Today: 3 November 2025
Subscribe
UnitedHealth Group Stock Surges Amid Analyst Upgrades: Is Wall Street Turning Bullish on UNH in 2025?
 ·  ·  ·  · 

UnitedHealth (UNH) Premarket: Analysts Bullish on Comeback Despite 2025 Woes – What to Watch Nov. 3, 2025

by
2 November 2025
  • UNH Price: Closed Friday (Nov 1) at $341.56 (down 0.93% on day) [1], with market cap ~$309 billion [2]. 52-week range ~$234.65–630.45 [3].
  • Q3 Results: Oct 28 report – revenues $113.2 B (+12% YoY) and EPS $2.59 (GAAP; $2.92 adjusted) [4], both ahead of estimates. 2025 guidance raised to Adj. ≥$16.25 EPS [5].
  • Analyst Sentiment: Wall Street’s median 12‑month target ≈$390 [6]. 16 of 30 analysts rated UNH a “Buy”/“Overweight” (vs. 2 “Sell”) [7]. Recent price-target hikes include Bernstein $433 and KeyBanc $400 [8] [9]. Consensus sees 2026 EPS ≈$17.60 [10].
  • Stock Trends: After plunging ~30–35% YTD, UNH has rebounded ~10% off summer lows [11]. The late-May low ~$245 vs. April high ~$630 [12], meaning the stock still trades far below its 52-week peak [13]. Insider/investor confidence: CEO Stephen Hemsley has bought shares, and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire added ~5 M UNH shares in Aug [14] [15].
  • Headwinds: UNH cut full‑year 2025 EPS guide drastically in April due to surging Medicare Advantage costs [16]. It’s exiting ~100 Medicare Advantage plans (impact ~600k members) to stem losses [17] [18]. Regulatory/legal concerns linger (e.g. a federal fraud probe) [19]. Broader sector shocks – e.g. US Obamacare premiums set to more than double in 2026 [20] – add uncertainty.

UnitedHealth’s volatile 2025 has made UNH a headline story heading into Nov. 3 trading. After a surprise earnings miss in Q1 and a CEO shakeup this spring, UNH plunged to four-year lows. In late Oct. the turnaround narrative got a boost: Q3 beat estimates and management raised guidance [21] [22]. CEO Stephen Hemsley (back at the helm) told investors he’s confident “we will return to solid earnings growth next year” thanks to “operational rigor and more prudent pricing” [23]. Guggenheim and Reuters note Hemsley’s comeback has reassured investors and even prompted Buffett to buy in [24] [25].

Market analysts are increasingly upbeat. As of Nov. 1, UNH closed near $341.6 [26]. Notably, TechStock²’s Oct. 21 analysis points out UNH “remains deep in the red for 2025” (–30–35% YTD) but has recovered about +10% off its summer trough [27]. Wall Street is divided: some remain cautious on cost pressures, but many have upped price targets this fall [28] [29]. For example, Bernstein boosted its target to $433, KeyBanc to $400, and Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Barclays and others have moved targets well above the $300s [30] [31]. QuiverQuant reports 22 analysts’ 12-month targets have a median of ~$390 [32]. MarketBeat concurs that consensus upside is around +16% [33].

UnitedHealth’s fundamentals remain strong but strained by costs. Q3 revenue of $113.2 B (up 12% YoY) surpassed Street estimates [34], driven by 16% growth in its UHC insurance arm and 8% in OptumRx [35]. However, margins suffered: adjusted EPS $2.92 missed last year’s pace, reflecting an 89.9% medical care ratio in line with expectations [36]. Reuters observes that UNH’s leadership, including CFO Wayne DeVeydt, is trimming unprofitable businesses (like broad clinical services) to restore margins [37]. Oppenheimer analyst Michael Wiederhorn says the cost-surge trends “are on track” (i.e. stabilizing) after management’s cleanup effort [38]. Overall, UNH raised full-year adjusted EPS guide to ≥$16.25 [39], above Street’s ~$16.20 prior consensus [40] – a sign that management thinks the worst of 2025’s cost shock is past.

