UnitedHealth Group Incorporated · UNH · FY2026 Q2 · Calendar Q3 2026

UNH Q2 2026: EPS Beat, Guidance Raised as AI and Cost Trends Improve

UnitedHealth Group delivered a decisive Q2 2026 beat, with adjusted EPS of $6.38 exceeding consensus by 29%, alongside a $112B revenue print and a 55% rise in operating earnings. The company raised full-year EPS guidance to $19.50-$20, reflecting improving Medicare Advantage cost trends and accelerating AI-driven operational efficiencies. Commercial cost trends remain elevated above 11% and Medicaid margins stay constrained, but management's confident tone, expanded capital return ($5B buybacks, dividend hike to $9.28), and the closed Alegeus combination signal conviction in the forward trajectory.

Reported Before market openNYSEHealthcare $379.28B market cap
100quality score

Company context

Snapshot as of publication

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) operates as a comprehensive healthcare enterprise across the United States, structuring its diverse services into four key divisions: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment provides a wide array of health benefit plans and consumer-focused services. These offerings cater to a broad spectrum of clients, including large national corporations, public sector employers, mid-sized and small businesses, and individual consumers. It also delivers specialized health coverage and wellness programs tailored for individuals aged 50 and older, addressing their needs for preventive and acute care, chronic disease management, and other age-specific health issues. This division further encompasses Medicaid plans, children's health insurance, dental benefits, and various hospital and clinical services. Optum Health focuses on delivering direct healthcare solutions and management services.…

Earnings scorecard

Reported versus consensus
Reported EPS $6.38 Consensus $5
EPS surprise +29.1% Reported versus consensus
Reported revenue $112.03B Consensus $110.81B
Revenue surprise +1.1% Reported versus consensus

Earnings History

Estimate Beat Miss Match
UNH EPS earnings history estimate and actual scatter chart 9 reported fiscal quarters and 4 future estimate-only quarters. Q1 '24 estimate $6.61 Q1 '24 actual $6.91, beat Q2 '24 estimate $6.65 Q2 '24 actual $6.80, beat Q3 '24 estimate $7.01 Q3 '24 actual $7.15, beat Q2 '25 estimate $4.45 Q2 '25 actual $4.08, miss Q3 '25 estimate $2.80 Q3 '25 actual $2.92, beat Q4 '25 estimate $2.10 Q4 '25 actual $2.11, match Q1 '26 estimate $6.46 Q1 '26 actual $7.23, beat Q2 '26 estimate $4.94 Q2 '26 actual $6.38, beat Q3 '26 estimate $4.09 Q4 '26 estimate $2.17 Q1 '27 estimate $8.18 Q2 '27 estimate $6.82
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Analyst Consensus ?

ConsensusBuy52 ratings
Bullish4382.7%
Neutral713.5%
Bearish23.8%

Analyst 52W Price Targets

$397.62Current
$198Low
$489.47Average
$650High

Latest persisted target per named analyst; persisted current price from FN2's market snapshot as of Aug 25, 2026. Not an FN2 forecast.

Firm-level rating actions

FMP grade actions identify the grading firm, not a named analyst.

