Zacks Research Has Pessimistic Outlook of UNH Q4 Earnings

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Zacks Research lowered their Q4 2027 earnings estimates for shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report issued on Tuesday, September 15th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the healthcare conglomerate will earn $4.06 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $4.07. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s current full-year earnings is $19.82 per share.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.94 by $1.44. The company had revenue of $112.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.81 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.14% and a return on equity of 16.53%. The company’s revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.08 earnings per share. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on UNH. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $470.00 to $493.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. Wall Street Zen raised UnitedHealth Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $420.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. HSBC raised their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $300.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised UnitedHealth Group from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and upped their price target for the company from $287.00 to $453.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $456.56.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $375.95 on Wednesday. UnitedHealth Group has a 1 year low of $255.96 and a 1 year high of $461.62. The company’s 50-day moving average is $406.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $369.73. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The company has a market cap of $337.46 billion, a PE ratio of 24.19, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.61.

Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UNH. PBCay One RSC Ltd bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter worth about $14,343,000. Lee Johnson Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $6,180,000. Vaughan David Investments LLC IL increased its position in UnitedHealth Group by 2.7% in the fourth quarter. Vaughan David Investments LLC IL now owns 150,773 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $49,772,000 after purchasing an additional 3,934 shares during the last quarter. Kinsale Capital Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 13.4% in the 2nd quarter. Kinsale Capital Group Inc. now owns 38,510 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $16,006,000 after buying an additional 4,557 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. increased its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1,287.2% in the 1st quarter. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. now owns 60,022 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $16,241,000 after buying an additional 55,695 shares during the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at UnitedHealth Group

In other news, CEO Patrick Conway sold 1,169 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $390.00, for a total transaction of $455,910.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 15,328 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,977,920. This represents a 7.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.19% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 14th will be paid a $2.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 14th. This represents a $9.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.72%.

Key Stories Impacting UnitedHealth Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth’s raised fiscal 2026 earnings outlook, recent revenue and EPS beats, and stable 86.7% medical loss ratio are supporting the bullish case. Analysts have reportedly increased estimates, while the company’s free-cash-flow yield and valuation may attract long-term investors. UnitedHealth: Lagging, But An Upbeat 2026 Outlook Helps Clear The Path
• Positive Sentiment: UnitedHealth’s use of artificial intelligence across its insurance operations is being highlighted as a potential long-term efficiency and growth driver, reinforcing the company’s competitive positioning. How UnitedHealth Leads the AI Revolution in the Insurance Industry
• Neutral Sentiment: UnitedHealth will report third-quarter 2026 results before the market opens on October 13. The date provides a future catalyst, but does not change current earnings expectations. UnitedHealth Group Announces Earnings Release Date
• Neutral Sentiment: UBS expects UnitedHealth’s earnings-growth outlook to remain broadly intact, although investors continue to focus on Medicare Advantage trends ahead of the next results. UnitedHealth Earnings Growth Outlook Unlikely to Change, UBS Says
• Negative Sentiment: UnitedHealth is selling an interest in underperforming WellMed clinics in Florida to TPG, citing the need for local operating expertise rather than cash. The transaction underscores cost pressures, restrictive Medicare Advantage payments, and the operational reset at Optum Health—issues that are weighing on near-term sentiment. UnitedHealth Partners with TPG to Strengthen Underperforming Florida Clinics
• Negative Sentiment: The September 14 ex-dividend date may create short-term technical pressure, though shareholders of record remain eligible for the $2.32-per-share cash dividend payable September 22. UnitedHealth Group Dividend Analysis

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is a diversified health care and well-being company headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Its operations are organized primarily through two businesses: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health benefit plans and services, and Optum, which delivers health care services, technology, pharmacy care and data-driven solutions.

UnitedHealthcare serves individuals, employers, government programs and other organizations through products that include employer-sponsored health plans, individual and family coverage, Medicare and Medicaid plans, dental and vision benefits, and related administrative services.