Still, risks loom. Medical cost inflation and policy changes are top concerns. UnitedHealth cut 2025 EPS guidance earlier in 2025 because Medicare Advantage members used more care than expected [41]. In Oct. it announced exiting about 100 Advantage plans (109 counties) to halt losses [42] [43]. At the same time, regulators have been scrutinizing insurers; a Justice Dept. report earlier reported significant Medicare “star rating” cuts which UNH has since challenged in court. Broader healthcare trends add volatility: a Reuters Nov. 1 story warns ACA premiums will more than double next year without subsidies [44], likely slowing enrollment. On the positive side, peers like CVS are forecasting mid-teens profit growth in 2026 [45], indicating industry-wide improvement ahead.

Outlook: With markets closed Sunday, Monday’s open may see UNH react to global cues or sector news. TechStock² notes sentiment has turned cautiously optimistic, given recent buy-side support (Buffett, Ark, others) and the stock’s bounce off multi-year lows [46] [47]. Analysts caution earnings season jitters – next catalyst is likely Q4 guidance in Jan. – but the raised guidance and management confidence have revived the bull case. As Cerity Partners strategist Jim Lebenthal put it (via Reuters), “Hemsley is highly respected,” but he warned that systemic medical overuse could still pressure insurers long-term [48].

Investors should monitor premarket indicators Monday and any overnight healthcare news. Key metrics to watch: UNH’s relative performance vs. the S&P/health indices, any Fed comments on inflation (which could affect discount rates), and updates on Medicare policy or related earnings from other insurers. Overall, UNH stock currently trades at a modest P/E ~18 [49], with a 2.6% dividend yield [50]. The balance between resumed growth (per Hemsley’s plan) and lingering sector risks will drive trading. In summary, UnitedHealth’s turnaround narrative – bolstered by strong Q3 results and analyst optimism [51] [52] – is in focus Monday. However, investors remain wary of the healthcare cost cycle and regulatory backdrop, making UNH a high-visibility story in tomorrow’s premarket session.

Sources: Latest earnings releases and SEC filings [53] [54]; Reuters & BusinessWire news [55] [56] [57]; Market data (Reuters) [58] [59]; analyst reports and commentary [60] [61] [62] [63]; industry news [64] [65] [66].

Here's why Baird analyst Michael Ha maintains a 'cautious' outperform rating on UnitedHealth
Watch this video on YouTube.

References

1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.reuters.com, 3. www.reuters.com, 4. www.gurufocus.com, 5. www.gurufocus.com, 6. www.quiverquant.com, 7. www.quiverquant.com, 8. www.quiverquant.com, 9. ts2.tech, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. ts2.tech, 12. ts2.tech, 13. ts2.tech, 14. www.reuters.com, 15. www.quiverquant.com, 16. ts2.tech, 17. ts2.tech, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. ts2.tech, 20. www.reuters.com, 21. www.gurufocus.com, 22. www.gurufocus.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.reuters.com, 27. ts2.tech, 28. ts2.tech, 29. www.quiverquant.com, 30. ts2.tech, 31. www.quiverquant.com, 32. www.quiverquant.com, 33. www.marketbeat.com, 34. www.gurufocus.com, 35. www.gurufocus.com, 36. www.gurufocus.com, 37. www.reuters.com, 38. www.reuters.com, 39. www.gurufocus.com, 40. www.reuters.com, 41. ts2.tech, 42. ts2.tech, 43. www.reuters.com, 44. www.reuters.com, 45. www.reuters.com, 46. ts2.tech, 47. www.reuters.com, 48. www.reuters.com, 49. www.marketbeat.com, 50. www.reuters.com, 51. www.reuters.com, 52. www.quiverquant.com, 53. www.gurufocus.com, 54. www.gurufocus.com, 55. www.reuters.com, 56. www.reuters.com, 57. www.reuters.com, 58. www.reuters.com, 59. www.reuters.com, 60. ts2.tech, 61. ts2.tech, 62. www.quiverquant.com, 63. www.reuters.com, 64. www.reuters.com, 65. www.reuters.com, 66. www.reuters.com

Tags:

Marcin Frąckiewicz Latest posts

CEO of TS2 Space and founder of TS2.tech. Expert in satellites, telecommunications, and emerging technologies, covering trends in space, AI, and connectivity.

