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UnitedHealth (UNH)
NYSE:UNH
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UnitedHealth (UNH) AI Stock Analysis

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UNH

UnitedHealth

(NYSE:UNH)

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Outperform 72 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
$386.00
▲(7.16% Upside)
UnitedHealth's overall stock score reflects a strong financial performance and reasonable valuation, but is tempered by technical indicators suggesting potential volatility and significant challenges highlighted in the earnings call. The company's proactive governance changes are a positive factor, but the financial pressures from increased medical costs remain a concern.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
The 13% revenue growth reflects strong performance across UnitedHealthcare and Optum, indicating robust demand and market expansion.
Cash Flow Strength
Strong cash flow growth enhances financial flexibility, supporting strategic investments and operational resilience.
Governance Improvements
Strengthened governance and risk management through leadership changes can improve oversight and strategic decision-making.
Negative Factors
Rising Medical Costs
Increased medical costs strain profitability and necessitate strategic adjustments, impacting long-term financial performance.
Medicare Margin Pressure
Higher-than-expected cost trends in Medicare can compress margins, affecting overall profitability and financial health.
Optum Health Underperformance
Underperformance at Optum Health indicates challenges in execution and market conditions, impacting segment profitability.

UnitedHealth (UNH) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

UnitedHealth Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs for preventive and acute health care services, as well as services dealing with chronic disease and other specialized issues for older individuals; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; health and dental benefits; and hospital and clinical services. The OptumHealth segment provides access to networks of care provider specialists, health management services, care delivery, consumer engagement, and financial services. This segment serves individuals directly through care delivery systems, employers, payers, and government entities. The OptumInsight segment offers software and information products, advisory consulting arrangements, and managed services outsourcing contracts to hospital systems, physicians, health plans, governments, life sciences companies, and other organizations. The OptumRx segment provides pharmacy care services and programs, including retail network contracting, home delivery, specialty and compounding pharmacy, and purchasing and clinical capabilities, as well as develops programs in the areas of step therapy, formulary management, drug adherence, and disease/drug therapy management. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated was incorporated in 1977 and is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
How the Company Makes MoneyUnitedHealth generates revenue primarily through its health insurance premiums and fees collected from members in the UnitedHealthcare segment. Key revenue streams include individual and employer-sponsored health plans, Medicare and Medicaid programs, and services provided to government entities. Additionally, the Optum segment contributes significantly to revenue through pharmacy care services, health management solutions, and technology-driven health services. Strategic partnerships with healthcare providers and organizations enhance their service offerings and access to patients, further bolstering their revenue. The company also benefits from economies of scale, which allow it to negotiate better rates with providers and lower costs for members, ultimately driving profitability.

UnitedHealth Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
People Served
People Served
Indicates the number of individuals covered or benefiting from services, reflecting market reach and customer base expansion.
Chart InsightsUnitedHealth's 'People Served' metric shows a concerning decline in both Optum Health and UnitedHealthcare segments starting in late 2024, reversing previous growth trends. This downturn coincides with operational challenges highlighted in the latest earnings call, including significant cost pressures in Medicare and Medicaid. The decline in Optum Health's performance, driven by enrollment mix and execution issues, aligns with the reported earnings shortfall. UnitedHealth's strategic focus on cost management and operational reform aims to stabilize these metrics, but near-term financial pressures remain a significant risk.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

