Leerink raises PT on UnitedHealth on improvement in Optum unit

** Leerink Partners raises PT on health insurer UnitedHealth UNH.N to $402 from $300

** Brokerage says it sees strong growth potential in the possible event that UNH's health services unit Optum's recovery improves more rapidly in 2027

** UNH earlier this month said it expects about 78% of its members to be enrolled in Medicare insurance plans with high star ratings next year; and said it plans to reaffirm its 2025 adj. profit forecast of at least $16 per share

** "With Stars risks diminished, and what we feel is a solid floor of $16 of EPS this year, and what should be a multi-year path forward for enterprise margins, we raise our out year estimates to reflect some growing optimism" - Leerink

** Brokerage raises its 2026 adj.profit forecast to $17.34 from $17.25 per share and forecasts 2027 adj.profit per share to be $23.62 from $22.34

** 19 of 28 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 6 "hold" and 3 "sell" or lower; their median PT is $331

** Up to last close, stock down 31.3% YTD