  1. DroneShield’s Wild Ride: 400% Defense-Tech Surge, October Crash, and a $25 Million Deal – What’s Next?
  2. Gold Prices Skyrocket in India (Nov 3, 2025): Record Highs, Rupee Woes & What’s Next
  3. Why Iren S.p.A. Stock Is Making Headlines in November 2025 – Price Surge, Analyst Warnings & Big Plans Ahead
  4. Kenvue (KVUE) Stock Soars 20% on $48.7 B Buyout News – Q3 Earnings Beat and What’s Next

Stock Market Today

  • SQM Crosses Above Average Analyst Target as Price Tops $81.43
    November 3, 2025, 12:00 PM EST. SQM shares rose to $83.61, topping the average 12-month target of $81.43. With 7 analyst targets in the mix, the high is $107.00 and the low $50.00, yielding a standard deviation of $21.415. The move above the target prompts questions about whether the target will be raised or if valuation is stretched. Current Zacks data show a mixed but skewed-to-bullish outlook: Strong Buy at 3, Hold at 2, Sell at 1, Strong Sell at 1, and an average rating of 2.47 (1 = Strong Buy, 5 = Strong Sell). The article uses Zacks/Quandl data; notes that targets reflect a wisdom of crowds approach. Investors should assess fundamentals to decide next moves.
  • MongoDB Names Cloudflare's Chirantan Desai as New CEO; Stock Jumps 9%
    November 3, 2025, 11:56 AM EST. MDB has named Cloudflare executive Chirantan Desai as its new CEO, effective November 10, succeeding long-time head Dev Ittycheria. Ittycheria will stay on the board as an advisor while Desai steers the company's long-term strategy. The news sent MDB shares up nearly 9% in premarket trading. Desai brings cloud-scale leadership as MongoDB continues to grow its platform for enterprise customers. Ittycheria, who led the company 11 years, will retire from full-time duties but remain on the board. Investors will watch how Desai leverages MongoDB's cloud and data-management offerings to sustain growth and margins.
  • Dominion Energy Q3 2025 Earnings Preview: Growth Signals but Margin Pressure Looms
    November 3, 2025, 11:54 AM EST. Dominion Energy (D) is set to report Q3 2025 results on Oct. 31 before the bell. The stock faces a mix of tailwinds and headwinds: regulated investments and new electric rates driving demand in its Virginia and South Carolina service areas, and reliance on nuclear power for a substantial share of output. Improved contracted energy margins could lift earnings, but higher financing costs, share dilution, and a weaker nuclear PTC may offset gains. The Zacks Consensus pegs EPS at $0.93 (down ~5% YoY) on revenue of $4.19B (+6.3%). Our model does not indicate an earnings beat this cycle. Dominion has a Zacks Rank #2. Nearby peers like NiSource, Eversource, and Duke Energy are also slated to report in late October/early November with varying Earnings ESPs and growth profiles.
  • Dominion Energy Q3 Earnings: $1B Net Income, CVOW Progress, Data Center Pipeline Expands
    November 3, 2025, 11:52 AM EST. Dominion Energy reported $1 billion in net income in Q3, staying on track with its CVOW offshore wind project. The company also noted that its data center customer pipeline grew yet again, signaling solid momentum for both its renewable energy initiatives and data-center demand.
  • Strive climbs 9% after SATA IPO announcement for Variable Rate Perpetual Preferred Stock
    November 3, 2025, 11:48 AM EST. Strive (ASST) jumped 9% after unveiling its plan to issue the Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, dubbed SATA. The IPO targets 1.25 million shares, with an initial 12% annual dividend paid monthly and adjustable monthly via the one-month SOFR benchmark. Unpaid dividends compound monthly up to a 20% annual rate. A reserve will cover the first year of payments, and the shares may be redeemed at $110 plus accrued dividends. Holders can demand repurchase after a fundamental change. Proceeds will fund bitcoin purchases, income-producing assets, stock buybacks, working capital, debt repayment, and potential acquisitions. Strive holds 5,958 bitcoins and manages over $2 billion in assets through Strive Asset Management. ASST rose 9% Monday morning on the news.
Visa (V) Stock Poised for a Surge? Crypto Pilot and Travel Deals Fuel Optimism
Previous Story

Visa Stock Set to Soar? Analysts Eye $400 After Strong Earnings & Dividend Hike. Before Markets Open — Nov 3, 2025.

J&J Makes Bold Move: Orthopedics Spin-Off (“DePuy Synthes”) Announced – 2025 Forecast Raised
Next Story

Johnson & Johnson Stock Primed for Rally? Premarket Insights for Nov 3, 2025

Related Articles

Go toTop