UnitedHealth Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 29, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 28, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Negative
The earnings call highlighted revenue growth and some operational successes at OptumRx and in Medicare enrollment. However, these were overshadowed by significant challenges, including pricing missteps, substantial cost increases, and underperformance across several business lines, leading to financial pressure and necessitating strategic and operational shifts.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue Growth
UnitedHealth Group reported revenues of nearly $112 billion, a 13% increase over the prior year, reflecting growth across UnitedHealthcare and Optum.
OptumRx Performance
OptumRx reported revenue growth of $18 billion or 13%, with earnings growth of just over $200 million or nearly 4%, driven by low-margin specialty drugs.
Medicare Growth
Year-to-date Medicare Advantage growth is 650,000 people, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.
Negative Updates
Pricing and Operational Challenges
UnitedHealth Group faced a $6.5 billion increase in medical costs not anticipated in their initial 2025 outlook, with significant challenges in pricing assumptions and operational execution.
Medicare Margin Pressure
Medicare Advantage medical cost trend was initially assumed at over 5% but now expected to be approximately 7.5%, leading to financial pressure.
Behavioral Health Trends in Medicaid
Medicaid faced elevated trends, particularly in behavioral health, where the trend is running at 20%, affecting financial performance.
Optum Health Underperformance
Optum Health's earnings in 2025 are approximately $6.6 billion below expectations, primarily due to value-based care business challenges.
Settlements and Discrete Items
The company faced $1.2 billion in discrete items impacting financial performance, including unfavorable ACA exchange offerings and other settlements.
Company Guidance
During the UnitedHealth Group Second Quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided a comprehensive update on its revised financial outlook, emphasizing a strategic shift towards improved operational practices and financial performance. Key metrics in the guidance highlighted a $6.5 billion increase in medical costs for 2025 compared to initial expectations, with $3.6 billion related to Medicare and $2.3 billion to commercial business. The company also announced significant pricing and benefit adjustments for 2026, targeting a 10% trend for Medicare Advantage, and projected an operating margin range adjustment for Medicare from 3-5% to 2-4% due to legislative changes. UnitedHealth plans to exit plans covering over 600,000 members and anticipates continued pressure in Medicaid with a projected negative margin of 1-1.7% in 2026. Additionally, Optum Health is expected to see a $6.6 billion earnings shortfall for 2025, attributed to several factors including the V28 risk model transition and an unfavorable enrollment mix. The company reiterated its commitment to value-based care, projecting long-term margins of 5% for this sector, and detailed plans for operational streamlining, AI integration, and strategic investment to drive improvement and growth into 2026 and beyond.

UnitedHealth Financial Statement Overview

Summary
UnitedHealth's financial performance is robust, characterized by strong revenue growth, high profitability, and efficient cash flow management. The company maintains a balanced leverage position with a solid equity base, reducing financial risk. Despite slight fluctuations in profit margins, the overall financial health is commendable, positioning UnitedHealth well within the healthcare plans industry.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
UnitedHealth has demonstrated strong revenue growth with a 5.22% increase from 2024 to the TTM period. The gross profit margin is robust at 20.53% for TTM, indicating effective cost management. However, the net profit margin slightly decreased from 3.60% in 2024 to 5.05% in TTM, reflecting efficiency in converting revenue into profit. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are solid at 7.30% and 8.53% respectively, showcasing strong operational performance.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company's balance sheet indicates a stable financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, showcasing moderate leverage. The return on equity stands at 21.21% for TTM, reflecting high profitability relative to shareholder equity. The equity ratio is 32.56%, indicating a solid equity base and mitigated financial risk.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
UnitedHealth displays a strong cash flow position with a 22.05% increase in free cash flow from 2024 to TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.36, suggesting effective cash conversion from earnings. Additionally, the free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.19, indicating healthy cash generation relative to net earnings.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue422.82B400.28B371.62B324.16B287.60B257.14B
Gross Profit88.12B89.40B90.96B79.62B69.65B67.00B
EBITDA34.92B28.08B36.33B31.84B27.07B25.30B
Net Income21.30B14.40B22.38B20.12B17.29B15.40B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets308.57B298.28B273.72B245.71B212.21B197.29B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments32.02B29.11B29.63B27.91B23.91B19.78B
Total Debt79.19B76.90B67.44B57.62B46.00B43.47B
Total Liabilities203.79B195.69B174.80B159.36B135.73B126.75B
Stockholders Equity94.72B92.66B88.76B77.77B71.76B65.49B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow25.27B20.70B25.68B23.40B19.89B20.12B
Operating Cash Flow28.96B24.20B29.07B26.21B22.34B22.17B
Investing Cash Flow-8.29B-20.53B-15.57B-28.48B-10.37B-12.53B
Financing Cash Flow-18.39B-3.51B-11.53B4.23B-7.46B-3.59B

UnitedHealth Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price360.20
Price Trends
50DMA
306.01
Positive
100DMA
302.35
Positive
200DMA
396.60
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
11.78
Positive
RSI
71.57
Negative
STOCH
79.27
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UNH, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 360.2 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 344.71, above the 50-day MA of 306.01, and below the 200-day MA of 396.60, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 11.78 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 71.57 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 79.27 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for UNH.

