UNH Guidance Shock Sends Shares Tumbling, CEO Promises 2026 Upswing
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Sign with UNH.
That outlook trails the FactSet consensus of $20.64 and falls beneath investor expectations of $18.00$20.00. Still, comments on 2026 projections helped avert a steeper selloff: UnitedHealth forecasts a return to earnings growth next year.
Stephen Hemsley, who took the reins as CEO after Andrew Witty's departure, told analysts he anticipates solid to moderate EPS gains in 2026, with growth accelerating in 2027 and beyond.
For Q2, UnitedHealth reported adjusted EPS of $4.08 versus the $4.48 consensus, and revenue of $111.6 billion, just above the $111.5 billion estimate. Executives pointed to pricing errors in managed?care plans, where medical costs outpaced projections, as the main drag on guidance this year.
Investors will watch upcoming updates on cost controls and capital allocation as the company works to restore confidence and rebuild its market value.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
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