UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) had its price target upped by stock analysts at Argus to $270.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the healthcare conglomerate’s stock. Argus’ target price suggests a potential upside of 10.95% from the company’s previous close.
Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $219.00 price target on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 21st. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $213.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Leerink Swann reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $240.00 price target (up previously from $225.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $208.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Finally, Jefferies Group increased their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $215.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-six have issued a buy rating to the stock. The stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $243.22.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) traded up $0.19 on Thursday, hitting $243.35. 4,289,381 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,050,000. UnitedHealth Group has a 12-month low of $156.49 and a 12-month high of $244.35. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $235,290.00, a P/E ratio of 22.72, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.66.
In other UnitedHealth Group news, CEO Larry C. Renfro sold 22,598 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $221.75, for a total value of $5,011,106.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 195,314 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,310,879.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Kenneth Irwin Shine sold 457 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $211.03, for a total value of $96,440.71. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 33,655 shares of company stock worth $7,469,083. Insiders own 0.89% of the company’s stock.
A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNH. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 441.4% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 13,935 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $2,578,000 after buying an additional 11,361 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 16.9% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,703,113 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $872,051,000 after buying an additional 681,111 shares in the last quarter. Schwab Charles Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Schwab Charles Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,656,975 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $678,077,000 after buying an additional 183,401 shares in the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 12.3% during the 2nd quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 8,846 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $1,640,000 after buying an additional 967 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bainco International Investors lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter. Bainco International Investors now owns 82,676 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $16,192,000 after buying an additional 4,202 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.09% of the company’s stock.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is a health and well-being company. The Company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx. It conducts its operations through two business platforms: health benefits operating under UnitedHealthcare and health services operating under Optum.