UnitedHealth Risk Analysis

UnitedHealth disclosed 20 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. UnitedHealth reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

UnitedHealth Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$98.23B21.455.95%3.43%6.27%-36.28%
73
Outperform
$10.53B9.9623.93%16.12%10.99%
72
Outperform
$320.35B15.3223.14%2.39%9.98%52.31%
71
Outperform
$29.68B18.949.03%1.25%9.88%-7.25%
71
Outperform
$76.61B14.4812.48%1.93%10.21%-17.79%
70
Outperform
$18.08B9.577.50%12.96%-23.25%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UNH
UnitedHealth
360.20
-210.97
-36.94%
CNC
Centene
38.70
-32.79
-45.87%
CVS
CVS Health
77.49
15.10
24.20%
HUM
Humana
283.72
50.70
21.76%
MOH
Molina Healthcare
201.97
-123.29
-37.91%
ELV
Elevance Health
350.50
-132.69
-27.46%

UnitedHealth Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsFinancial Disclosures
UnitedHealth to Reaffirm 2025 Earnings Forecast
Neutral
Sep 8, 2025

Between September 8 and September 10, 2025, UnitedHealth Group plans to meet with investors and analysts to reaffirm its adjusted 2025 earnings per share expectations, previously disclosed in July 2025. The company will discuss the impact of its recent acquisition of Amedisys, completed in August 2025, which is expected to slightly reduce adjusted earnings per share due to associated financing and integration costs.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
UnitedHealth Announces New Board Leadership Changes
Positive
Aug 20, 2025

UnitedHealth Group has announced significant updates to its Board of Directors, including the establishment of a new Public Responsibility Committee and the appointment of F. William McNabb as the new lead independent director. These changes are part of UnitedHealth’s ongoing commitment to a culture of responsibility, integrity, and performance, with the new committee set to enhance oversight of financial, regulatory, and reputational risks, thereby strengthening governance and risk management.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
UnitedHealth Appoints Wayne DeVeydt as New CFO
Neutral
Jul 31, 2025

On July 31, 2025, UnitedHealth Group announced the appointment of Wayne S. DeVeydt as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 2, 2025. DeVeydt, with extensive experience in the health care sector, will succeed John F. Rex, who will transition to a strategic advisory role. This leadership change is part of UnitedHealth’s ongoing strategy to enhance its operational efficiency and growth, reflecting its commitment to maintaining a strong leadership team to navigate the evolving health care landscape.

Legal ProceedingsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
UnitedHealth Cooperates with DOJ on Medicare Inquiry
Neutral
Jul 24, 2025

UnitedHealth Group has initiated cooperation with the Department of Justice following media reports about investigations into its Medicare program participation. The company has begun complying with formal requests and maintains confidence in its practices, supported by independent audits and a court-appointed Special Master’s findings. To ensure transparency and stakeholder confidence, UnitedHealth has launched third-party reviews of its policies and practices, reinforcing its commitment to integrity and effective stewardship of American tax dollars.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
UnitedHealth Sells $3 Billion in Notes
Neutral
Jun 20, 2025

On June 17, 2025, UnitedHealth Group agreed to sell various notes totaling $3 billion, with maturities ranging from 2028 to 2055, as part of an underwriting agreement with several major financial institutions. The issuance of these notes, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, is expected to impact the company’s financial strategy and market positioning by potentially enhancing liquidity and funding future operations.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Sep 10, 2025