UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) had its target price lifted by equities research analysts at Citigroup from $235.00 to $268.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday. The brokerage currently has a “buy” rating on the healthcare conglomerate’s stock. Citigroup’s target price suggests a potential upside of 14.16% from the stock’s current price.
UNH has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $269.00 price target on the stock. Zacks Investment Research lowered shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 26th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $215.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. ValuEngine lowered shares of UnitedHealth Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $230.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-five have given a buy rating to the company. The company has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $233.98.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) traded up $1.86 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $234.76. 1,930,000 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,930,000. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The company has a market cap of $226,980.00, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.92, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.66. UnitedHealth Group has a twelve month low of $156.09 and a twelve month high of $236.92.
In other UnitedHealth Group news, Director Gail R. Wilensky sold 5,600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.31, for a total transaction of $1,250,536.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 61,137 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $13,652,503.47. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Larry C. Renfro sold 22,598 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $221.75, for a total transaction of $5,011,106.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 195,314 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $43,310,879.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 34,630 shares of company stock valued at $7,669,416 in the last three months. 0.89% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 441.4% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 13,935 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $2,578,000 after purchasing an additional 11,361 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in 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 acquiring an additional 681,111 shares during the period. Schwab Charles Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in 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 acquiring an additional 183,401 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in 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 acquiring an additional 967 shares during the period. Finally, Bainco International Investors lifted its position in 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 acquiring an additional 4,202 shares during the period. 86.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
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.
