Analyst Consensus ?
ConsensusBuy52 ratings
Bullish4382.7%
Neutral713.5%
Bearish23.8%
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated · UNH · FY2026 Q3 · Calendar Q4 2026
UnitedHealth raises 2026 EPS outlook as AI and care initiatives advance
The supplied analysis supports a constructive but qualified view: earnings growth and resilient demand are being reinforced by Medicare Advantage expansion, value-based care, and AI-enabled efficiency initiatives. The thesis remains dependent on containing medical costs and executing new products while Medicaid and commercial pressures persist.
Reported Before market openNYSEHealthcare
$343.75B market cap
80quality score
Earnings scorecard
Reported versus consensus
Reported EPS
—
Consensus $4.14
EPS surprise
—
Reported versus consensus
Reported revenue
—
Consensus $111.31B
Revenue surprise
—
Reported versus consensus
Market reaction
prior-close to event-session close
Stock move
+0.5%
Event window
SPY move
-0.2%
Same window
Abnormal move
+0.7%
Stock minus SPY
Volume
1.3×
Versus trailing sessions
Subsequent drift
0.0%
Up to 20 sessions
UNHSPY benchmark
Ask FN2 about UNH FY2026 Q3
Transcript, numbers and history already loaded
What drove UNH's +0.5% move after FY2026 Q3 earnings?What changed in UNH's guidance and outlook in FY2026 Q3?Give me the bull and bear case for UNH after FY2026 Q3 earnings.
Free account. Your question opens in FN2 with this report's transcript and numbers attached.
Transcript intelligence
What changed
Compared with the prior quarter, management reported Q3 revenue of $113 billion and adjusted EPS of $4.69, raised FY2026 adjusted EPS guidance to at least $20.50, and emphasized a reported 30% reduction in prior authorizations. The current analysis also added an AI-powered Medicare plan recommendation tool, new Optum Insight offerings, and a $1 billion United Health Foundation commitment.
Guidance delta
Management raised FY2026 adjusted EPS guidance to at least $20.50, versus the prior-quarter range of $19.50-$20.
Key takeaways
- Q3 revenue was $113 billion and adjusted EPS was $4.69, according to the supplied transcript analysis.
- Management highlighted AI-enabled tools, value-based care, and a reported 30% reduction in prior authorizations as efficiency drivers.
- Medicare Advantage expansion remains a growth focus, while Medicaid improvement is expected to be modest and funding timing remains a risk.
- New priorities include an AI-powered Medicare plan recommendation tool, Optum Insight solutions, and health-hub investments.
Management priorities
- Expand Medicare Advantage products and enrollment
- Scale AI-enabled clinical, administrative, and consulting tools
- Complete prior-authorization reform
- Expand United Health Foundation health hubs in underserved areas
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Try FN2 freeEarnings History
Estimate
Beat
Miss
Match
Analyst 52W Price Targets
$379.5Current
$198Low
$487.93Average
$650High
Latest persisted target per named analyst; persisted current price from FN2's market snapshot as of Oct 13, 2026. Not an FN2 forecast.
Firm-level rating actions
FMP grade actions identify the grading firm, not a named analyst.
