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UnitedHealth (UNH)
NYSE:UNH

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:
$367.00
▲(12.09% Upside)
UnitedHealth's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and a fair valuation, supported by strategic realignments and leadership changes. However, technical indicators and challenges in Medicare Advantage and Medicaid segments pose risks. The company's focus on long-term growth and operational improvements is promising, but careful management of leverage and cash flow is crucial.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Strong revenue growth indicates robust market demand and effective business strategies, enhancing long-term financial stability.
Strategic Realignment
Refocusing on value-based care strengthens Optum's market position and aligns with industry trends towards integrated healthcare solutions.
Leadership Enhancement
Scott Gottlieb's expertise in healthcare policy and regulation is expected to enhance strategic decision-making and regulatory compliance.
Negative Factors
Medicare Advantage Membership Decline
Declining membership in Medicare Advantage could reduce revenue and market share, impacting long-term growth prospects.
High Medical Cost Trends
Persistently high medical costs can pressure margins and profitability, challenging sustainable financial performance.
Medicaid Funding Issues
Insufficient Medicaid funding may lead to margin compression, affecting financial health and operational efficiency.

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

UnitedHealth Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUnitedHealth Group Incorporated is a diversified health care company based in the United States, operating through two main segments: UnitedHealthcare and Optum. UnitedHealthcare provides health care coverage and benefits services, including individual and employer-sponsored health plans, Medicare and Medicaid services, and specialty products. Optum operates as a health services division, offering pharmacy care services, data analytics, and population health management. Together, these segments aim to improve health care quality and accessibility while enhancing the overall health care experience for consumers and providers.
How the Company Makes MoneyUnitedHealth Group generates revenue primarily through its health insurance offerings and health services. The UnitedHealthcare segment earns revenue from premiums paid by individuals and employers for health plans, as well as from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Optum contributes significantly to the company's revenue through its pharmacy care services, where it manages prescription drug benefits and retail pharmacy operations, and through its health services that focus on data analytics and care management. Key revenue streams include premium revenues, service fees, and the management of pharmacy benefit plans. Additionally, strategic partnerships with employers, healthcare providers, and government agencies enhance its service offerings and revenue potential, while investments in technology and analytics help drive efficiencies and improve care outcomes.

UnitedHealth Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Type
Revenue by Type
Categorizes income by source, such as premiums, services, or products, revealing diversification and potential vulnerabilities in revenue streams.
Chart InsightsUnitedHealth's revenue from Products and Services has shown robust growth, with Products seeing a significant increase since 2023. However, the latest earnings call reveals substantial challenges, particularly in managing Medicare costs, which could impact future profitability. The company is focusing on cost management strategies, including benefit cuts and AI utilization, to address these pressures. Despite revenue growth, the financial outlook is constrained by rising medical costs, particularly in Medicare and Medicaid, highlighting the need for strategic reforms to sustain margins.
Data provided by:The Fly

UnitedHealth Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 28, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 27, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong revenue growth and strategic realignments in value-based care, but faced challenges with high medical cost trends, membership declines in Medicare Advantage, and pressures in commercial and Medicaid segments.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue Growth
UnitedHealth Group reported revenues of over $113 billion, reflecting a 12% year-over-year growth, driven by domestic membership expansion of over 780,000 lives year-to-date.
Medicare STARS Improvement
UnitedHealthcare's recent Medicare STARS scores showed improvement year-over-year, aiding in competitiveness for payment year 2028.
Optum Health Value-Based Care Progress
Optum Health is refocusing on its original value-based care model, with significant leadership changes and a commitment to a more integrated and dedicated provider network.
Capital Deployment Strategy
UnitedHealth plans to resume its historical capital deployment practices, including share buybacks and strategic acquisitions, in the second half of 2026.
Strong Cash Flow
The company reported strong cash flows of 2.3x net income for the quarter.
Negative Updates
Medicare Advantage Membership Decline
UnitedHealthcare expects a membership contraction of approximately 1 million members in total Medicare Advantage due to benefit adjustments and targeted plan exits.
High Medical Cost Trends
Medical cost trends remain historically high, with Medicare Advantage trends forecast at approximately 7.5% for 2025 and individual Medicare Advantage trends around 10% for 2026.
Optum Health Margin Challenges
Optum Health margins are expected to be under 3% at the end of 2025, with value-based care margins under 1%.
Commercial and ACA Market Pressures
Commercial pricing reflects elevated cost levels, with expected average rate increases of over 25% in ACA markets, leading to potential enrollment reductions by approximately two-thirds.
Medicaid Funding Issues
Medicaid margins are expected to decline further in 2026 due to insufficient state funding to cover elevated medical cost trends.
Company Guidance
During UnitedHealth Group's Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided detailed guidance and strategic direction for the upcoming years. UnitedHealth Group plans to drive solid operating earnings growth in 2026 through repricing efforts within UnitedHealthcare, focusing on margin improvements. The company foresees a more measured progression for Optum Health and Optum Insight, which require operational improvements and investments. UnitedHealth Group aims for a return to consistent performance by 2026, with double-digit growth anticipated from 2027 onwards. Specific metrics include a projected 7.5% full-year trend for Medicare Advantage in 2025, while individual Medicare Advantage medical cost trends are expected to be around 10% in 2026. Commercial pricing for 2026 reflects elevated cost levels observed in 2025, with an anticipated return to normal margins by 2027. The company also plans to enact targeted service area reductions in ACA markets, expecting a 2/3 reduction in enrollment, which will contribute to margin improvements below the targeted 7% to 9% range. Medicaid remains challenging, with funding levels not meeting actual cost trends, likely extending through 2026. UnitedHealth Group expects to end 2025 with a medical care ratio of 89.9% and plans to address external challenges, including Medicare cuts and Medicaid funding pressures, while focusing on long-term growth and operational rigor.

