NYSE:UNH

UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH)

428.79
+11.15 (2.67%)
as of Jul 28, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
288 watching
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Investor Insights
star iconJul 26, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 41 opinions in the last 12 months.

UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH) has faced significant challenges in the past year, including leadership changes, regulatory scrutiny, and headwinds from rising medical costs. Despite these issues, some analysts are optimistic about the long-term prospects, citing the company's strong position in the healthcare industry and the potential for recovery as costs are managed more effectively. There is a consensus that the return of a previous CEO could lead to better operational control, yet concerns about the future remain, particularly related to earnings projections and potential regulatory changes. While there are opinions on both sides regarding its current valuation, the stock has been seen as either undervalued or merely a defensive play amid turbulent market conditions.

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Consensus
Mixed
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Valuation
Fair Value
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HOLD

Behemoth. Long-term demographics makes this a name you want to hold. Shares trending flat for the last couple of years. 200-day MA is sideways at this point, and shares are slightly below that point. Yield is 1.5%, nothing fantastic, but likes it long term.

Earnings should continue to grow, about 12% growth right now. Not a lot of strong competitors in the space. In healthcare, money has gone into the growthier names like LLY and NVO.

DON'T BUY

They should have reported that computer hack sooner, but they boast a great balance sheet. That said, he doesn't like the health insurance industry now.

WATCH

They report this week. Listen for what they say about their cyber hack and the recent Medicare announcement (will this overhang endure?).

WATCH

It reports next week. Is hitting a 52-week low today. He bought it higher, at $470, last month. Don't buy ahead of earnings. They're taking punch after punch. He's close to being stopped out of his position. He will watch for guidance. If it's a sell-the-news event, he might sell.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jun 23/23, Down 6%)

Massive compounder of 13-16% over decades. Endemic pressures on medical loss ratio. Under DOJ scrutiny on market concentration. Looking for 11% growth. Weakness provides good entry point, massive demographic tailwinds.

SELL
A bit underwater, sell?

From a thematic standpoint, his firm is about a 1/3 weight in healthcare, so pretty underweight. Across the group, there are a few specific pharma companies, like LLY, that are really knocking the cover off the vault. And a bunch not doing so well.

Biotech and medical devices have been sort of sloppy. Now there's trouble with some of the managed-care companies. In general, even though the XLV price is moving higher, relative strength vs. the rest of the market has been hitting YTD lows. Underperforming sector. Better places to focus right now.

BUY ON WEAKNESS
One of the five worst performers in Q1

Down 6% in Q1, hurt by higher medical costs (like Humana) as the biggest health insurer in the US. Then after the bell today, the government limited increases in the health insurers' policies. The February data in health hack didn't help. But UNH has a good chance of a bounce back in the next two days.

BUY

You should look beyond tech which is pulling back now. Healthcare offers earnings growth ahead, like device companies. UNH has lagged this year due to utilization rates as medical expenses go higher. 

WEAK BUY
UNH vs. ELV

Great company. He owns ELV, trades at 4-5 multiple points lower, fundamentals are equally good.

Whole group has stalled a bit over medical cost ratios and medical costs in general. Government is repricing programs, and it's affecting margins. Companies will fight through it, trading inexpensively, very solid growth metrics. Not afraid to buy any of them, and his choice is ELV.

DON'T BUY

Won't touch this group, including Humana, which is in a massive reset.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Apr 14/23, Up 3%)

The stock has been flat, but at current share prices he's been adding. UNH is the giant of US healthcare. Now is a great entry point. Trades at 18x PE. Can deliver 8-10% topline growth and around 8-9% bottom line. They have a great track record. They participate in Medicare Advantage with a 20% market share.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Owns shares in company. Usually weakness in shares before US election with worries of healthcare changes. Would recommend holding. 

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Curated by Allan Tong since 2019.
99+ opinions with 4.15 rating.

TOP PICK

American healthcare

As noted, 2023 was unkind to healthcare stocks, but UNH shed only 1%, thanks to a rebound in Q4. UNH remains America's biggest health insurer. It beat its last four quarters, trades at a safe 0.62 beta as well as a 22.85x PE, which is historically in-line. Earlier in 2023, the stock took a hit when the company noted that post-Covid the U.S. was seeing a rebound in elective surgeries, which would increase medical costs and cut into UNH's margins. However, this is a passing concern. View UNH in the long-term. Its shares have climbed 144% in five years and the projectory has been largely up, though the last two years have been bumpy. As we exit post-Covid, Wall Street expect UNH to resume its climb. Analysts signal 20 buys, one overweight, five holds and one sell with a price target of $594.61, nearly 13% higher than its last close of $526.47. Go long on UNH.

BUY

The health sector is poised to rally after a rough year. UNH is a good company though he prefers Humana.

BUY

His largest position. A quality, defensive names that benefits from employment growth. Also, what will the weight-loss drug do for them? Smart managers. A permanent compounder.

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