FirmRatingPrior ratingActionDate
Mizuho Outperform OutperformMaintainJul 21, 2026
JP Morgan Overweight OverweightMaintainJul 21, 2026
Barclays Overweight OverweightMaintainJul 20, 2026
UBS Buy BuyMaintainJul 17, 2026
Truist Securities Buy BuyMaintainJul 17, 2026
RBC Capital Outperform OutperformMaintainJul 17, 2026
Oppenheimer Outperform OutperformMaintainJul 17, 2026
Morgan Stanley Overweight OverweightMaintainJul 17, 2026
Keybanc Overweight OverweightMaintainJul 17, 2026
Baird Neutral UnderperformUpgradeJul 16, 2026
TD Cowen Hold HoldMaintainJul 14, 2026
Wells Fargo Overweight OverweightMaintainJul 13, 2026
HSBC Hold HoldMaintainJul 6, 2026
B of A Securities Buy BuyMaintainJun 24, 2026
Leerink Partners Outperform OutperformMaintainJun 17, 2026
Bernstein Outperform OutperformMaintainMay 27, 2026
Argus Research Buy HoldUpgradeApr 22, 2026
Jefferies Buy BuyMaintainApr 20, 2026
Raymond James Outperform Market PerformUpgradeApr 1, 2026
Piper Sandler Overweight OverweightMaintainOct 29, 2025
Cantor Fitzgerald Overweight OverweightMaintainAug 26, 2025
Wolfe Research Outperform OutperformMaintainMay 20, 2025
TD Securities Hold BuyDowngradeMay 19, 2025
Deutsche Bank Buy BuyMaintainMay 14, 2025
Stephens & Co. Overweight OverweightMaintainDec 5, 2024
Erste Group Hold BuyDowngradeMar 13, 2024
SVB Securities Outperform OutperformMaintainJun 14, 2023
Loop Capital Buy BuyMaintainApr 17, 2023
SVB Leerink Outperform OutperformMaintainJan 17, 2023
Credit Suisse Outperform OutperformMaintainDec 7, 2022
BMO Capital Market Perform Market PerformMaintainJul 20, 2022
Goldman Sachs Buy BuyMaintainDec 14, 2021
Citigroup Buy BuyMaintainJul 16, 2021
Seaport Global Buy BuyMaintainJul 9, 2021
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Buy BuyMaintainMay 21, 2020
Argus Buy BuyMaintainDec 17, 2018
Bank of America Buy BuyMaintainOct 17, 2018
Cowen & Co. Outperform OutperformMaintainSep 17, 2018
PiperJaffray Overweight OverweightMaintainJan 4, 2017
Evercore ISI Group Buy BuyMaintainSep 23, 2016
Cleveland Research Buy BuyMaintainApr 8, 2016
Sterne Agee CRT Buy NeutralUpgradeJun 26, 2015
Sterne Agee Buy NeutralUpgradeJun 26, 2015
Leerink Swann Outperform OutperformMaintainMar 31, 2015
Stifel Nicolaus Buy BuyMaintainDec 3, 2014
Stifel Buy BuyMaintainDec 2, 2014
FBR Capital Outperform OutperformMaintainJul 18, 2014
Monness, Crespi, Hardt Sell NeutralDowngradeJan 21, 2014
Monness Crespi Hardt Sell NeutralDowngradeJan 21, 2014
Standpoint Research Hold BuyDowngradeJun 17, 2013
Bank oferica Buy BuyMaintainApr 20, 2012
Wedbush Outperform OutperformMaintainApr 9, 2012
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Named analyst price targets

Upside is calculated against the persisted current price $397.62. FMP does not supply a rating on these named-analyst rows.

