New York, January 23, 2026, 18:09 EST — After-hours
- After-hours on Friday, UnitedHealth shares rose roughly 0.5%
- Investors zeroed in on the insurer’s move to rebate profits from its Obamacare plans as new congressional scrutiny emerged
- UnitedHealth’s earnings report on Jan. 27 and its guidance for 2026 will be the next major focus
Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated edged up roughly 0.5% in after-hours trading Friday, closing at $356.26, holding steady after a solid day on the market.
UnitedHealth’s stock has been jittery this week following CEO Stephen Hemsley’s announcement that the insurer plans to rebate profits from its Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, also known as Obamacare. In his prepared testimony, Hemsley stated, “We will voluntarily eliminate and rebate our profits this year for ACA coverages,” as lawmakers wrestle with whether to restore premium tax credits — the government subsidies that reduce monthly premiums — which have since expired. 1
Just one day later, lawmakers summoned executives again to Capitol Hill, grilling insurers on the rising costs and consolidation within the healthcare supply chain. UnitedHealth, CVS Health, Cigna, and Elevance all faced tough questions. Hemsley pushed back, saying, “The cost of healthcare insurance fundamentally reflects the cost of healthcare itself,” challenging the panel’s blaming the industry for price hikes. 2
Wall Street saw the rebate pledge less as an immediate cash play and more as strategic positioning. Baird analyst Michael Ha described it as a “potentially masterful move,” suggesting it might increase pressure for wider profit-rebate regulations in the exchange market. 3
UNH closed Friday’s session up 0.52%, following a 1.93% jump on Thursday, per Investing.com data. 4
Traders remain in the dark on key details: how exactly the rebates will be calculated, the timing for members to receive funds, and if regulators will attempt to make this voluntary step a standard practice.
UnitedHealth stands as the largest U.S. health insurer, operating its main coverage unit via UnitedHealthcare and managing its services division through Optum, which covers pharmacy benefits, care delivery, and data.
Yet political focus can shift fast. A broader crackdown on insurer behavior or a surprise in medical-cost trends might still shake the stock. The company hasn’t provided specific figures on the rebate plan either.
Tuesday brings the next major trigger, as UnitedHealth plans to release its full-year 2025 results and lay out guidance for 2026 ahead of the opening bell. A conference call is set for 8:00 a.m. ET. 5
