Stockchase Opinions

Charles Taersk UnitedHealth Group Inc UNH-N HOLD Oct 17, 2018

The company came out with very strong earnings – 12% growth y-o-y. Despite the run in share prices currently, he thinks there is still lots of runway. The companies touches on so many aspects of public health in the US and suggests politicians will avoid public cuts in spending going forward. He sees their growth continuing. Yield 1.3%.

$267.300

Stock price when the opinion was issued

medical services
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DON'T BUY

Medicare patient costs went through the roof. Disappointing profits, withdrew financial guidance (which scared Wall Street to death). WSJ article commented that aggressive business practices made it vulnerable to regulatory scrutiny. Medicare and Medicaid changes could mean lower revenues and higher costs. 

Won't rebound anytime soon, especially with the big beautiful tax bill. Will probably go sideways.

Unspecified

There has been concern over paying nursing homes to not send patients to hospitals. He is not sure if this true but it raises caution. There is also concern over the U.S. trying to not pay claims. The U.S. administration is going after costs in health care and profits in PDM. There is likely more bad news coming out. After three years it should probably be OK.

BUY

He bought it back and bought more today. Steady management. They made a mistake underwriting Humana. V28 is behind them. They will have a kitchen sink quarter and you can count on the guidance. It will rally.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jul 17/24, Down 45%)

It is one of the most integrated companies in U.S. health care. They thought it was very oversold so they doubled down on their position and will trend back. She is looking for 13 to 16% long term upside but doesn't consider it a buy and hold. Should be a high quality compounder.

BUY

Despite being -39% this year, she is holding on and even buying more. UNH has fixable problems, being structural changes, starting with better Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement.

COMMENT

Time will tell is they recover or not from the recent slide (shares fell by half). Their medical cost ratios have risen and we'll see if they maintain a higher level. There were fewer medical procedures during Covid, but has since increased, but also has pushed up costs for the insurers. But some issues may be temporary, including Medicare and Medicaid rates.

DON'T BUY

Really tough situation. When an insurance company falls on hard times, it's so difficult to analyze. How pervasive are the problems? Historically, quite a strong compounder. Lots of political pressure on insurance reimbursement. Steer clear for now.

COMMENT

It could be a long turnaround, though the CEO is the person who can turn it around. You need fortitude to be in this.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jul 17/24, Down 49%)

She averaged down and bought at $273 in May. Stock's been under a lot of pressure. Largest US healthcare manager, with strong vertical integration. Guidance cut, EPS outlook dropped. Under 11x forward PE despite 13-16% long-term target EPS growth. Sees ~25% upside from here.

WAIT

It has had issues and it has been a tough year facing several challenges. Owns it in the global equity fund. He is waiting for the conference call tomorrow which should talk about how the issues are being dealt with. They have pulled their guidance on EPS and the new CEO could be putting out a new guidance level. Wait for the base line to grow but there is long term upside.