FirmAnalyst52W targetPrice when postedUpsideDate
D.A. DavidsonAnalyst unavailable$512$430.92 +28.8%Jul 21, 2026
Mizuho SecuritiesAnn Hynes$493$421.55 +24.0%Jul 20, 2026
Wells FargoStephen Baxter$526$426.09 +32.3%Jul 20, 2026
BarclaysAnalyst unavailable$441$426.09 +10.9%Jul 20, 2026
Truist FinancialDavid MacDonald$500$429.39 +25.7%Jul 17, 2026
UBSAnalyst unavailable$490$423.38 +23.2%Jul 17, 2026
Morgan StanleyAnalyst unavailable$529$423.38 +33.0%Jul 17, 2026
KeyBancMatthew Gillmor$500$423.38 +25.7%Jul 17, 2026
Robert W. BairdMichael Ha$453$429.43 +13.9%Jul 16, 2026
Piper SandlerJessica Tassan$477$446.72 +20.0%Jul 16, 2026
Piper SandlerAnalyst unavailable$475$419.23 +19.5%Jul 15, 2026
Truist FinancialAnalyst unavailable$480$429.09 +20.7%Jul 14, 2026
KeyBancMatthew Gillmor$475$429.09 +19.5%Jul 14, 2026
Wells FargoAnalyst unavailable$485$424.62 +22.0%Jul 13, 2026
RBC CapitalAnalyst unavailable$463$433.88 +16.4%Jul 9, 2026
HSBCSidharth Sahoo$380$415.74 -4.4%Jul 6, 2026
Morgan StanleyAnalyst unavailable$468$419.82 +17.7%Jun 30, 2026
Leerink PartnersWhit Mayo$462$407.65 +16.2%Jun 17, 2026
Mizuho SecuritiesAnalyst unavailable$460$399.47 +15.7%Jun 8, 2026
Morgan StanleyErin Wright$453$377 +13.9%Jun 4, 2026
Truist FinancialAnalyst unavailable$440$380.31 +10.7%Jun 1, 2026
H.C. WainwrightAnalyst unavailable$492$376.86 +23.7%May 27, 2026
BernsteinAnalyst unavailable$492$376.86 +23.7%May 27, 2026
BarclaysAnalyst unavailable$429$378.99 +7.9%May 26, 2026
UBSAnalyst unavailable$460$382.48 +15.7%May 22, 2026
Mizuho SecuritiesAnalyst unavailable$440$389.24 +10.7%May 20, 2026
Goldman SachsAnalyst unavailable$435$370.48 +9.4%May 1, 2026
JefferiesAnalyst unavailable$373$324.63 -6.2%Apr 20, 2026
Truist FinancialDavid MacDonald$370$287.2 -6.9%Feb 2, 2026
Wells FargoStephen Baxter$370$292.29 -6.9%Jan 30, 2026
BarclaysAndrew Mok$327$292.29 -17.8%Jan 30, 2026
RBC CapitalAnalyst unavailable$361$291.25 -9.2%Jan 28, 2026
KeyBancAnalyst unavailable$405$288.01 +1.9%Jan 28, 2026
UBSAnalyst unavailable$410$291 +3.1%Jan 28, 2026
OppenheimerMichael Wiederhorn$385$282.7 -3.2%Jan 28, 2026
Morgan StanleyErin Wright$375$282.7 -5.7%Jan 28, 2026
Leerink PartnersAnalyst unavailable$345$282.7 -13.2%Jan 28, 2026
Piper SandlerAnalyst unavailable$396$281.73 -0.4%Jan 27, 2026
Morgan StanleyErin Wright$409$356.26 +2.9%Jan 25, 2026
BernsteinAnalyst unavailable$444$348.55 +11.7%Jan 6, 2026
Evercore ISIElizabeth Anderson$400$342.02 +0.6%Jan 6, 2026
BarclaysAndrew Mok$391$336.4 -1.7%Jan 5, 2026
BernsteinAnalyst unavailable$440$355.26 +10.7%Oct 30, 2025
UBSAnalyst unavailable$430$361.96 +8.1%Oct 29, 2025
RBC CapitalBen Hendrix$408$361.96 +2.6%Oct 29, 2025
OppenheimerAnalyst unavailable$415$367.84 +4.4%Oct 29, 2025
Leerink PartnersWhit Mayo$410$367.84 +3.1%Oct 29, 2025
Deutsche BankAnalyst unavailable$333$367.84 -16.3%Oct 29, 2025
Piper SandlerJessica Tassan$417$367.81 +4.9%Oct 28, 2025
JefferiesDavid Windley$409$356.67 +2.9%Oct 17, 2025
Truist FinancialAnalyst unavailable$410$357.55 +3.1%Oct 14, 2025
Goldman SachsAnalyst unavailable$406$358.66 +2.1%Oct 14, 2025
Mizuho SecuritiesAnalyst unavailable$430$369.92 +8.1%Oct 9, 2025
BarclaysAndrew Mok$386$369.92 -2.9%Oct 9, 2025
BernsteinAnalyst unavailable$433$363.66 +8.9%Oct 8, 2025
UBSAnalyst unavailable$400$363.66 +0.6%Oct 8, 2025
Wells FargoAnalyst unavailable$400$358.77 +0.6%Oct 7, 2025
Morgan StanleyAnalyst unavailable$325$346.78 -18.3%Sep 10, 2025
Truist FinancialAnalyst unavailable$365$347.92 -8.2%Sep 9, 2025
BernsteinAnalyst unavailable$379$315.39 -4.7%Sep 5, 2025
BarclaysAndrew Mok$352$310.38 -11.5%Sep 4, 2025
BarclaysAndrew Mok$362$307.88 -9.0%Sep 4, 2025
Robert W. BairdAnalyst unavailable$198$266.04 -50.2%Jul 31, 2025
Piper SandlerAnalyst unavailable$317$266.04 -20.3%Jul 30, 2025
UBSAnalyst unavailable$385$302.02 -3.2%Jun 25, 2025
