Brokerages Set UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Price Target at $456.56

Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-seven ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $456.56.

UNH has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $397.00 to $485.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $468.00 to $529.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. DA Davidson set a $512.00 target price on UnitedHealth Group in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Robert W. Baird raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and lifted their target price for the company from $287.00 to $453.00 in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Finally, Erste Group Bank cut UnitedHealth Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 27th.

More UnitedHealth Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Value appeal: Zacks identifies UnitedHealth as a potentially attractive long-term value stock, supported by its scale, earnings potential and relatively reasonable valuation. The company’s current full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $19.50–$20.00 also provides an earnings framework for investors. Why UnitedHealth Group is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: Constructive analyst view: Brokerage recommendations point to a consensus “Moderate Buy,” while separate coverage highlights optimistic Wall Street sentiment. Although analyst ratings are not always reliable predictors, the consensus can help support demand for the shares. UnitedHealth Given Consensus Recommendation of Moderate Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Defensive and dividend characteristics: UnitedHealth is featured among large-cap healthcare stocks viewed as relatively attractive in a higher-rate environment because of recurring cash flows, balance-sheet scale and dividend income. Its annualized dividend is approximately $9.28 per share, with a yield above 2.4%. This Dividend Stock Is Staging a Turnaround in 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Employer cost trends are mixed: Surging projected employer healthcare costs could increase demand for individual coverage products, potentially benefiting insurers. At the same time, higher medical expenses may pressure insurers’ margins, making the effect on UNH uncertain. Employer Health Costs Surge
• Negative Sentiment: Lower Q4 EPS forecast: An analyst reduced the fourth-quarter earnings-per-share forecast, signaling near-term caution about UnitedHealth’s profitability and creating a counterweight to the broader bullish analyst consensus. Q4 EPS Forecast for UnitedHealth Decreased

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of UNH opened at $377.06 on Friday. 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 firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $403.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $371.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $338.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.26, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.61. UnitedHealth Group has a twelve month low of $255.96 and a twelve month high of $461.62.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.94 by $1.44. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 16.53% and a net margin of 3.14%.The business had revenue of $112.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.81 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.08 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.500-20.000 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group will post 19.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Patrick Conway sold 1,169 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $390.00, for a total transaction of $455,910.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 15,328 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,977,920. The trade was a 7.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.19% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UNH. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Wellington Altus USA Inc. increased its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 97.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wellington Altus USA Inc. now owns 67 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Security National Bank of SO Dak purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

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.