Wright Investors Service Inc. Acquires 1,788 Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Wright Investors Service Inc. grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) by 14.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,508 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,788 shares during the period. UnitedHealth Group comprises approximately 1.5% of Wright Investors Service Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Wright Investors Service Inc.’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $5,010,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter worth $25,000. Sagard Holdings Management Inc. acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Islay Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 69.4% in the second quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 105 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Finally, Kilter Group LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.86% of the company’s stock.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth’s six‑month Medicare Advantage pilot that speeds payments by roughly 50% (cutting cycles to under 15 days) is aimed at easing cash‑flow strain for rural hospitals — a move that can strengthen provider relationships, reduce political/regulatory friction, and stabilize network access for MA members. Does UnitedHealth’s MA Pilot Signal a New Rural Support Model?
• Positive Sentiment: Insider/insider-adjacent purchasing activity reported may be interpreted as a sign of confidence from connected stakeholders, which can be supportive for sentiment. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Stock Acquired Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.
• Neutral Sentiment: Market coverage and short‑term flows show UNH is drawing attention: a Zacks note highlighted that the stock recently closed higher on the trading day, signaling modest positive momentum but not a structural change. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Surpasses Market Returns: Some Facts Worth Knowing
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street analyst coverage remains active — several pieces summarize optimistic analyst views and fresh ratings commentary, which can support trading interest but do not eliminate operational headwinds. Is UnitedHealth (UNH) a Buy as Wall Street Analysts Look Optimistic?
• Neutral Sentiment: Options‑market flow analysis indicates active positioning around UNH, useful for gauging short‑term sentiment and volatility expectations but not a directional fundamental signal on its own. UnitedHealth Group Options Trading: A Deep Dive into Market Sentiment
• Negative Sentiment: Macro and cost dynamics remain a key risk: analysis flags that sharply higher healthcare costs last year compressed margins and depressed profits — a structural challenge that could keep earnings growth muted until pricing and utilization normalize. UnitedHealth at an Inflection Point: Margin Recovery or Prolonged Challenges?
• Negative Sentiment: Several commentary pieces reiterate that UNH underperformed peers last year and faces execution/headwind risks in 2026; that narrative is keeping valuation under pressure despite solid operating profitability metrics. UnitedHealth just got a checkup, and UNH stock has some big problems to treat in 2026

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of UNH opened at $338.73 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $306.84 billion, a PE ratio of 17.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.42. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52-week low of $234.60 and a 52-week high of $606.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.82. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $330.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $321.98.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.87 by $0.05. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 19.23%. The company had revenue of $113.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $113.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $7.15 EPS. UnitedHealth Group’s quarterly revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 EPS for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Monday, December 8th were given a $2.21 dividend. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 8th. UnitedHealth Group’s payout ratio is presently 46.14%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNH has been the subject of several analyst reports. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $430.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Leerink Partners set a $410.00 target price on UnitedHealth Group and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Barclays increased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $386.00 to $391.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Bank of America upped their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $350.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $267.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $385.75.

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.