HSBCSidharth Sahoo$270$302.98 -32.1%May 21, 2025
Wolfe ResearchJustin Lake$390$321.58 -1.9%May 20, 2025
Truist FinancialDavid MacDonald$360$315.89 -9.5%May 19, 2025
Mizuho SecuritiesAnn Hynes$350$291.91 -12.0%May 16, 2025
RBC CapitalBen Hendrix$355$291.91 -10.7%May 16, 2025
Morgan StanleyErin Wright$374$378.75 -5.9%May 14, 2025
RBC CapitalBen Hendrix$525$311.38 +32.0%May 13, 2025
KeyBancAnalyst unavailable$575$425.33 +44.6%Apr 21, 2025
JefferiesDavid Windley$635$549.53 +59.7%Dec 9, 2024
RBC CapitalBen Hendrix$595$556.29 +49.6%Oct 16, 2024
Truist FinancialDavid MacDonald$625$556.29 +57.2%Oct 16, 2024
Bank of America SecuritiesJoanna Gajuk$650$556.29 +63.5%Oct 16, 2024
JefferiesDavid Windley$643$556.29 +61.7%Oct 16, 2024
Deutsche BankGeorge Hill$595$556.29 +49.6%Oct 16, 2024
KeyBancMatthew Gillmor$650$569.66 +63.5%Oct 16, 2024
KeyBancMatthew Gillmor$675$597.7 +69.8%Oct 10, 2024
Argus ResearchDavid Toung$600$565.78 +50.9%Jul 17, 2024
Truist FinancialDavid MacDonald$640$548.87 +61.0%Jul 17, 2024
StephensScott Fidel$600$548.87 +50.9%Jul 17, 2024
JefferiesDavid Windley$647$573.28 +62.7%Jul 17, 2024
HSBCSidharth Sahoo$580$503.12 +45.9%Jun 5, 2024
Deutsche BankGeorge Hill$562$493.18 +41.3%Apr 19, 2024
Wells FargoStephen Baxter$525$483.16 +32.0%Apr 17, 2024
RBC CapitalBen Hendrix$555$468.89 +39.6%Apr 17, 2024
Piper SandlerJessica Tassan$571$468.89 +43.6%Apr 17, 2024
Piper SandlerJessica Tassan$566$450.05 +42.3%Apr 11, 2024
Morgan StanleyErin Wright$584$455.38 +46.9%Apr 5, 2024
HSBCRajesh Kumar$460$454.65 +15.7%Apr 4, 2024
OppenheimerMichael Wiederhorn$610$483.46 +53.4%Jul 17, 2023
Raymond JamesStrong Buy$630$510.86 +58.4%Apr 5, 2023
Credit SuisseAnalyst unavailable$610$542.48 +53.4%Dec 7, 2022
Morgan StanleyAnalyst unavailable$587$525.18 +47.6%Nov 23, 2022
Raymond JamesAnalyst unavailable$635$512.08 +59.7%Sep 22, 2022
Deutsche BankAnalyst unavailable$569$525.08 +43.1%Sep 8, 2022
Mizuho SecuritiesAnalyst unavailable$600$537.43 +50.9%Aug 10, 2022
UBSKavin Caliendo$570$542.52 +43.4%Aug 3, 2022
Argus ResearchAnalyst unavailable$650$528.49 +63.5%Jul 25, 2022
Deutsche BankAnalyst unavailable$556$528.98 +39.8%Jul 19, 2022
Leerink PartnersAnalyst unavailable$625$525.3 +57.2%Jul 18, 2022
Credit SuisseAnalyst unavailable$579$525.87 +45.6%Jul 18, 2022
Wells FargoStephen Baxter$612$507.11 +53.9%May 31, 2022
BMO CapitalMatt Borsch$600$517.57 +50.9%Apr 25, 2022
Wells FargoAnalyst unavailable$613$537.44 +54.2%Apr 22, 2022
RBC CapitalBen Hendrix$588$537.7 +47.9%Apr 20, 2022
Mizuho SecuritiesAnn Hynes$550$534.82 +38.3%Apr 14, 2022
UBSKevin Caliendo$545$537 +37.1%Apr 13, 2022
Truist FinancialDavid S Macdonald$610$536.95 +53.4%Apr 7, 2022
JefferiesDavid Windley$485$531.75 +22.0%Apr 6, 2022
BarclaysSteve Valiquette$565$512.59 +42.1%Apr 3, 2022
Leerink PartnersWhit Mayo$550$466.06 +38.3%Jan 30, 2022
UBSKevin Caliendo$468$461.63 +17.7%Jan 20, 2022
Evercore ISIMichael Newshel$480$461.16 +20.7%Jan 19, 2022
RBC CapitalBen Hendrix$563$461.16 +41.6%Jan 19, 2022
Bank of America SecuritiesKevin Fischbeck$574.2$461.16 +44.4%Jan 19, 2022
Seaport GlobalJoseph France$525$467.31 +32.0%Jan 14, 2022
BernsteinLance Wilkes$564$467.62 +41.8%Jan 11, 2022
J.P. MorganLisa Gill$540$485.68 +35.8%Dec 17, 2021
Goldman SachsNathan Rich$535$478.04 +34.6%Dec 14, 2021
StephensScott Fidel$475$441.59 +19.5%Dec 1, 2021
Morgan StanleyRicky Goldwasser$526$441.59 +32.3%Dec 1, 2021
Credit SuisseA.J. Rice$495$425.42 +24.5%Oct 15, 2021
OppenheimerMichael Wiederhorn$475$425.42 +19.5%Oct 15, 2021
Cantor FitzgeraldSteven Halper$465$417.76 +16.9%Oct 14, 2021
Wolfe ResearchJustin Lake$442$390.6 +11.2%Apr 26, 2021
Argus ResearchDavid Toung$450$393.51 +13.2%Apr 21, 2021
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Track every rating change on UNH the moment it posts. Free to start.

