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Stockchase Opinions

Mary FarrellUnitedHealth Group IncUNHTOP PICKJul 16, 2004

Likes the recent merger with Oxford. Have been cost-cutting. Have a lot of potential with new products down the road. Potential for 20% earnings gain.
$65.64

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$405.55

As of Jun 11, 2026. Market Open.

medical services
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DON'T BUY

Won't touch this group, including Humana, which is in a massive reset.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Apr 14/23, Up 3%)

The stock has been flat, but at current share prices he's been adding. UNH is the giant of US healthcare. Now is a great entry point. Trades at 18x PE. Can deliver 8-10% topline growth and around 8-9% bottom line. They have a great track record. They participate in Medicare Advantage with a 20% market share.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Owns shares in company. Usually weakness in shares before US election with worries of healthcare changes. Would recommend holding. 

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Curated by Allan Tong since 2019.
99+ opinions with 4.15 rating.

TOP PICK

American healthcare

As noted, 2023 was unkind to healthcare stocks, but UNH shed only 1%, thanks to a rebound in Q4. UNH remains America's biggest health insurer. It beat its last four quarters, trades at a safe 0.62 beta as well as a 22.85x PE, which is historically in-line. Earlier in 2023, the stock took a hit when the company noted that post-Covid the U.S. was seeing a rebound in elective surgeries, which would increase medical costs and cut into UNH's margins. However, this is a passing concern. View UNH in the long-term. Its shares have climbed 144% in five years and the projectory has been largely up, though the last two years have been bumpy. As we exit post-Covid, Wall Street expect UNH to resume its climb. Analysts signal 20 buys, one overweight, five holds and one sell with a price target of $594.61, nearly 13% higher than its last close of $526.47. Go long on UNH.

BUY

The health sector is poised to rally after a rough year. UNH is a good company though he prefers Humana.

BUY

His largest position. A quality, defensive names that benefits from employment growth. Also, what will the weight-loss drug do for them? Smart managers. A permanent compounder.

COMMENT
A big gainer in Q3

Rallied 5% in Q3. Had come back after Covid and good for them, but he prefers Humana (he owns).

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sep 08/22, Down 7%)

Likes the diversified business model. Leader. Decent valuation at 19x forward PE, with 12% earnings growth. Past year has seen a rotation out of managed care into more exciting pharma names. Stable revenues, downturn-resilient. Aging US demographics will benefit.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Very well manged company - best in sector.
Does not own shares.
Investing in other areas in healthcare sector.
Share price falling on concerns for pricing power.
Good long term investment. 

BUY

Likes their fundamentals as well as the healthcare sector, a sector which has been rallying.

BUY

Likes it, with the economy opening up and the company securing some price increases. Not a home run stock. You're looking at returns of 10-15% per annum.

DON'T BUY

He owns many healthcare names including UHN, but isn't excited about these names because they have lost momentum. Their CFO has warned of higher costs, which has lowered the bar a today. Earnings beat today, yes, but the bar is very low.

BUY

A core holding. It performed well, though down 8% this year. Revenue is up 13%, though costs up 16%. Their medical ratio is at 83% vs. 81% last year, but in line with the street. Shares are jumping today on earnings.

BUY

Shares are down 9% YTD, but is rallying 8% today on strong earnings. Has always liked this stalwart in healthcare.

TOP PICK

Massive insurance company with very strong business.
Mostly benefiting from secular growth.
16% compounding rate in earnings. 
Current share price presenting great opportunity to buy.
Excellent long term hold.