Q4 EPS Estimate for UnitedHealth Group Decreased by Analyst

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research cut their Q4 2027 EPS estimates for UnitedHealth Group in a report released on Thursday, March 19th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the healthcare conglomerate will post earnings of $3.91 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $3.92. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s current full-year earnings is $29.54 per share.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.09 by $0.02. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 2.69%.The business had revenue of $113.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $113.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $6.81 EPS. UnitedHealth Group’s revenue was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.750- EPS.

UNH has been the topic of several other research reports. Evercore upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $411.00 to $409.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $372.13.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of UNH stock opened at $277.32 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $297.19 and its 200-day moving average is $324.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79. UnitedHealth Group has a 52 week low of $234.60 and a 52 week high of $606.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $251.72 billion, a PE ratio of 21.02, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.41.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sarver Vrooman Wealth Advisors bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 220.0% in the 4th quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 80 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Joseph Group Capital Management acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC acquired a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.86% of the company’s stock.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

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 $2.21 dividend. 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%.

Key UnitedHealth Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: National expansion of doula benefit could boost member retention, improve maternal outcomes and support UnitedHealthcare’s value‑based care positioning — a revenue/medical‑cost leverage play if it reduces expensive complications and drives plan stickiness. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Announces National Expansion of Doula Offering
• Positive Sentiment: Recent insider activity — including a disclosed senator purchase and broader reports of insider buys and heavy call‑option interest — has attracted bullish attention and could support short‑term demand if it signals perceived undervaluation. UnitedHealth Group Stock Opinions on Senator’s Recent Purchase
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street remains generally positive longer term — multiple recent buy/outperform ratings and a median six‑month price target materially above the current level provide upside if execution continues, but much of that is priced in. Analyst Ratings & Price Targets
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks trimmed a Q4 2027 EPS forecast very slightly (from $3.92 to $3.91) — a technical downward revision that is unlikely to materially change consensus but contributes to near‑term caution among quant/earnings‑sensitive traders.
• Negative Sentiment: Short‑term selling pressure: several market writeups flagged a day where UNH fell more than the broader market, reflecting profit‑taking and risk‑off flows; headlines can amplify intraday moves. UNH Sees a More Significant Dip Than Broader Market (Yahoo) Zacks Market Note MSN Market Coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and reputational risks persist — DOJ scrutiny around Medicare Advantage reimbursement and public criticism of executive pay amid claim denials keep a discount risk on the multiple and can pressure sentiment if new developments surface. Regulatory Discussion (QuiverQuant)

About UnitedHealth Group

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.