UnitedHealth Stock News

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE: UNH ) has endured a brutal 2025, with shares down approximately 35% year-to-date.

UnitedHealth Group released the first results from a sprawling independent audit of its business practices and committed to a wide range of steps to track and implement improvements in three specific areas. The health-care giant said it has adopted 23 ongoing "action plans" to track and implement recommended improvements, all of which will be completed by the end of March next year.

UnitedHealth said on Friday that audits by outside consulting firms of its health services and pharmacy benefit units would result in operational changes including more automation and increased standardization of internal processes.

UnitedHealth Group has had a tumultuous year, marred by poor performance and controversy. Eli Lilly has thrived as it's taken control of the obesity drug market.

One of these players is known for its long track record of dividend growth. The other company is a market giant that's faced tough times -- but it looks like a promising recovery story is just ahead.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has stabilized after recent headwinds, with profits recovering, and the foundation set for renewed growth. UNH's Q4 2025 dividend was raised 5.2% year-over-year, signaling management's confidence despite prior profit pressures. Consensus projects a -41% EPS decline in FY 2025, but a robust 14.1% CAGR EPS recovery over the next five years is expected.

UnitedHealth has shown considerable rally potential, with several instances of gains exceeding 30% within two months recorded in crucial years 2010, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025. Importantly, it achieved rallies of over 50% on two occasions in 2020 and 2025.

UnitedHealth is well positioned for a potential recovery after two challenging years marked by cyberattacks, leadership turnover, and ongoing regulatory investigations. All major negative news appears priced in, and management guides for a transition year in 2026 with double-digit growth targeted from 2027 onward. UNH's industry-leading scale and diversified healthcare operations create a durab...