UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) Trading 1.6% Higher - Here's Why

Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) traded up 1.6% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $594.81 and last traded at $592.96. 1,072,457 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 79% from the average session volume of 5,082,370 shares. The stock had previously closed at $583.59.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. HSBC raised shares of UnitedHealth Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $595.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, January 10th. Hsbc Global Res raised UnitedHealth Group from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $700.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $610.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, KeyCorp reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $650.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Twenty-one equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $632.85.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $417.20 billion, a PE ratio of 29.43, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.61. The firm's 50 day moving average is $512.95 and its 200-day moving average is $540.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 0.83.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.20 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $7.29 by ($0.09). UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.69% and a net margin of 3.60%. The company had revenue of $109.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $111.56 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $6.91 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 29.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th were paid a $2.10 dividend. This represents a $8.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 10th. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.19%.

Institutional Trading of UnitedHealth Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. increased its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 2,224 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $1,165,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP now owns 902 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $456,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. MCF Advisors LLC increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 2,578 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $1,304,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the period. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 575 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $291,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the period. Finally, Richwood Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Richwood Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,247 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $2,654,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the period. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.