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olivLaw · US equity research

UNH UNH

Hospital & Medical Service Plans · SIC 6324 · Vertical: Hospital & Medical Service Plans (SIC 6324)

409.38USD+1.22% · 1 dayClose 04 Nov 2026

UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company with total revenues of 447.6 billion USD in fiscal 2025, organized around two complementary businesses, Optum and UnitedHealthcare. In the third quarter of 2026 revenues were 112.7 billion USD, and the company raised its full year 2026 adjusted earnings outlook to at least 20.50 USD per share.

The AI analysis may be outdated: new filings came after its sources (see the «AI analysis» section).

At the close of 04 Nov 2026, UNH (UNH) stock was 409.38 USD (+1.22% on the day), with market capitalisation 366.8 bn USD, P/E 23.4 on diluted EPS of 17.51 USD over the last 12 months, dividend yield 2.21%, beta 0.32, 52-week range 259.02–436.35 USD. Latest reported quarter (Q3 2026): revenue of 112.7 bn USD (−0.4% YoY), net income of 4.1 bn USD (+75.0% YoY), diluted EPS 4.56 USD.

Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: SEC filings and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.

Market cap
366.8 bn USD
shares as of 30 Oct 2026
P/E (TTM)
23.4
Diluted EPS TTM 17.51 · TTM to 30 Sept 2026
E/P (TTM)
4.28%
TTM to 30 Sept 2026
Dividend yield
2.21%
DPS 12m 9.06
Beta (2y)
0.32
Volatility (1y) 36%
52-week range
259.02436.35

Price history

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Technical reading

RSI (14)
57.0
strong (55–70)
Bollinger (20, 2)
373.38 – 432.30
in the upper half of the band · %B 0.61 · band width 14.6%
SMA 50 / 200
390.77 / 363.79
uptrend (price > SMA50 > SMA200)
MACD (12, 26, 9)
5.80 / 6.58
MACD below signal

Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).

Performance

CompanyS&P 500vs S&P 500Vertical median
1 month+8.1%−1.1%+9.2 pp—
3 months−0.8%−0.5%−0.4 pp—
6 months+11.5%+4.4%+7.1 pp—
Year to date+24.0%+12.3%+11.7 pp—
1 year+23.7%+13.5%+10.2 pp+52.7%
3 years−22.9%+76.4%−99.3 pp+8.5%
5 years−10.2%+63.7%−73.9 pp—
Max drawdown (1y)
−27.3%
23 Jan 2026 → 27 Mar 2026
Max drawdown (5y)
−62.0%
11 Nov 2024 → 01 Aug 2025
Compound annual growth (5y)
−2.1%
S&P 500 +10.4%

Price returns, dividends excluded.

Quarterly results

Latest quarter: Q3 2026 · 30 Sept 2026

Revenue
112.7 bn USD
−0.4% YoY
Net income
4.1 bn USD
+75.0% YoY
Diluted EPS
4.56
+76.1% YoY
net / operating
3.6% / 5.8%

Quarterly margins

Quarterly statements · USD

Fiscal yearQ4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26Q2 '26Q3 '26
Revenue100.8 bn109.6 bn111.6 bn113.2 bn113.2 bn111.7 bn112.0 bn112.7 bn
Cost of revenue12.5 bn12.4 bn13.0 bn12.6 bn12.7 bn12.8 bn13.4 bn13.7 bn
SG&A12.5 bn13.6 bn13.8 bn15.2 bn17.0 bn15.4 bn14.3 bn14.4 bn
Operating income7.8 bn9.1 bn5.2 bn4.3 bn380.0 m9.0 bn8.0 bn6.6 bn
Depreciation & amortisation1.0 bn1.1 bn1.1 bn1.1 bn1.1 bn1.0 bn1.0 bn1.1 bn
Interest expense1.0 bn998.0 m1.0 bn1.0 bn974.0 m955.0 m962.0 m963.0 m
Pre-tax income6.8 bn8.1 bn4.1 bn3.2 bn-720.0 m8.0 bn7.0 bn5.5 bn
Income tax1.0 bn1.6 bn510.0 m686.0 m-938.0 m1.5 bn1.3 bn1.2 bn
Net income5.5 bn6.3 bn3.4 bn2.3 bn10.0 m6.3 bn5.5 bn4.1 bn
Diluted EPS5.99 ≈6.853.742.590.01 ≈6.906.044.56
Operating cash flow2.4 bn5.5 bn7.2 bn ≈5.9 bn ≈1.1 bn8.9 bn11.1 bn ≈5.1 bn ≈
Capex912.0 m898.0 m886.0 m ≈890.0 m ≈948.0 m763.0 m799.0 m ≈859.0 m ≈
Dividends paid1.9 bn1.9 bn2.0 bn ≈2.0 bn ≈2.0 bn2.0 bn2.1 bn ≈2.1 bn ≈
Share repurchases5.0 bn3.0 bn2.5 bn ≈0 ≈001.6 bn ≈3.4 bn ≈

≈ derived quarter (cumulative difference / share-days average)

E/P over time

E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.

