Street View: UnitedHealth's rebound gathers pace as optimism grows

By Reuters News

** UnitedHealth Group UNH.N raised its 2026 profit forecast on Tuesday and said Wall Street's 2027 earnings expectations underestimate its outlook, citing disciplined medical-cost spending in its insurance business and improving margins in clinical care

** Median PT of 29 brokerages covering the stock is $480 - LSEG-compiled data

VITAL SIGNS KEEP IMPROVING

** Leerink Partners ("outperform," PT: $472) says organizational changes are starting to pay off, margins are improving, and UNH is well positioned for growth in key health insurance plans, while Medicaid trends are improving despite continued pressure in the commercial business

** Morgan Stanley ("overweight," PT: $529) says UNH's stronger-than-expected results and raised outlook reinforce its recovery story, as gains in Medicare Advantage and Optum Health could lift both 2026 and 2027 earnings expectations

** Jefferies ("buy," PT: $453) says fiscal 2027 should benefit from stronger underlying performance, the easing of divestiture-related headwinds, and the absence of one-time investment costs, providing an early boost and putting margins on track to exceed co's prior target

** JP Morgan ("overweight,") says "Given UNH's diversification and scale, we remain comfortable with co's ability to grow within its +13% to +16% long-term growth range in 2027 and beyond"

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