Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC cut its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH – Free Report) by 40.6% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 249,920 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after selling 170,643 shares during the quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $87,354,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of UNH. North Capital Inc. lifted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 16.2% during the 3rd quarter. North Capital Inc. now owns 194 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. Sunflower Bank N.A. raised its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Sunflower Bank N.A. now owns 1,916 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $662,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Axis Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.7% during the third quarter. Axis Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,631 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $563,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Abound Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 13.5% during the third quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 244 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $84,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Cooper Financial Group boosted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 4,338 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $1,432,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
UnitedHealth Group Price Performance
Shares of NYSE:UNH opened at $277.32 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $297.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $324.39. The company 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. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a one year low of $234.60 and a one year high of $606.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79.
UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 9th were paid a dividend of $2.21 per share. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 9th. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 67.02%.
Key Headlines Impacting UnitedHealth Group
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)
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $418.00 to $340.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Oppenheimer lowered 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. Leerink Partners decreased their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $410.00 to $345.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $411.00 to $409.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $372.13.
Check Out Our Latest Report on UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group 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.
Further Reading
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