Today's P/E sits at the 70 percentile of its own 44-quarter history (min 13.5, median 21.6, max 38.0; quarters with earnings only).

Fiscal years

Fiscal year20182019202020212022202320242025
Revenue226.2 bn242.2 bn257.1 bn287.6 bn324.2 bn371.6 bn400.3 bn447.6 bn
Revenue YoY+12.5%+7.0%+6.2%+11.8%+12.7%+14.6%+7.7%+11.8%
Net income12.0 bn13.8 bn15.4 bn17.3 bn20.1 bn22.4 bn14.4 bn12.1 bn
Net income YoY+13.5%+15.5%+11.3%+12.2%+16.4%+11.2%−35.6%−16.3%
Diluted EPS12.1914.3316.0318.0821.1823.8615.5113.23
Diluted EPS YoY+13.7%+17.6%+11.9%+12.8%+17.1%+12.7%−35.0%−14.7%
net %5.3%5.7%6.0%6.0%6.2%6.0%3.6%2.7%
Free cash flow13.7 bn16.4 bn20.1 bn19.9 bn23.4 bn25.7 bn20.7 bn16.1 bn

Reported results vs expectations

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Balance sheet & financial health

Fiscal year 2025 · 31 Dec 2025

Cash
24.4 bn USD
Financial debt
78.4 bn USD
Net debt
54.0 bn USD
Equity
100.1 bn USD
Total assets
309.6 bn USD
Debt / equity
0.78x
Current ratio
0.79x
ROE
12.2%
ROA
4.0%
FCF margin
3.6%

Financial statements (source on every figure)

Revenue and net income (USD)

Income statement · USD

Pre-tax income
2023
29.1 bn
2024
20.1 bn
2025
14.7 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Net income
2023
22.4 bn
2024
14.4 bn
2025
12.1 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Diluted EPS
2023
23.86
2024
15.51
2025
13.23

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Dividend per share
2023
7.29
2024
8.18
2025
8.73

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Balance sheet · USD

Cash
2023
25.4 bn
2024
25.3 bn
2025
24.4 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Total assets
2023
273.7 bn
2024
298.3 bn
2025
309.6 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Short-term debt
2023
4.3 bn
2024
4.5 bn
2025
6.1 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Long-term debt
2023
58.3 bn
2024
72.4 bn
2025
72.3 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Total liabilities
2023
174.8 bn
2024
195.7 bn
2025
207.9 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Equity
2023
94.4 bn
2024
98.3 bn
2025
100.1 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Cash flow · USD

Dividends paid
2023
6.8 bn
2024
7.5 bn
2025
7.9 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Share repurchases
2023
8.0 bn
2024
9.0 bn
2025
5.5 bn

SEC (XBRL)· 02 Mar 2026verified

Computed indicators

Growth

Revenue growth (YoY)
11.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Revenue CAGR 3Y
11.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
Revenue CAGR 5Y
11.7%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025
Net income growth (YoY)
-16.3%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Net income CAGR 3Y
-15.7%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
Net income CAGR 5Y
-4.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025
EPS growth (YoY)
-14.7%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
EPS CAGR 3Y
-14.5%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
EPS CAGR 5Y
-3.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025

Profitability

Net margin
3.5%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026

Returns

ROE
15.4%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Sept 2026
ROA
5.1%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Sept 2026
Payout ratio (EPS)
51.7%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026

Market and valuation

Market capitalisation
366.8 bn USD
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Sept 2026
Market cap / net income TTM
23.1x
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026
P/E (TTM)
23.4x
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026
Earnings yield
4.3%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026
P/B
3.5x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Sept 2026
P/S
0.8x
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Sept 2026
Dividend yield
2.2%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026
Shareholder yield (distributions)
3.6%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Sept 2026

Insurance

Loss ratio
unavailable
input data missing

32 indicators that do not apply to the sector.

Valuation

olivLaw classification

Neutral profile

Score: 60 / 100

A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.

