UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Stock Price Up 1.2% Following Analyst Upgrade

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) was up 1.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday after Raymond James Financial upgraded the stock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating. Raymond James Financial now has a $330.00 price target on the stock. UnitedHealth Group traded as high as $279.04 and last traded at $277.3040. Approximately 6,372,653 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 34% from the average daily volume of 9,692,479 shares. The stock had previously closed at $273.98.

UNH has been the subject of several other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $425.00 to $389.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Evercore raised UnitedHealth Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $400.00 to $370.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $418.00 to $340.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $363.38.

Key UnitedHealth Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Raymond James upgraded UNH to Outperform (raised price target to $330), arguing management commentary points to bigger-than-expected margin improvement at Optum and upside to EPS estimates — a primary catalyst for the intraday move. Why Raymond James Says Wall Street Is Underestimating UnitedHealth’s Earnings Power
• Positive Sentiment: Market write-ups and trade notes highlighted the Raymond James view and framed UNH as a rebound candidate after a large multi-quarter pullback, driving short-term buying interest. Why UnitedHealth Stock (UNH) Is Rising Today — And What Raymond James Sees Next
• Positive Sentiment: Several analysts and outlets reiterated that UNH’s earnings surprise history and cost/margin opportunities make another beat likely, supporting medium-term upside expectations. Will UnitedHealth (UNH) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?
• Positive Sentiment: Feature pieces pitching UNH as a long-term wealth compounder and buy-the-dip narratives (including analyst calls to buy after the recent decline) are attracting retail and institutional attention. UnitedHealth Group (UNH): One of the Stocks That Can Make You Richer in 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Social and forum discussion surged after shares dipped below Berkshire’s purchase price, fueling both bargain-hunting and volatility debates — a mixed factor that can amplify moves in either direction. UnitedHealth Group Stock (UNH) Opinions on Plunge Below Buffett Purchase Price
• Negative Sentiment: Leerink flagged material RADV audit exposure as a significant headwind — a reminder that Medicare Advantage reimbursement audits and regulatory scrutiny remain a key downside risk for valuation. Leerink sees UnitedHealth stock facing largest RADV audit exposure
• Negative Sentiment: The Ninth Circuit is set to hear whether UNH’s broad preemption defense shields it from certain liabilities — a potential legal risk that could increase exposure if the court rules against the company. Ninth Circuit to Decide if UnitedHealth Keeps Its Preemption “Get-Out-of-Jail-Free” Card – GJLaw

Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UNH. Guerra Advisors Inc purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the third quarter worth approximately $1,059,000. Berkshire Hathaway Inc purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter worth $1,572,193,000. Carnegie Investment Counsel raised its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 2.2% in the third quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 105,621 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $36,471,000 after buying an additional 2,316 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 48.9% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,790 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $1,806,000 after acquiring an additional 1,901 shares during the period. Finally, Phoenix Financial Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 111.5% during the third quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. now owns 41,986 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $14,282,000 after purchasing an additional 22,137 shares during the period. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 1.2%

The firm has a market cap of $251.70 billion, a PE ratio of 21.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.40. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $286.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $320.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.09 by $0.02. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 2.69%.The company had revenue of $113.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $113.38 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $6.81 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.750- EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The business 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 9th. This represents a $8.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio is 67.02%.

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.