| Firm | Rating | Prior rating | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Cowen | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Oct 9, 2026 |
| Mizuho | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jul 21, 2026 |
| JP Morgan | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Barclays | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jul 20, 2026 |
| UBS | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jul 17, 2026 |
| Truist Securities | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jul 17, 2026 |
| RBC Capital | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jul 17, 2026 |
| Oppenheimer | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jul 17, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jul 17, 2026 |
| Keybanc | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jul 17, 2026 |
| Baird | Neutral | Underperform | Upgrade | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jul 13, 2026 |
| HSBC | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Jul 6, 2026 |
| B of A Securities | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Leerink Partners | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jun 17, 2026 |
| Bernstein | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | May 27, 2026 |
| Argus Research | Buy | Hold | Upgrade | Apr 22, 2026 |
| Jefferies | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Raymond James | Outperform | Market Perform | Upgrade | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Piper Sandler | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Oct 29, 2025 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Aug 26, 2025 |
| Wolfe Research | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | May 20, 2025 |
| TD Securities | Hold | Buy | Downgrade | May 19, 2025 |
| Deutsche Bank | Buy | Buy | Maintain | May 14, 2025 |
| Stephens & Co. | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Dec 5, 2024 |
| Erste Group | Hold | Buy | Downgrade | Mar 13, 2024 |
| SVB Securities | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jun 14, 2023 |
| Loop Capital | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Apr 17, 2023 |
| SVB Leerink | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jan 17, 2023 |
| Credit Suisse | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Dec 7, 2022 |
| BMO Capital | Market Perform | Market Perform | Maintain | Jul 20, 2022 |
| Goldman Sachs | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Dec 14, 2021 |
| Citigroup | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jul 16, 2021 |
| Seaport Global | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jul 9, 2021 |
| SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | Buy | Buy | Maintain | May 21, 2020 |
| Argus | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Dec 17, 2018 |
| Bank of America | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Oct 17, 2018 |
| Cowen & Co. | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Sep 17, 2018 |
| PiperJaffray | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jan 4, 2017 |
| Evercore ISI Group | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Sep 23, 2016 |
| Cleveland Research | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Apr 8, 2016 |
| Sterne Agee CRT | Buy | Neutral | Upgrade | Jun 26, 2015 |
| Sterne Agee | Buy | Neutral | Upgrade | Jun 26, 2015 |
| Leerink Swann | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Mar 31, 2015 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Dec 3, 2014 |
| Stifel | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Dec 2, 2014 |
| FBR Capital | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jul 18, 2014 |
| Monness, Crespi, Hardt | Sell | Neutral | Downgrade | Jan 21, 2014 |
| Monness Crespi Hardt | Sell | Neutral | Downgrade | Jan 21, 2014 |
| Standpoint Research | Hold | Buy | Downgrade | Jun 17, 2013 |