Closing price

409.38 USD

04 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series

Market cap: 366.8 bn USD

Key indicators

Market capitalisation
366.8 bn USD
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Sept 2026
P/E (TTM)
23.4x
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026
P/B
3.5x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 30 Sept 2026
ROE
15.4%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 30 Sept 2026
Net margin
3.5%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026
Revenue growth (YoY)
11.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Dividend yield
2.2%
computed by olivLawTTM to 30 Sept 2026

Coverage and freshness

12/20 reporting lines present
Latest full fiscal year: 2025
Latest reported period: 30 Sept 2026
Latest balance sheet date: 30 Sept 2026
Share count (cover of the latest filing), as of: 30 Oct 2026
Source: SEC (XBRL)published 03 Nov 2026
verified 3090derived 255

Score by group

  • Valuation50
  • Balance sheet100
  • Quality88
  • Growth44
  • Returns44

Estimated value range

Low
192.85
USD per share
Mid
221.21
USD per share
High
259.35
USD per share
Price: 409.38 USD
The price is above the range
Potential to the central value: -46.0% (value / price − 1)
Margin of safety: -85.1% (1 − price / value)
Agreement between methods: low · 5 methods used · 4 independent bases

The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 114.72 – 1,014.19 USD.

Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.

Method ranges (USD per share)

— — Mid · ▏ Price

Valuation methods

  • Residual income129.38 – 135.15 (Mid 132.22)
  • Justified P/B192.85 – 259.35 (Mid 221.21)
  • Dividend discount (DDM)114.72 – 154.28 (Mid 131.59)
  • Peers: P/E383.09 – 1,014.19 (Mid 455.80)
    7 companies used · median multiple 26.0x · quartiles 21.9x – 57.9x
    ALHC, CI, CNC, ELV, HUM, OSCR, TRUP
  • Peers: P/B226.03 – 326.29 (Mid 278.72)
    6 companies used · median multiple 2.4x · quartiles 1.9x – 2.8x
    CI, CNC, ELV, HUM, MOH, TRUP
Multiple comparisons use the SIC vertical: Hospital & Medical Service Plans (SIC 6324)

Classification (SIC) comparables group by industry code, not by economic activity; the direct group is an editorial selection by activity. Members' multiples are on their own trailing twelve months, at their own latest close.

Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)

Risk-free rate
4.3%
Equity risk premium
5.0%
Beta (default)
1.00
Cost of equity
9.3%
Terminal growth
2.5%

Factor scorecard

Neutral profile · Score 60/100

FactorValueScoreWeight used
ROE · Quality15.4%88 (vs peers)20%
Loss ratio · Qualityunavailableunavailable—
EPS CAGR 3Y · Growth-14.5%0 (on a fixed band)11%
Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth11.4%100 (on a fixed band)9%
ROA · Balance sheet5.1%100 (on a fixed band)9%
P/B · Valuation3.5x29 (vs peers)16%
P/E (TTM) · Valuation23.4x71 (vs peers)16%
Dividend yield · Returns2.2%20 (on a fixed band)11%
Payout ratio (EPS) · Returns51.7%83 (on a fixed band)7%

Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.

Score groups

  • Balance sheet100/100 · 1/1 factors with a value
  • Growth44/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
  • Quality· partial88/100 · 1/2 factors with a value
  • Returns44/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
  • Valuation50/100 · 2/2 factors with a value

A «partial» group is computed from under half of its weight or from one factor: it is not a full assessment of the group.

Memo

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). Latest full fiscal year: 2025; data up to 2026-09-30.

Figures computed from the financial statements: YoY growth 11.8%; net margin 3.5%; ROE 15.4%.

The estimated value range is 192.85–259.35 USD per share (median of 5 methods, agreement: low); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 221.21 USD, the price of 409.38 USD leaves a potential of -46.0% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of -85.1% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.

olivLaw score 60/100, methodological classification: neutral profile (score, margin of safety and method agreement together; not a judgement of the right price). Groups assessed only in part: quality. Not investment advice.

Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.

What supports the thesis

  • ROE: 15.4%
  • Revenue CAGR 3Y: 11.4%
  • ROA: 5.1%
  • P/E (TTM): 23.4x
  • Payout ratio (EPS): 51.7%

What contradicts it

  • EPS CAGR 3Y: -14.5%
  • P/B: 3.5x
  • Dividend yield: 2.2%
  • The price is above the estimated value range
  • The valuation methods diverge

Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): Loss ratio.

Versus the vertical median

Hospital & Medical Service Plans (SIC 6324) · same industry (4-digit SIC) · compared with 9 companies

The size band was not applied: too few companies would have remained; the vertical includes much smaller or larger companies.

