Q1 EPS Estimate for UnitedHealth Group Raised by Analyst

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for shares of UnitedHealth Group in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, February 10th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the healthcare conglomerate will post earnings per share of $6.77 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $5.67. The consensus estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s current full-year earnings is $29.54 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for UnitedHealth Group’s Q4 2026 earnings at $2.82 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $17.81 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $4.30 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $19.90 EPS.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.09 by $0.02. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 2.69% and a return on equity of 14.79%. The firm had revenue of $113.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $113.38 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $6.81 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. UnitedHealth Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.750- EPS.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on UNH. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $410.00 to $370.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $430.00 to $350.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $411.00 to $409.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Barclays dropped their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $391.00 to $327.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $335.00 to $338.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $372.13.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Up 2.0%

NYSE:UNH opened at $284.37 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $257.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.56, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $321.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $322.80. UnitedHealth Group has a 1 year low of $234.60 and a 1 year high of $606.36.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On UnitedHealth Group

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UNH. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 176.2% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 44,249 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $22,384,000 after acquiring an additional 28,231 shares in the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 137.1% during the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,019 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $2,033,000 after purchasing an additional 2,324 shares in the last quarter. CMT Capital Markets Trading GmbH acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $340,000. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 12.5% during the 2nd quarter. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV now owns 704 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $219,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the period. Finally, Bayforest Capital Ltd lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 390.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 270 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $84,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares during the period. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting UnitedHealth Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised several near‑ and medium‑term EPS forecasts (notably Q1 2026, FY2026 and FY2027) and lifted some quarterly estimates, signaling analysts see better-than-expected earnings cadence ahead. This helped stabilize sentiment after the post‑earnings pullback. Zacks Research estimate revisions
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage highlighting Optum expansion/long‑term platform strength frames UNH as a long‑term compounder — a bullish narrative that supports buyers on weakness. Optum expansion supports long-term thesis
• Neutral Sentiment: Mizuho cut its price target to $350 from $430 but maintained an Outperform rating — a mixed signal that keeps institutional support but narrows upside expectations. Mizuho target cut, Outperform retained
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage reiterating core risks: medical‑cost inflation, government/Medicare Advantage funding constraints, and regulatory pressure — analysts argue current multiples already price in increased volatility and a delayed Optum margin recovery (not expected until 2027). That narrative has been a major driver of recent selling pressure. Seeking Alpha: 3 Reasons Not To Buy (Revisited)
• Negative Sentiment: Forbes flags that UNH has fallen sharply over recent weeks as investor worry about flat MA rates and rising medical costs reignites — the piece questions whether the move reflects temporary overreaction or deeper issues. That market fear has pressured the stock. Forbes: Is there more downside to UNH stock?
• Negative Sentiment: News that a flatter Medicare Advantage outlook and a revenue drop could alter the investment case is keeping downside risk front‑of‑mind for traders focused on 2026 reimbursement dynamics. Yahoo Finance: Flat Medicare Advantage outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Separate commentary notes investor concerns about returns on capital — a governance/efficiency angle that can temper valuation support if not addressed. Yahoo Finance: Returns on capital concerns

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

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.