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Market reaction

prior-close to event-session close
Stock move +1.2% Event window
SPY move -0.5% Same window
Abnormal move +1.7% Stock minus SPY
Volume 2.2× Versus trailing sessions
Subsequent drift -1.4% Up to 20 sessions
UNHSPY benchmark

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Transcript intelligence

What changed

Q2 2026 adjusted EPS came in at $6.38 versus consensus $4.94, a 29.1% surprise. Revenue of $112.0B beat estimates by 1.1%. Operating earnings rose 55% year over year. Medicare Advantage medical cost trends came in below company expectations, while commercial cost trends remained above 11%. Management raised FY2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $19.50-$20 from a prior outlook above $18.25, and increased operating earnings targets for UnitedHealthcare and Optum Health. Share repurchases were accelerated to $5B for the year, and the dividend was raised to $9.28 per share. AI adoption reached 70% of employed clinicians with a target of >90% by year-end. The Alegeus Technologies combination closed on July 2. The stock's abnormal move on the report day was +1.70% versus a benchmark decline of -0.54%, on 2.22x baseline volume, with a subsequent drift of -1.36%.

Guidance delta

Guidance was raised. FY2026 adjusted EPS outlook lifted to $19.50-$20 from the prior 'above $18.25' level reaffirmed in Q1 2026. Operating earnings outlook increased for both UnitedHealthcare and Optum Health. Share repurchases accelerated from $2B planned by Q2 to $5B for the full year. Dividend raised to $9.28 per share. The company reaffirmed its long-term 13-16% growth ambition.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EPS of $6.38 beat consensus by 29.1%; revenue of $112.0B beat by 1.1%. Operating earnings rose 55% year over year.
  • FY2026 EPS guidance raised to $19.50-$20, with higher operating earnings targets for UnitedHealthcare and Optum Health.
  • Medicare Advantage cost trends came in below company expectations; commercial cost trends remained above 11%.
  • Optum Health achieved ~10% reduction in hospitalizations in targeted regions and expanded rural home-visit capacity to 2.5M visits.
  • AI adoption at 70% of employed clinicians, targeting >90% by year-end, driving claims, prior-auth, and documentation efficiencies.
  • Share repurchases accelerated to $5B; dividend raised to $9.28 per share.

Management priorities

  • Scale AI ambient listening and clinical documentation tools to >90% of providers by year-end.
  • Eliminate 30% of prior-authorization volume and two-thirds of pediatric prior-authorizations by year-end.
  • Expand Optum Health's home-based and rural care programs across the footprint by end-2026.
  • Commercialize AI-enabled products (Value Connect, digital prior auth) to external customers.
  • Execute $5B in share repurchases and the raised dividend.
  • Plan 2027 benefits with early payer collaboration and refined risk-adjusted pricing.

Related earnings events

Healthcare

Sources

  1. Earnings call transcript and parsed analysis · 2026-07-16T15:03:11.416641+00:00
  2. FN2 earnings calendar · 2026-07-28T01:23:15.070317+00:00
  3. Polygon adjusted daily market bars · 2026-07-28T08:21:58.241886+00:00
  4. Financial Modeling Prep analyst price-target consensus and quote snapshot · 2026-07-28T08:21:58.239517+00:00

Methodology

Reported and consensus figures come from FN2's earnings event records. Market reaction and volume are calculated from daily adjusted bars around the event; abnormal move subtracts the SPY move over the same window.

Analyst target low, average, and high values are derived at request time from each named analyst's latest persisted FMP target. The current-price marker comes from FN2's persisted market snapshot. They are sell-side estimates, not an FN2 valuation or recommendation.

Transcript intelligence is a structured synthesis of the current and prior earnings-call analyses. Missing values stay missing and are never estimated.

By FN2 Research · Updated . For educational purposes only; not investment advice.