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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 76 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$401.00
▲(24.70% Upside)
UnitedHealth's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and strategic initiatives to manage costs and improve margins. While technical indicators suggest some resistance, the company's valuation is fair, and its earnings call provided positive guidance for future growth. Key risks include rising medical costs and membership declines, which the company is addressing through strategic reforms.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Strong revenue growth indicates effective business strategies and market expansion, supporting long-term financial stability.
Medicare STARS Improvement
Improved Medicare STARS scores enhance competitiveness, potentially leading to better reimbursement rates and member retention.
Cash Flow Generation
Robust cash flow generation supports operational flexibility and investment in growth initiatives, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Negative Factors
Medicare Advantage Membership Decline
Membership decline 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 cost management strategies.
Commercial and ACA Market Pressures
Significant rate increases in ACA markets may lead to enrollment declines, affecting revenue and market position.

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
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:Main Street Data

UnitedHealth Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 28, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 21, 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
EBITDA30.66B28.08B36.33B31.84B27.07B25.30B
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 Price321.58
Price Trends
50DMA
345.72
Negative
100DMA
316.00
Positive
200DMA
376.72
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-6.64
Positive
RSI
31.01
Neutral
STOCH
9.83
Positive
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 321.58 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 349.19, below the 50-day MA of 345.72, and below the 200-day MA of 376.72, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -6.64 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 31.01 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 9.83 is Positive, 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
$293.68B16.9218.48%2.66%10.48%24.25%
74
Outperform
$100.27B206.400.63%3.43%6.71%-90.11%
69
Neutral
$30.31B23.627.15%1.21%9.87%-5.58%
63
Neutral
$70.62B13.0012.61%1.93%11.96%-11.11%
61
Neutral
$18.46B-21.93%14.92%-286.72%
61
Neutral
$7.82B8.7319.71%13.71%-18.02%
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
321.58
-290.40
-47.45%
CNC
Centene
34.25
-26.50
-43.62%
CVS
CVS Health
77.54
24.02
44.88%
HUM
Humana
238.42
-40.11
-14.40%
MOH
Molina Healthcare
140.90
-187.69
-57.12%
ELV
Elevance Health
303.78
-113.98
-27.28%

UnitedHealth Corporate Events

UnitedHealth Group’s Q3 2025 Results and Outlook
Oct 29, 2025

UnitedHealth Group Inc. is a leading health care and well-being company, operating through its two main businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, to provide health benefits and services globally.

UnitedHealth Group’s Earnings Call Highlights Growth and Challenges
Oct 29, 2025

UnitedHealth Group’s recent earnings call painted a picture of robust revenue growth and strategic shifts, albeit amidst some notable challenges. The sentiment was largely positive, driven by significant revenue increases and strategic realignments in value-based care. However, the company is grappling with high medical cost trends, a decline in Medicare Advantage membership, and pressures in the commercial and Medicaid segments.

Financial DisclosuresM&A Transactions
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.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNH) stock is a Buy with a $379.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on UnitedHealth stock, see the UNH Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
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.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNH) stock is a Buy with a $325.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on UnitedHealth stock, see the UNH Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
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.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNH) stock is a Buy with a $399.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on UnitedHealth stock, see the UNH Stock Forecast page.

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: Oct 30, 2025