| Bank oferica | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Apr 20, 2012 |
| Wedbush | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Apr 9, 2012 |
Named analyst price targets
Upside is calculated against the persisted current price $379.5. FMP does not supply a rating on these named-analyst rows.
| Firm | Analyst | 52W target | Price when posted | Upside | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Street | Analyst unavailable | $402 | $370.95 | +5.9% | Oct 9, 2026 |
| D.A. Davidson | Analyst unavailable | $512 | $430.92 | +34.9% | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Ann Hynes | $493 | $421.55 | +29.9% | Jul 20, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Stephen Baxter | $526 | $426.09 | +38.6% | Jul 20, 2026 |
| Barclays | Analyst unavailable | $441 | $426.09 | +16.2% | Jul 20, 2026 |
| Truist Financial | David MacDonald | $500 | $429.39 | +31.8% | Jul 17, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $490 | $423.38 | +29.1% | Jul 17, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $529 | $423.38 | +39.4% | Jul 17, 2026 |
| KeyBanc | Matthew Gillmor | $500 | $423.38 | +31.8% | Jul 17, 2026 |
| Robert W. Baird | Michael Ha | $453 | $429.43 | +19.4% | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Piper Sandler | Jessica Tassan | $477 | $446.72 | +25.7% | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Piper Sandler | Analyst unavailable | $475 | $419.23 | +25.2% | Jul 15, 2026 |
| Truist Financial | Analyst unavailable | $480 | $429.09 | +26.5% | Jul 14, 2026 |
| KeyBanc | Matthew Gillmor | $475 | $429.09 | +25.2% | Jul 14, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $485 | $424.62 | +27.8% | Jul 13, 2026 |
| RBC Capital | Analyst unavailable | $463 | $433.88 | +22.0% | Jul 9, 2026 |
| HSBC | Sidharth Sahoo | $380 | $415.74 | +0.1% | Jul 6, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $468 | $419.82 | +23.3% | Jun 30, 2026 |
| Leerink Partners | Whit Mayo | $462 | $407.65 | +21.7% | Jun 17, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $460 | $399.47 | +21.2% | Jun 8, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Erin Wright | $453 | $377 | +19.4% | Jun 4, 2026 |
| Truist Financial | Analyst unavailable | $440 | $380.31 | +15.9% | Jun 1, 2026 |
| H.C. Wainwright | Analyst unavailable | $492 | $376.86 | +29.6% | May 27, 2026 |
| Bernstein | Analyst unavailable | $492 | $376.86 | +29.6% | May 27, 2026 |
| Barclays | Analyst unavailable | $429 | $378.99 | +13.0% | May 26, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $460 | $382.48 | +21.2% | May 22, 2026 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $440 | $389.24 | +15.9% | May 20, 2026 |
| Goldman Sachs | Analyst unavailable | $435 | $370.48 | +14.6% | May 1, 2026 |
| Jefferies | Analyst unavailable | $373 | $324.63 | -1.7% | Apr 20, 2026 |
| Truist Financial | David MacDonald | $370 | $287.2 | -2.5% | Feb 2, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Stephen Baxter | $370 | $292.29 | -2.5% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| Barclays | Andrew Mok | $327 | $292.29 | -13.8% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| RBC Capital | Analyst unavailable | $361 | $291.25 | -4.9% | Jan 28, 2026 |
| KeyBanc | Analyst unavailable | $405 | $288.01 | +6.7% | Jan 28, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $410 | $291 | +8.0% | Jan 28, 2026 |
| Oppenheimer | Michael Wiederhorn | $385 | $282.7 | +1.5% | Jan 28, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Erin Wright | $375 | $282.7 | -1.2% | Jan 28, 2026 |
| Leerink Partners | Analyst unavailable | $345 | $282.7 | -9.1% | Jan 28, 2026 |
| Piper Sandler | Analyst unavailable | $396 | $281.73 | +4.3% | Jan 27, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Erin Wright | $409 | $356.26 | +7.8% | Jan 25, 2026 |
| Bernstein | Analyst unavailable | $444 | $348.55 | +17.0% | Jan 6, 2026 |
| Evercore ISI | Elizabeth Anderson | $400 | $342.02 | +5.4% | Jan 6, 2026 |
