New York, February 3, 2026, 12:21 EST — Regular session
- Shares of UnitedHealth slipped roughly 1.2%, trading at $282.20 by midday
- Truist dropped its price target to $370; JPMorgan trimmed its target to $389
- Medicare Advantage payment shifts and rising medical costs continue to weigh on the outlook
Shares of UnitedHealth Group dropped roughly 1.2% to $282.20 by midday Tuesday, marking another choppy session for the managed-care giant.
The pullback is crucial as investors wrestle with defining a “reset” for profits in 2026, focusing on Medicare Advantage — the private alternative to traditional Medicare. Medical costs remain stubbornly high, and the upcoming government payment cycle is challenging key assumptions.
Truist’s David MacDonald dropped his price target on UnitedHealth to $370 from $410 on Monday but stuck with a Buy rating, TheFly reported. JPMorgan followed suit, cutting its target to $389 from $425 while keeping an Overweight rating, according to the same source. (TipRanks)
UnitedHealth reported full-year 2025 revenue of $447.6 billion last week and projected 2026 revenue above $439.0 billion, with adjusted earnings expected to top $17.75 per share. CEO Stephen Hemsley described the company as “a much stronger company” at the end of 2025, following a challenging stretch. (UnitedHealth Group)
Shares have struggled to find support since the selloff triggered by earnings. Reuters noted the stock dropped as much as 19% after the company warned of falling revenue and investors digested a nearly flat Medicare Advantage payment update for 2027. Other players like Humana and CVS Health also slid that day. “The Medicare proposal starts to bring in worries about 2027 earnings growth,” James Harlow, senior VP at Novare Capital Management, told Reuters. (Reuters)
UnitedHealth’s immediate focus is straightforward. Traders are closely watching if utilization eases and whether pricing gains in government and commercial segments hold without shedding members.
Investors keep zeroing in on the medical care ratio — the portion of premiums used for medical claims. When that ratio climbs, it usually signals rising cost pressure. The market reacts swiftly to any hint that insurers might be under-reserved or lagging behind expectations.
UnitedHealth operates its insurance segment through UnitedHealthcare, while its services division is managed by Optum. This blend offers more tools than a traditional insurer, but it also raises the potential for execution hiccups across several fronts — from provider expenses and pharmacy trends to the pace of restructuring efforts.
The downside risk is clear. Should medical usage remain high, or if policy shifts cut Medicare Advantage payments more sharply than investors anticipate, profit estimates could slide further—even if revenue remains huge.
Washington holds the upcoming major catalysts. CMS is accepting comments on its 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D proposals until Feb. 25, 2026, with the final rate announcement set for no later than April 6, 2026. These dates will heavily influence 2027 earnings forecasts throughout the sector. (Cms)
