
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Stock Forecast & Price Target
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Analyst Ratings
Bulls say
UnitedHealth Group's stock outlook remains positive due to expected improvements in Value-Based Care (VBC) margins, projected to increase from approximately 1% to 5% over time, bolstered by a significant share of Year 1-2 patients in the Optum franchise. The company's anticipated earnings per share (EPS) growth, described as "strengthening quickly" for 2027, aligns with expectations of favorable outcomes from upcoming CMS Star ratings, potentially enhancing overall performance. Furthermore, UnitedHealth's strong balance sheet and considerable free cash flow position the company for effective capital deployment, which is expected to reinforce its robust core financial trends.
Bears say
UnitedHealth Group faces significant challenges, particularly with expected regression in Medicaid margins and conservative outlooks around Medicare Advantage (MA) cost assumptions, leading to a downward revision of 2026 earnings per share by 20%. The company's commercial margins are currently operating between 6-7%, falling approximately 100 basis points below their long-term target of 7-9%, with further shortfalls anticipated in 2025 due to changes in Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) regulations. Additionally, Optum Health is struggling, reporting margins at 3%, well below the adjusted target range of 6-8%, highlighting ongoing operational pressures that may hinder performance across its healthcare services divisions.
This aggregate rating is based on analysts' research of UnitedHealth Group and is not a guaranteed prediction by Public.com or investment advice.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Analyst Forecast & Price Prediction
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