Q4 EPS Estimate for UnitedHealth Group Decreased by Analyst

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q4 2026 earnings estimates for shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note issued on Tuesday, October 27th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the healthcare conglomerate will post earnings per share of $2.24 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $2.25. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s current full-year earnings is $20.62 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for UnitedHealth Group’s Q2 2027 earnings at $6.62 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $23.29 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $26.60 EPS.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $4.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.14 by $0.55. The business had revenue of $112.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $111.31 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.59 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 20.500- EPS.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on UNH. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $370.00 to $467.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. TD Cowen restated a “hold” rating and issued a $402.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, October 15th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $502.00 to $504.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 14th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets set a $512.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Twenty equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $463.93.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

Shares of UNH stock opened at $410.72 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $389.07 and a 200 day moving average of $361.44. UnitedHealth Group has a 1-year low of $255.96 and a 1-year high of $461.62.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. General Partner Inc. acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the third quarter valued at $512,000. PBCay One RSC Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter worth about $14,343,000. Lee Johnson Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $6,180,000. Kinsale Capital Group Inc. grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 13.4% in the 2nd quarter. Kinsale Capital Group Inc. now owns 38,510 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $16,006,000 after acquiring an additional 4,557 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. increased its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 1,287.2% during the 1st quarter. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. now owns 60,022 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $16,241,000 after acquiring an additional 55,695 shares in the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at UnitedHealth Group

In related news, CEO Patrick Conway sold 1,169 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $390.00, for a total value of $455,910.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 15,328 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,977,920. This trade represents a 7.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.19% of the company’s stock.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 14th were given a $2.32 dividend. This represents a $9.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 14th.

UnitedHealth Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its UnitedHealth estimates for Q2 2027 EPS to $6.62 from $6.35, FY2027 EPS to $23.29 from $22.28, and FY2028 EPS to $26.60 from $25.74. The upward revisions suggest improving expectations for the company’s longer-term earnings power.
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley increased its price target on UnitedHealth Group (UNH) to $531 from $529 and kept an Overweight rating, implying substantial upside from the stock’s recent trading level. Morgan Stanley Adjusts Price Target on UnitedHealth Group to $531 From $529
• Neutral Sentiment: UnitedHealth and Codoxo plan to present strategies for using artificial intelligence and data beyond traditional claims analysis to identify healthcare fraud. The initiative could support payment integrity and cost-control efforts, but it is primarily a conference presentation rather than an immediate financial catalyst. Beyond Claims Data: Codoxo and UnitedHealth Group to Present Innovative Strategies for Uncovering Healthcare Fraud
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research trimmed its Q4 2026 EPS forecast slightly to $2.24 from $2.25 and retained a Hold rating. The minor cut indicates some caution around near-term results, despite the stronger estimates for later periods.
• Negative Sentiment: A law firm is soliciting UnitedHealth shareholders regarding alleged fiduciary-duty breaches by company insiders. The notice does not establish wrongdoing, but such announcements can create temporary reputational and legal overhang. Did UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Insiders Breach their Fiduciary Duties to Shareholders?

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care company that provides health insurance coverage, health care services, pharmacy services and health technology. Its businesses serve individuals, employers, government programs, health care providers and other organizations, primarily in the United States.

The company operates through two principal businesses. UnitedHealthcare offers health benefit plans and related services for employers, individuals, families and government-sponsored programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.