Health and Healthcare

What to Watch When UnitedHealth Reports Wednesday

Sergey Tinyakov / Getty Images

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) is set to report its most recent quarterly results before the markets open on Wednesday. For the first quarter, analysts are calling for $3.63 in earnings per share (EPS) and $64.33 billion in revenue. In the same period of last year, the managed health care giant said it had $3.73 in EPS and $60.31 billion in revenue.

During the latest quarter, total revenues grew $2.5 billion, or 4.1%, year over year, reflecting balanced, broad-based revenue growth across the businesses.

At that time, UnitedHealthcare revenues increased 4.2% year over year to $48.2 billion. Third-quarter 2019 earnings from operations at UnitedHealthcare grew by 16.7%, driven by revenue growth and strong cost disciplines.

Also, Optum revenues grew by 8.0% year over year to $29.8 billion, and earnings from operations advanced 11.1%.

Here’s what analysts are saying ahead of the report:

  • SunTrust Banks has a Buy rating with a $340 price target.
  • Barclays has a Buy rating with a $322 price target.
  • Morgan Stanley has an Overweight rating with a $281 price target.
  • Deutsche Bank has a Buy rating with a $308 price target.

Excluding Tuesday’s move, UnitedHealth had outperformed the broad markets with a pullback of about 10% year to date. In the past 52 weeks, the stock was actually up 12% year to date.

UnitedHealth stock traded up about 3% on Tuesday, at $272.00 in a 52-week range of $187.72 to $306.71. The consensus price target is $318.88.

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.