UnitedHealth (UNH) Stock Is Up 39% in 6 Months: Is There Still More to Come?

TLDR

• UNH stock is up more than 20% year-to-date and 39% over the past six months
• Medical care ratio improved to 85.3% from 87.1% a year earlier, with medical costs down 2% to $148.8 billion
• 2026 EPS estimate stands at $19.82, reflecting 21% year-over-year growth
• Wall Street holds a Strong Buy consensus with an average price target of $481.67, implying 21% upside
• UnitedHealthcare is cutting 30% of remaining prior authorization requirements

UNH stock currently trades around $397, up more than 20% year-to-date and roughly 39% over the past six months. That run has outpaced the S&P 500’s 12% gain over the same stretch.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, UNH

The recovery is being driven by easing medical cost pressures. In the first half of 2026, UnitedHealth’s medical care ratio dropped to 85.3% from 87.1% a year earlier. Total medical costs fell 2% to $148.8 billion.

The company has also been pulling back from lower-return businesses. UNH is exiting certain Medicare Advantage and Optum Health markets to cut losses and redirect capital toward more profitable areas.

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