Multiples and returns vs the median

P/E
23.4x
vertical median 26.0x
below median (−10.2%)
EV/EBITDA
—
vertical median —
P/S
0.8x
vertical median 0.3x
above median (+136.7%)
P/B
3.5x
vertical median 2.7x
above median (+30.6%)
ROE
15.4%
vertical median 9.2%
above median (+68.2%)
Net margin
3.5%
vertical median 0.8%
above median (+358.9%)
EBIT margin
—
vertical median —
Revenue YoY
11.8%
vertical median 12.5%
below median (−5.4%)
Net debt/EBITDA
—
vertical median —
Dividend yield
2.2%
vertical median 1.6%
above median (+39.9%)

Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)

Companies in the vertical

Market capP/EROENet marginRevenue YoY1A / 3A
UNHUnitedHealth Group Incorporated366.8 bn23.415.4%3.5%+11.8%+24% / −23%
ELVElevance Health, Inc.93.8 bn18.511.6%2.5%+12.5%+28% / −9%
CIThe Cigna Group80.7 bn13.215.0%2.2%+11.2%+10% / +16%
HUMHumana Inc50.1 bn44.56.2%0.8%+10.1%+70% / −14%
CNCCentene Corporation37.6 bn26.06.8%0.7%+19.4%+93% / +3%
MOHMolina Healthcare, Inc.11.8 bn—-1.2%-0.1%+11.7%+53% / −38%
ALHCAlignment Healthcare, Inc.1.7 bn71.313.2%0.6%+46.1%−58% / +9%
TRUPTrupanion, Inc.1.5 bn74.8——+11.9%−5% / +31%
OSCROscar Health, Inc.—25.234.3%3.6%+27.5%+96% / +314%
CLOVClover Health Investments, Corp.——-5.1%-0.7%+40.3%+88% / +409%

1- and 3-year price returns: for UNH from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.

olivLaw engine forecast

The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.

Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)

Illustrative scenarios

Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.

Bear
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Base
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Bull
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Nothing is saved.

Estimated price (USD)

Estimated priceBearBaseBull
1 years
261.84
Total return -34% · Per year -34%
461.48
Total return 15% · Per year 15%
693.17
Total return 72% · Per year 72%
3 years
290.32
Total return -23% · Per year -8%
572.21
Total return 48% · Per year 14%
938.40
Total return 140% · Per year 34%
5 years
321.91
Total return -11% · Per year -2%
709.50
Total return 89% · Per year 14%
1,270.39
Total return 231% · Per year 27%
What moves the 3-year price the most
  • Exit P/E± 143.05
  • Net margin± 100.14
  • Annual revenue growth± 77.13
  • Annual dilution± 8.41

AI analysis

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 13 Oct 2026; since then the company filed 10-Q (03 Nov 2026).

In brief

UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company with total revenues of 447.6 billion USD in fiscal 2025 1, organized around two complementary businesses, Optum and UnitedHealthcare. In the third quarter of 2026 revenues were 112.7 billion USD, and the company raised its full year 2026 adjusted earnings outlook to at least 20.50 USD per share 3.

SWOT

Strengths

  • The company has a diversified position with two complementary businesses and four reportable segments, allowing it to cover several parts of the health system 1.
  • The Optum Insight order backlog and the large volume of pharmacy spending managed by Optum Rx provide revenue visibility over long periods 1.
  • In the third quarter of 2026 operating cash flow was close to net income and the medical care ratio improved, indicating stronger operational discipline 3.

Weaknesses

  • Fiscal 2025 results were hit by elevated medical costs and restructuring actions, and earnings from operations fell sharply from the prior year 1.
  • A large share of revenue depends on premiums from government programs, which leaves the company exposed to rate and regulatory changes 1.
  • The company recorded divestiture losses and loss contract reserves in its value-based care business, and these effects could continue 12.

Opportunities

  • Value-based care models and care management services could increase demand for Optum platforms if the health system keeps moving toward performance-based payment 1.
  • Initiatives to reduce prior approvals and increase pharmacy transparency could lower administrative costs and improve clinician and patient experience 3.
  • Expansion of rural, maternal and children's and behavioral health services, supported by the United Health Foundation, could open new areas of activity 3.

Threats

  • Pressure on Medicare Advantage funding and Medicaid payment rates could affect margins and membership in public programs 12.
  • Cybersecurity incidents and health data regulation could create extra costs, penalties and reputational damage 1.
  • Legislative and regulatory pressure on drug pricing and individual plans could reduce profits or the number of people served 3.

Risks

  • Estimation of medical costshigh

    The profitability of risk-based products depends on accurately estimating medical costs, and errors could materially affect financial results 1.

  • Government program fundinghigh

    Medicare Advantage and Medicaid rates could decline or fail to cover medical costs, which could compress margins 12.

