Swiss National Bank Raises Position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)

Swiss National Bank increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Free Report) by 0.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,731,961 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after buying an additional 2,100 shares during the period. UnitedHealth Group accounts for 1.0% of Swiss National Bank's portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Swiss National Bank owned approximately 0.30% of UnitedHealth Group worth $1,597,323,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in UNH. Tealwood Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,905,000. Asset Planning Services Inc. LA ADV grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Planning Services Inc. LA ADV now owns 12,465 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $7,288,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 13.7% in the third quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 24,976 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $14,603,000 after buying an additional 3,006 shares in the last quarter. Americana Partners LLC lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 20,377 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $11,914,000 after acquiring an additional 1,984 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 14.8% in the second quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 9,960 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $5,072,000 after purchasing an additional 1,283 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.86% of the company's stock.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

UNH stock traded down $0.92 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $592.23. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,423,919 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,119,612. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12 month low of $436.38 and a 12 month high of $630.73. The company has a 50 day moving average of $582.84 and a two-hundred day moving average of $549.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $545.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.58.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.15 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.00 by $0.15. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.63% and a return on equity of 26.37%. The business had revenue of $100.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $99.14 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $6.56 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.6 EPS for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 9th will be given a dividend of $2.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 9th. This represents a $8.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.42%. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 54.72%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $591.00 to $644.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $675.00 to $650.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. KeyCorp began coverage on UnitedHealth Group in a report on Friday, October 11th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $675.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $615.00 to $595.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $680.00 to $650.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $615.53.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company 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 health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.