| Barclays | Andrew Mok | $391 | $336.4 | +3.0% | Jan 5, 2026 |
| Bernstein | Analyst unavailable | $440 | $355.26 | +15.9% | Oct 30, 2025 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $430 | $361.96 | +13.3% | Oct 29, 2025 |
| RBC Capital | Ben Hendrix | $408 | $361.96 | +7.5% | Oct 29, 2025 |
| Oppenheimer | Analyst unavailable | $415 | $367.84 | +9.4% | Oct 29, 2025 |
| Leerink Partners | Whit Mayo | $410 | $367.84 | +8.0% | Oct 29, 2025 |
| Deutsche Bank | Analyst unavailable | $333 | $367.84 | -12.3% | Oct 29, 2025 |
| Piper Sandler | Jessica Tassan | $417 | $367.81 | +9.9% | Oct 28, 2025 |
| Jefferies | David Windley | $409 | $356.67 | +7.8% | Oct 17, 2025 |
| Truist Financial | Analyst unavailable | $410 | $357.55 | +8.0% | Oct 14, 2025 |
| Goldman Sachs | Analyst unavailable | $406 | $358.66 | +7.0% | Oct 14, 2025 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $430 | $369.92 | +13.3% | Oct 9, 2025 |
| Barclays | Andrew Mok | $386 | $369.92 | +1.7% | Oct 9, 2025 |
| Bernstein | Analyst unavailable | $433 | $363.66 | +14.1% | Oct 8, 2025 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $400 | $363.66 | +5.4% | Oct 8, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $400 | $358.77 | +5.4% | Oct 7, 2025 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $325 | $346.78 | -14.4% | Sep 10, 2025 |
| Truist Financial | Analyst unavailable | $365 | $347.92 | -3.8% | Sep 9, 2025 |
| Bernstein | Analyst unavailable | $379 | $315.39 | -0.1% | Sep 5, 2025 |
| Barclays | Andrew Mok | $352 | $310.38 | -7.2% | Sep 4, 2025 |
| Barclays | Andrew Mok | $362 | $307.88 | -4.6% | Sep 4, 2025 |
| Robert W. Baird | Analyst unavailable | $198 | $266.04 | -47.8% | Jul 31, 2025 |
| Piper Sandler | Analyst unavailable | $317 | $266.04 | -16.5% | Jul 30, 2025 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $385 | $302.02 | +1.5% | Jun 25, 2025 |
| HSBC | Sidharth Sahoo | $270 | $302.98 | -28.9% | May 21, 2025 |
| Wolfe Research | Justin Lake | $390 | $321.58 | +2.8% | May 20, 2025 |
| Truist Financial | David MacDonald | $360 | $315.89 | -5.1% | May 19, 2025 |
| Mizuho Securities | Ann Hynes | $350 | $291.91 | -7.8% | May 16, 2025 |
| RBC Capital | Ben Hendrix | $355 | $291.91 | -6.5% | May 16, 2025 |
| Morgan Stanley | Erin Wright | $374 | $378.75 | -1.4% | May 14, 2025 |
| RBC Capital | Ben Hendrix | $525 | $311.38 | +38.3% | May 13, 2025 |
| KeyBanc | Analyst unavailable | $575 | $425.33 | +51.5% | Apr 21, 2025 |
| Jefferies | David Windley | $635 | $549.53 | +67.3% | Dec 9, 2024 |
| RBC Capital | Ben Hendrix | $595 | $556.29 | +56.8% | Oct 16, 2024 |
| Truist Financial | David MacDonald | $625 | $556.29 | +64.7% | Oct 16, 2024 |
| Bank of America Securities | Joanna Gajuk | $650 | $556.29 | +71.3% | Oct 16, 2024 |
| Jefferies | David Windley | $643 | $556.29 | +69.4% | Oct 16, 2024 |
| Deutsche Bank | George Hill | $595 | $556.29 | +56.8% | Oct 16, 2024 |
| KeyBanc | Matthew Gillmor | $650 | $569.66 | +71.3% | Oct 16, 2024 |
| KeyBanc | Matthew Gillmor | $675 | $597.7 | +77.9% | Oct 10, 2024 |
| Argus Research | David Toung | $600 | $565.78 | +58.1% | Jul 17, 2024 |
| Truist Financial | David MacDonald | $640 | $548.87 | +68.6% | Jul 17, 2024 |
| Stephens | Scott Fidel | $600 | $548.87 | +58.1% | Jul 17, 2024 |
| Jefferies | David Windley | $647 | $573.28 | +70.5% | Jul 17, 2024 |
| HSBC | Sidharth Sahoo | $580 | $503.12 | +52.8% | Jun 5, 2024 |
| Deutsche Bank | George Hill | $562 | $493.18 | +48.1% | Apr 19, 2024 |
| Wells Fargo | Stephen Baxter | $525 | $483.16 | +38.3% | Apr 17, 2024 |
| RBC Capital | Ben Hendrix | $555 | $468.89 | +46.2% | Apr 17, 2024 |
| Piper Sandler | Jessica Tassan | $571 | $468.89 | +50.5% | Apr 17, 2024 |
| Piper Sandler | Jessica Tassan | $566 | $450.05 | +49.1% | Apr 11, 2024 |
| Morgan Stanley | Erin Wright | $584 | $455.38 | +53.9% | Apr 5, 2024 |
| HSBC | Rajesh Kumar | $460 | $454.65 | +21.2% | Apr 4, 2024 |
