Street View: Economic uncertainties cast shadow on UnitedHealth

UnitedHealth Group UNH.N reported an "unusual and unacceptable" quarterly earnings miss, leading to a lowered full-year outlook due to higher-than-expected medical costs

At least six brokerage cut PT on the stock, their median PT is $596.64 - LSEG data

*Shares of the health insurer down 4.2% at $435.24

TREATING MARKET SYMPTOMS

J.P.Morgan ("overweight") believes co is proactively addressing ongoing challenges, and expects these difficulties to persist throughout the year

Mizuho ("outperform", PT: $650) sees co's initial medical loss ratio guidance as overly optimistic, not fully accounting for rapid growth and generous plan benefits

Oppenheimer ("outperform", PT: $600) believes co's company-specific issues, particularly affecting its OptumHealth business due to market exits by major competitors, creating short-term uncertainty until Q2 cost trends are clarified

Piper Sandler ("overweight," PT: $592) believes co's stability and integrated care delivery assets will support recovery and durable earnings growth by CY26