forecasts, signalling a modest near‑term downward revision to earnings expectations.
• Several major firms (Leerink, Truist, Oppenheimer, Mizuho) cut price targets but most analysts still rate UNH as a Buy/Outperform, with a consensus price target of $372.13 while the stock trades near $277 and carries a P/E around 21.
• UnitedHealth recently beat quarterly revenue and EPS estimates, pays a quarterly dividend of $2.21 (≈3.2% yield), and remains highly institutionally owned (≈87.9%), including a large stake disclosed by Berkshire Hathaway.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) - Research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2027 earnings per share estimates for shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report issued on Thursday, March 19th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the healthcare conglomerate will earn $6.66 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $6.70. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group's current full-year earnings is $29.54 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for UnitedHealth Group's Q2 2027 earnings at $4.97 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $4.29 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $19.83 EPS.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.09 by $0.02. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 2.69%.The company had revenue of $113.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $113.38 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $6.81 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.750- EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Leerink Partners dropped their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $410.00 to $345.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. KeyCorp restated an "overweight" rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Truist Financial cut their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $410.00 to $370.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Oppenheimer cut their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $415.00 to $385.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Mizuho cut their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $350.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $372.13.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of UNH stock opened at $277.32 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $251.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.02, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. UnitedHealth Group has a 12 month low of $234.60 and a 12 month high of $606.36. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $297.19 and a 200 day moving average price of $324.39.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 9th were given a $2.21 dividend. This represents a $8.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 9th. UnitedHealth Group's payout ratio is currently 67.02%.

Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UNH. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,059,000. Berkshire Hathaway Inc acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter worth approximately $1,572,193,000. Carnegie Investment Counsel lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 2.2% in the third quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 105,621 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $36,471,000 after buying an additional 2,316 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 48.9% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,790 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $1,806,000 after acquiring an additional 1,901 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Phoenix Financial Ltd. lifted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 111.5% during the 3rd quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. now owns 41,986 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $14,282,000 after purchasing an additional 22,137 shares during the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

UnitedHealth Group News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: National expansion of doula benefit could boost member retention, improve maternal outcomes and support UnitedHealthcare’s value‑based care positioning — a revenue/medical‑cost leverage play if it reduces expensive complications and drives plan stickiness. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Announces National Expansion of Doula Offering
• Positive Sentiment: Recent insider activity — including a disclosed senator purchase and broader reports of insider buys and heavy call‑option interest — has attracted bullish attention and could support short‑term demand if it signals perceived undervaluation. UnitedHealth Group Stock Opinions on Senator's Recent Purchase
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street remains generally positive longer term — multiple recent buy/outperform ratings and a median six‑month price target materially above the current level provide upside if execution continues, but much of that is priced in. Analyst Ratings & Price Targets
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks trimmed a Q4 2027 EPS forecast very slightly (from $3.92 to $3.91) — a technical downward revision that is unlikely to materially change consensus but contributes to near‑term caution among quant/earnings‑sensitive traders.
• Negative Sentiment: Short‑term selling pressure: several market writeups flagged a day where UNH fell more than the broader market, reflecting profit‑taking and risk‑off flows; headlines can amplify intraday moves. UNH Sees a More Significant Dip Than Broader Market (Yahoo) Zacks Market Note MSN Market Coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and reputational risks persist — DOJ scrutiny around Medicare Advantage reimbursement and public criticism of executive pay amid claim denials keep a discount risk on the multiple and can pressure sentiment if new developments surface. Regulatory Discussion (QuiverQuant)

UnitedHealth Group Company 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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