UNH Stock Recent News

Despite a disappointing Q3 report, Elevance Health remains attractive due to its relatively favorable valuation compared to UnitedHealth Group and a total shareholder yield of roughly 3.5%. Elevance's expansion into healthcare services through Carelon and continued strength in Medicare and Medicaid markets support long-term growth, especially given the industry's demographic tailwinds. Though 2024 is a “reset” year, Elevance management's outlook for 2025 and beyond points to strong potential margin recovery and continued earnings growth.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) recently reported its Q3 results, with revenues and earnings exceeding our expectations. The company reported revenue of $100.8 billion and adjusted earnings of $7.15 per share, compared to our estimates of $99 billion and $6.95, respectively.

UnitedHealth Group's NYSE: UNH stock price pulled back following the Q3 earnings release in what can best be described as a temper tantrum. The results weren't bad, outpacing the consensus estimates and compounded by solid guidance, but the market wanted more, so it sold off.

UnitedHealth Group Inc UNH reported on Tuesday upbeat earnings for its third quarter.

UnitedHealth's Q3 earnings, released yesterday, revealed significant challenges, including rising healthcare costs and reduced rate increases, impacting profitability and leading to an 8% stock drop. Medicare Advantage headwinds and increased medical benefit ratios are squeezing margins, making the business less profitable than a year ago. The company has struggled with implementing value-based care, which was supposed to reduce costs but hasn't yet delivered the expected savings.

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?

UnitedHealth Group's stock fell 8.1% despite beating Q3 estimates due to conservative 2024 and 2025 EPS guidance. However, I rate it as a Buy. The company's long-term EPS growth target of 13-16% is achievable, supported by the company's strong track record. UNH's current valuation is attractive, trading at a P/E ratio that aligns with historical trends, suggesting potential for double-digit annual returns based on expected EPS growth.

UNH's third-quarter earnings benefit on the back of client wins in the Optum Rx sub-unit, partly offset by an elevated operating expense level.

Shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) tumbled Tuesday after the company lowered its full-year profit outlook to reflect the impact of a cyberattack against its Change Healthcare division in February.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH ) Q3 2024 Earnings Conference Call October 15, 2024 8:45 AM ET Company Participants Andrew Witty - CEO John Rex - President and CFO Tim Noel - CEO, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement Amar Desai - CEO, Optum Health Roger Connor - CEO, Optum Insight Brian Thompson - CEO, UnitedHealthcare Heather Cianfrocco - CEO, Optum Dan Kueter - CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Employer & Individual Patrick Conway - CEO OptumRx Conference Call Participants Lisa Gill - JPMorgan A.J. Rice - UBS Stephen Baxter - Wells Fargo Josh Raskin - Nephron Research Scott Fidel - Stephens Justin Lake - Wolfe Research Sarah James - Cantor Fitzgerald Lance Wilkes - Bernstein Erin Wright - Morgan Stanley Andrew Mok - Barclays Operator Good morning, and welcome to the UnitedHealth Group's Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call.