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Analyst Rating · Earnings Guidance · Healthcare · Insurance
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) shares rose 2% on Tuesday after Societe Generale analyst Lance Wilkes increased his price target from $440 to $444 per share, reiterating an "Outperform" rating and naming UNH a top pick for 2026.
Wilkes projects UNH's annual revenue growth rate for 2026 will increase from 10% to 12%, anticipating a sustained recovery following a challenging year where the stock cumulatively fell 34%. The company missed quarterly earnings expectations in May 2025 for the first time in over a decade due to higher medical costs, subsequently withdrawing its full-year profit forecast.
Market attention now focuses on the January 27th release of full-year 2025 results and crucial 2026 financial guidance, with investors scrutinizing the 2026 earnings per share (EPS) forecast against the adjusted 2025 EPS of $16.25, aiming for a medical cost ratio around 80% and stable operating profit margins.
