UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH), a dominant force in the U.S. healthcare market, has come under intense scrutiny in 2025.
A series of regulatory investigations, elevated medical costs, and a cut in earnings guidance have significantly impacted investor sentiment, sending the stock to five-year lows. Despite these challenges, many Wall Street analysts continue to express confidence in the company’s long-term outlook, projecting a substantial recovery.
This article explores what top analysts are currently saying about UNH stock, their price targets for 2025, and whether the stock remains a compelling investment opportunity.
Analyst Consensus: Moderate to Strong Buy
As of July 2025, the consensus rating from major financial analysts remains moderately bullish.
According to MarketBeat and other financial platforms, 15 analysts rate UNH as a Buy, 8 rate it as a Hold, and only 1 gives it a Sell rating.
The widespread optimism is largely driven by UnitedHealth’s strong core businesses, including its Optum division and Medicare Advantage operations, which continue to generate substantial revenue despite ongoing regulatory challenges.
UNH Stock Price Target for 2025
Analyst price targets for UNH stock in 2025 vary significantly, reflecting both uncertainty and opportunity. The average target across multiple platforms currently ranges between $376 and $426.
This suggests a potential upside of 25% to 48% from its current trading level of approximately $288.
Here is a summary of leading forecasts:
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MarketBeat: Average target $394.43
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Zacks Investment Research: Average target $358.70
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WallStreetZen: Average target $376.70
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StockAnalysis.com: Average target $426.48
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Lowest target (HSBC): $270
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Highest target (Cantor Fitzgerald): $700
This wide range of price expectations underscores the uncertainty surrounding the stock but also reflects the possibility of a strong rebound if key risk factors are mitigated.
Recent Analyst Price Target Revisions
A number of analysts have updated their price targets for UNH in recent months, with both upward and downward revisions based on evolving conditions.
JP Morgan (Lisa Gill)
Maintains an Overweight rating with a raised target of $418, up from $405. JP Morgan views the regulatory investigation as manageable and expects cost pressures to ease in 2026.
UBS Group
Reaffirmed a Buy rating but revised its price target down to $385 from $400. UBS remains confident in the long-term fundamentals, particularly the growth potential within the Optum unit.
Oppenheimer
Maintains an Outperform rating with a $400 price target. The firm expects margins to recover by 2026–2027 following operational adjustments.
Barclays (Andrew Mok)
Continues with an Overweight rating but reduced the price target to $337 from $350 due to ongoing regulatory uncertainty.
Truist Securities
Lowered its price target from $360 to $345 while maintaining a Buy rating, citing concerns over recent guidance cuts and regulatory probes.
HSBC (Sidharth Sahoo)
Issued the most bearish outlook with a downgrade to Reduce and a steep cut in the target price from $490 to $270, citing significant Medicare billing and policy risks.
Key Factors Driving the Downward Pressure
Several developments have contributed to the recent decline in UNH stock:
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DOJ Investigation
UnitedHealth is currently under criminal and civil investigation for its Medicare Advantage billing practices. While the company has stated it is cooperating, the uncertainty has weighed heavily on investor sentiment. -
Earnings Guidance Cut
UnitedHealth lowered its full-year 2025 earnings per share (EPS) forecast from $29–$30 to $26–$26.50, citing rising medical costs and increased regulatory scrutiny. -
Executive Transition
The leadership shakeup following the CEO departure in early 2025 has raised concerns about strategic continuity. -
Elevated Medical Costs
Higher utilization rates and inflationary pressures on care delivery are impacting margins and complicating long-term forecasting.
What Analysts Are Watching Ahead of Q2 Earnings
UnitedHealth is scheduled to release its second-quarter earnings on July 29, 2025. Analysts will be closely monitoring several key indicators:
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Performance of the Optum segment
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Medicare Advantage enrollment and utilization data
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Updated earnings guidance for the remainder of the year
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Any new developments in the Department of Justice investigation
Positive results in these areas could provide much-needed support to the stock and validate the bullish forecasts from many institutions.
Is UNH Still a Buy?
Despite the stock’s decline and the surrounding uncertainty, the majority of analysts maintain a Buy or Overweight rating on UnitedHealth Group.
Most price targets suggest that the stock is undervalued at current levels, with strong potential for recovery if the company can stabilize margins and resolve regulatory issues.
While risks remain, particularly around government scrutiny and healthcare inflation, the long-term fundamentals appear intact.
For investors willing to weather short-term volatility, UNH stock may offer an attractive entry point with considerable upside.
Key Takeaway:
UNH stock is currently rated as a Buy by most analysts, with average price targets in the range of $350 to $400.
Although regulatory and cost-related risks remain, many experts see strong long-term value in the stock’s current low valuation.
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