  • Data securityhigh

    Cyberattacks and data breaches could disrupt operations and lead to liability and penalties 1.

  • Provider relationshipsmedium

    Difficulty negotiating contracts with care and pharmacy providers could affect operations and lead to disputes 1.

  • Restructuring and divestituresmedium

    Restructuring actions and divestiture losses could have continuing effects on results and cash flows 12.

Investment thesis

What would need to be true (bull case)

  • If the health system keeps moving toward value-based models, the Optum platforms could expand and the combination of services and coverage could support steady revenue 1.
  • Improvement in the medical care ratio and operating cost ratio in the third quarter of 2026, together with the raised outlook, could signal better execution 3.
  • If the reduction of prior approvals and process standardization take hold, administrative costs could fall and provider relations could improve 3.

What would break the thesis

  • If Medicare Advantage rate pressure persists, margins could remain compressed and membership could keep declining 12.
  • Rising medical costs and losses in value-based care businesses could reduce profits in coming periods 12.
  • Regulatory and cybersecurity risks could generate unexpected costs that reduce returns 1.

What to watch

  • Medical care ratio and operating cost trendsQ4 2026
  • Medicare Advantage membership and CMS funding trends2027
  • Progress toward the full year 2026 adjusted earnings outlook of at least 20.50 USD per shareQ4 2026

Products, market & competition

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 13 Oct 2026; since then the company filed 10-Q (03 Nov 2026).

The business

The company operates through two businesses: Optum, which provides services, data and technology to providers, payers and governments, and UnitedHealthcare, which offers health benefit plans. Its four reportable segments are Optum Health, Optum Insight, Optum Rx and UnitedHealthcare 1. From January 1, 2026, Optum Financial, including Optum Bank, was moved from Optum Health into Optum Insight 1.

Market context

The company operates primarily in the United States health market, where health care spending accounted for 19% of gross domestic product in 2025 1. The company expects spending to keep growing, driven by inflation, medical and pharmaceutical advances and regulation 1.

The commercial risk market remains highly competitive in the small group, large group and individual segments, and Medicare Advantage funding pressure has reduced membership 12. The company has pledged to rebate 2026 profits on individual ACA plans and expects Medicare Advantage membership to contract 3.

Trends

  • Medicare Advantage rate pressureheadwind

    Medicare Advantage base rates have trailed industry medical cost trends for several years, and the advance notice for 2027 was far below expectations, which could compress margins if these conditions persist 1.

  • Rising medical cost trendsheadwind

    The company has seen higher care patterns, unit costs and service intensity, and commercial cost trends were elevated partly due to the No Surprises Act independent resolution process, which could continue in future periods 12.

  • Shift to value-based paymentmixed

    Moving from fee-for-service to fully accountable value-based care creates demand for care management services and new information systems, which may offer growth opportunities for Optum 1.

  • Improved cost and pricing disciplinetailwind

    The medical care ratio in the third quarter of 2026 improved year over year on cost management, benefit design and pricing discipline, and the operating cost ratio declined, supporting earnings 3.

Competitive position

The company operates in a health insurance and pharmacy services market where competition is intense, and the analysed sources describe competitors without naming them. Pressure is most visible in the individual and employer segments, where product categories are shifting 12.

Optum competes with pharmacy services, data and care management providers, while UnitedHealthcare competes with other payers in local markets. The strategy emphasizes integrated services and value-based models that could differentiate the offering from rivals 1.

  • Other health insurance payers in local markets

    Competition in employer, individual and Medicare segments is described generically in the sources without naming specific rivals.

  • Pharmacy services and pharmacy benefit managers

    Optum Rx competes in pharmaceutical spending management, a competitive segment as described in the analysed sources.

  • Health data and technology providers

    Optum Insight competes in data, analytics and platform services; the sources do not name direct competitors.

  • Value-based care providers

    Optum Health competes with providers developing performance-based payment models, described generically in the sources.

News & filings

In the press

The latest news item in our archive is from 25 Aug 2026; the newest SEC filing is from 03 Nov 2026. The press archive comes from the RSS feeds we follow and does not necessarily cover the latest event — the filings alongside do.

SEC filings

Sources

  1. [1] Form 10-K, fiscal year ended 2025-12-31 · SEC / UNH · 02 Mar 2026
  2. [2] Form 10-Q, quarter ended 2026-06-30 · SEC / UNH · 10 Aug 2026
  3. [3] Form 8-K, results release (exhibit 99.1) · SEC / UNH · 13 Oct 2026

Figures computed by olivLaw from SEC filings and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.