New York, Jan 17, 2026, 11:58 (EST) — Market closed
- UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) dropped 2.3% on Friday, finishing at $331.02 after fluctuating between $330.49 and $339.00 during the session.
- Trump’s “Great Healthcare Plan” shines a spotlight again on insurance subsidies and drug-pricing middlemen, leaving policy risk front and center on the tape.
- Bernstein stuck with its Outperform rating and set a $444 target; all eyes now turn to UnitedHealth’s earnings on Jan. 27 and its outlook for 2026.
Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated dropped 2.3% on Friday, closing at $331.02 and capping off a weaker week. Trading volume hit roughly 8.0 million shares, with the stock fluctuating between $330.49 and $339.00 during the session.
Markets in the U.S. will remain closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, delaying the next trading session. Stocks are set to resume action on Tuesday, marking a brief week ahead. (New York Stock Exchange)
Timing is crucial. UnitedHealth, a key player in managed care, also operates a major pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) business via its Optum unit, which handles drug price negotiations and rebates.
Trump’s latest healthcare plan is grabbing attention. His one-page outline suggests cutting government insurance subsidies and instead funneling money directly to consumers, Reuters reported. It also pushes for reforms on drug pricing and transparency. Cynthia Cox, KFF senior vice president, dismissed it as likely “dead on arrival” with Democrats. (Reuters)
The White House describes the plan as a reset, channeling funds “directly to you” while eliminating what it labels “giant kickbacks” to brokers and corporate middlemen. It also demands insurers release rate and coverage comparisons, plus claims data, all in “plain English,” per the White House summary. (The White House)
Friday saw a broad retreat across the sector. Humana tumbled 3.8%, Cigna slipped 2.1%, CVS Health gave up 3.4%, and Elevance dropped 1.9%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 barely budged, closing down just 0.06%. (MarketWatch)
Not everyone is turning bearish. Bernstein SocGen’s Lance Wilkes stuck with an Outperform rating and a $444 price target in a note Friday, pointing to “strong earnings growth” and naming UnitedHealth as the firm’s top pick for 2026. (Investing)
The next major event is set: UnitedHealth will report its full-year 2025 results and share 2026 guidance on Tuesday, Jan. 27, before markets open. An earnings call will follow at 8 a.m. ET. (UnitedHealth Group)
That guidance could have a bigger impact on the stock than any individual headline. Investors are focused on clues about medical-cost trends and how firmly the company can tighten pricing across its insurance portfolio.
Policy risk isn’t disappearing anytime soon. The White House’s outline lacks detail and will face a tough battle in a divided Congress. That uncertainty alone can keep insurers’ valuations on edge, even before any earnings are reported.
Trading was halted Monday, putting the spotlight on Tuesday’s open as the next key moment. Then, on Jan. 27, all eyes turn to UnitedHealth’s 2026 outlook, which will be closely scrutinized by investors.