| Oppenheimer | Michael Wiederhorn | $610 | $483.46 | +60.7% | Jul 17, 2023 |
| Raymond James | Strong Buy | $630 | $510.86 | +66.0% | Apr 5, 2023 |
| Credit Suisse | Analyst unavailable | $610 | $542.48 | +60.7% | Dec 7, 2022 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $587 | $525.18 | +54.7% | Nov 23, 2022 |
| Raymond James | Analyst unavailable | $635 | $512.08 | +67.3% | Sep 22, 2022 |
| Deutsche Bank | Analyst unavailable | $569 | $525.08 | +49.9% | Sep 8, 2022 |
| Mizuho Securities | Analyst unavailable | $600 | $537.43 | +58.1% | Aug 10, 2022 |
| UBS | Kavin Caliendo | $570 | $542.52 | +50.2% | Aug 3, 2022 |
| Argus Research | Analyst unavailable | $650 | $528.49 | +71.3% | Jul 25, 2022 |
| Deutsche Bank | Analyst unavailable | $556 | $528.98 | +46.5% | Jul 19, 2022 |
| Leerink Partners | Analyst unavailable | $625 | $525.3 | +64.7% | Jul 18, 2022 |
| Credit Suisse | Analyst unavailable | $579 | $525.87 | +52.6% | Jul 18, 2022 |
| Wells Fargo | Stephen Baxter | $612 | $507.11 | +61.3% | May 31, 2022 |
| BMO Capital | Matt Borsch | $600 | $517.57 | +58.1% | Apr 25, 2022 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $613 | $537.44 | +61.5% | Apr 22, 2022 |
| RBC Capital | Ben Hendrix | $588 | $537.7 | +54.9% | Apr 20, 2022 |
| Mizuho Securities | Ann Hynes | $550 | $534.82 | +44.9% | Apr 14, 2022 |
| UBS | Kevin Caliendo | $545 | $537 | +43.6% | Apr 13, 2022 |
| Truist Financial | David S Macdonald | $610 | $536.95 | +60.7% | Apr 7, 2022 |
| Jefferies | David Windley | $485 | $531.75 | +27.8% | Apr 6, 2022 |
| Barclays | Steve Valiquette | $565 | $512.59 | +48.9% | Apr 3, 2022 |
| Leerink Partners | Whit Mayo | $550 | $466.06 | +44.9% | Jan 30, 2022 |
| UBS | Kevin Caliendo | $468 | $461.63 | +23.3% | Jan 20, 2022 |
| Evercore ISI | Michael Newshel | $480 | $461.16 | +26.5% | Jan 19, 2022 |
| RBC Capital | Ben Hendrix | $563 | $461.16 | +48.4% | Jan 19, 2022 |
| Bank of America Securities | Kevin Fischbeck | $574.2 | $461.16 | +51.3% | Jan 19, 2022 |
| Seaport Global | Joseph France | $525 | $467.31 | +38.3% | Jan 14, 2022 |
| Bernstein | Lance Wilkes | $564 | $467.62 | +48.6% | Jan 11, 2022 |
| J.P. Morgan | Lisa Gill | $540 | $485.68 | +42.3% | Dec 17, 2021 |
| Goldman Sachs | Nathan Rich | $535 | $478.04 | +41.0% | Dec 14, 2021 |
| Stephens | Scott Fidel | $475 | $441.59 | +25.2% | Dec 1, 2021 |
| Morgan Stanley | Ricky Goldwasser | $526 | $441.59 | +38.6% | Dec 1, 2021 |
| Credit Suisse | A.J. Rice | $495 | $425.42 | +30.4% | Oct 15, 2021 |
| Oppenheimer | Michael Wiederhorn | $475 | $425.42 | +25.2% | Oct 15, 2021 |
| Cantor Fitzgerald | Steven Halper | $465 | $417.76 | +22.5% | Oct 14, 2021 |
| Wolfe Research | Justin Lake | $442 | $390.6 | +16.5% | Apr 26, 2021 |
| Argus Research | David Toung | $450 | $393.51 | +18.6% | Apr 21, 2021 |
Track every rating change on UNH the moment it posts. Free to start.
Start freeCompany context
Snapshot as of publicationUnitedHealth 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.…
Historical context
All UNH earningsHealthcare peers this season
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| MDT Medtronic plc | FY2027 Q1 · Calendar Q3 2026 | +4.3% | +1.5% | Medtronic raises FY27 outlook as growth broadens across platforms |
Latest beats and misses
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One email per quarter with the scorecard, the market reaction and what changed on the call. No account needed.
Sources
- Earnings call transcript and parsed analysis · 2026-10-13T15:03:15.276788+00:00
- FN2 earnings calendar · 2026-10-13T01:23:11.860783+00:00
- Polygon adjusted daily market bars · 2026-10-13T16:10:40.876724+00:00
- Financial Modeling Prep analyst price-target consensus and quote snapshot · 2026-10-13T16:10:40.874146+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 · As of 2026-10-13. For educational purposes only; not investment advice.