Metis Global Partners LLC Decreases Stock Position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)

Metis Global Partners LLC lowered its position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) by 0.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 52,176 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock after selling 88 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group comprises 1.0% of Metis Global Partners LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Metis Global Partners LLC’s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $30,506,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNH. Bretton Capital Management LLC bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $5,730,000. Planning Capital Management Corp grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 53.3% during the third quarter. Planning Capital Management Corp now owns 1,899 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $1,110,000 after acquiring an additional 660 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 15,590 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $9,115,000 after purchasing an additional 443 shares in the last quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,247 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock valued at $3,068,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fortis Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 4.2% in the third quarter. Fortis Capital Management LLC now owns 8,920 shares of the healthcare conglomerate’s stock worth $5,216,000 after buying an additional 357 shares in the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Down 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE:UNH opened at $605.61 on Thursday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $436.38 and a 1 year high of $630.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $582.99 and its 200 day moving average is $548.03. The company has a market cap of $557.33 billion, a PE ratio of 39.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.58.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $7.15 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.00 by $0.15. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.37% and a net margin of 3.63%. The company had revenue of $100.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $99.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.56 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.61 EPS for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 9th will be issued a dividend of $2.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 9th. This represents a $8.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.39%. UnitedHealth Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 54.72%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on UNH shares. TD Cowen upped their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $601.00 to $609.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 18th. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $675.00 to $650.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Stephens lowered their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $632.00 to $605.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $525.00 to $630.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res cut UnitedHealth Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $615.53.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.