UnitedHealth Financial Statement Overview

Summary
UnitedHealth demonstrates strong financial performance with consistent revenue growth and profitability. The balance sheet is solid, though rising debt levels warrant attention. Cash flow generation remains robust despite recent declines in free cash flow growth. Overall, the company is well-positioned in the healthcare industry, but careful management of leverage and cash flow is essential for sustained success.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
UnitedHealth's income statement shows strong revenue growth with a TTM growth rate of 2.92%. The company maintains solid profitability with a gross profit margin of 19.70% and a net profit margin of 4.04%. Although there is a slight decline in gross profit margin compared to previous years, the EBIT and EBITDA margins remain stable, indicating efficient cost management.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a healthy financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, indicating moderate leverage. Return on equity is robust at 33.20%, showcasing effective use of shareholder funds. The equity ratio stands at 32.23%, suggesting a balanced capital structure. However, the increasing debt levels could pose a risk if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals a decline in free cash flow growth at -31.26% TTM, which is a concern. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio of 1.19 indicates strong cash generation relative to earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.83 suggests that the company is still generating significant cash relative to its net income.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue435.16B400.28B371.62B324.16B287.60B257.14B
Gross Profit85.73B89.40B90.96B79.62B69.65B67.00B
EBITDA30.52B28.08B36.33B31.84B27.07B25.30B
Net Income17.59B14.40B22.38B20.12B17.29B15.40B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets315.27B298.28B273.72B245.71B212.21B197.29B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments30.61B29.11B29.63B27.91B23.91B19.78B
Total Debt80.14B76.90B67.44B57.62B46.00B43.47B
Total Liabilities209.46B195.69B174.80B159.36B135.73B126.75B
Stockholders Equity95.79B92.66B88.76B77.77B71.76B65.49B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow17.37B20.70B25.68B23.40B19.89B20.12B
Operating Cash Flow20.96B24.20B29.07B26.21B22.34B22.17B
Investing Cash Flow-7.19B-20.53B-15.57B-28.48B-10.37B-12.53B
Financing Cash Flow-18.95B-3.51B-11.53B4.23B-7.46B-3.59B

UnitedHealth Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price327.42
Price Trends
50DMA
335.51
Negative
100DMA
323.48
Positive
200DMA
350.18
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.50
Negative
RSI
47.50
Neutral
STOCH
37.29
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UNH, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 327.42 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 328.57, below the 50-day MA of 335.51, and below the 200-day MA of 350.18, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of 0.50 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 47.50 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 37.29 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative 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
76
Outperform
$75.71B13.9312.61%2.01%11.96%-11.11%
72
Outperform
$296.59B17.0918.48%2.67%10.48%24.25%
71
Outperform
$8.41B10.1519.71%13.71%-18.02%
69
Neutral
$31.20B24.317.15%1.36%9.87%-5.58%
64
Neutral
$98.66B203.080.63%3.42%6.71%-90.11%
58
Neutral
$19.18B-3.61-21.93%14.92%-286.72%
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
327.42
-166.75
-33.74%
CNC
Centene
39.02
-21.23
-35.24%
CVS
CVS Health
77.72
35.39
83.61%
HUM
Humana
259.40
7.20
2.85%
MOH
Molina Healthcare
163.69
-130.81
-44.42%
ELV
Elevance Health
340.69
-23.16
-6.37%

UnitedHealth Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
UnitedHealth Appoints Scott Gottlieb as Independent Director
Positive
Nov 21, 2025

On November 18, 2025, UnitedHealth Group announced the appointment of Scott Gottlieb, M.D. as an independent director. Dr. Gottlieb, known for his tenure as FDA commissioner from 2017 to 2019, is recognized for his efforts in promoting transparency, patient safety, and medical innovation. His appointment is expected to bring valuable insights to UnitedHealth, given his extensive experience in healthcare policy and regulation.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
UnitedHealth Updates Bylaws for Delaware Compliance
Neutral
Nov 13, 2025

On November 6, 2025, UnitedHealth Group’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to the company’s bylaws to update its registered office and agent in Delaware. This administrative change is expected to streamline the company’s operations and ensure compliance with state regulations.

Business Operations and Strategy
UnitedHealth to Participate in UBS Healthcare Conference
Neutral
Nov 7, 2025

UnitedHealth Group announced that its senior leaders will participate in the UBS Global Healthcare Conference 2025 on November 10, 2025. They will discuss the company’s strategy, market positions, recent results, and expectations for its end markets, which could impact its operations and industry positioning.

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: Dec 09, 2025