UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. The Optum Health segment provides care delivery, care management, wellness and consumer engagement, and health financial services patients, consumers, care delivery systems, providers, employers, payers, and public-sector entities. The Optum Insight segment offers software and information products, advisory consulting arrangements, and managed services outsourcing contracts to hospital systems, physicians, health plans, governments, life sciences companies, and other organizations. The Optum Rx segment provides pharmacy care services and programs, including retail network contracting, home delivery, specialty and community health pharmacy services, infusion, and purchasing and clinical capabilities, as well as develops programs in the areas of step therapy, formulary management, drug adherence, and disease/drug therapy management. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated was founded in 1974 and is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

The U.S. health insurance industry, referred to as Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), is capitalizing on strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and technological innovation to expand its market presence, diversify offerings and enhance competitiveness. The Federal Reserve’s projected interest rate cuts for 2026 are expected to lower borrowing costs, encouraging more M&A activity without heavily drawing on internal reserves. On the downside, medical expenses are rising due to the return of deferred care, increased chronic disease management and surging costs of specialty drugs like biologics and cancer therapies. These pressures, coupled with an aging population and higher chronic illness rates, are compressing profit margins and straining the Health Benefit Ratio (HBR). Compounding the challenges is a national shortage of nurses and healthcare professionals, which is impacting hospital operations. Despite these hurdles, companies like UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH, Humana Inc. HUM and Centene Corporation CNC appear well-placed to counter industry headwinds.
About the Industry
The Zacks HMO industry consists of entities (either private or public) that take care of subscribers’ basic and supplemental health services. Companies in this space primarily assume risks and assign premiums to health and medical insurance policies. Industry participants also provide administrative and managed-care services for self-funded insurance. Services are generally offered by a network of approved care providers (called in-network), which include primary care physicians, clinical facilities, hospitals and specialists. However, out-of-network exceptions are made during emergencies or when necessary. Health insurance plans can be availed through private purchases, social insurance or social welfare programs.
4 Trends Defining the HMO Industry's Future
Rising Medical Expenses: Healthcare costs for U.S. health insurers are climbing due to multiple factors. The resurgence of previously postponed medical care, routine screenings and chronic disease management has led to increased healthcare utilization and a surge in insurance claims. Additionally, the cost of prescription drugs continues to escalate sharply. Demographic trends, including an aging population, and a growing incidence of chronic illnesses like obesity-related diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are further intensifying long-term cost pressures. These dynamics have strained the Health Benefit Ratio (a key profitability metric for insurers), thereby compressing profit margins.
Regulatory Challenges: Health insurers in the domestic market are navigating a period of heightened regulatory uncertainty. Legislative proposals such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act seek to reduce federal Medicaid funding, introduce work requirements and tighten eligibility verification, measures that could lower coverage levels and compress reimbursement rates for both providers and insurers. At the same time, Medicare Advantage payment rate adjustments and potential reductions in required coverage under the ACA are creating uncertainty. Health insurers are especially vulnerable, as reduced Medicaid and Medicare payments can push already thin margins into the red. Additionally, reductions in ACA subsidies may depress enrollment in marketplace plans. Given that commercial insurance products typically deliver higher margins than Medicaid or ACA plans, insurers are increasingly prioritizing the expansion of their commercial portfolios. That said, the anticipated Medicare Advantage rate increases in 2026 may provide some margin support.
Scarcity of Healthcare Professionals: The ongoing nationwide shortage of nurses and other healthcare professionals continues to strain hospital operations, especially as patient volumes rise. Key factors driving this crisis include an aging nursing workforce, widespread burnout and unequal workforce distribution. HMOs collaborate with hospitals, physicians and other providers to deliver cost-effective care to their members. The quality and reliability of these services are essential for maintaining customer satisfaction and renewing health plans. However, a reduced nursing workforce can compromise the ability of hospitals to deliver high-quality care, ultimately impacting customer retention and the reputation of HMO companies.
Strategic Emphasis on Mergers and Acquisitions: In addition to leveraging technological advancements, HMOs frequently engage in M&A to enhance their capabilities, penetrate new markets, strengthen their foothold in existing regions, grow their customer base and reinforce their national presence. These strategic moves also foster diversification, enabling firms to maintain a competitive edge. With the Federal Reserve announcing three interest rate cuts for 2025 and signaling further reductions in 2026, borrowing costs are expected to ease. This more favorable interest rate environment will likely encourage M&A activity by allowing industry players to secure financing more affordably, minimizing the need to deplete internal cash reserves.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bearish Outlook
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all member stocks, indicates tepid near-term prospects. The Zacks Medical-HMOs industry is housed within the broader Zacks Medical sector. It currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #212, which places it in the bottom 12% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one. The industry’s positioning in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of the negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate.
Despite the dismal scenario, we will present a few stocks that one can retain, given their solid growth endeavors. But before that, it is worth looking at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and the valuation picture.
Industry Underperforms S&P 500, Sector
The Zacks Medical-HMO industry has declined 25.8% in the past year against the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s 2.4% growth. The Zacks Medical sector rallied 14.3% in the same time frame.
One-Year Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Industry's Current Valuation
On the basis of the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which is commonly used for valuing medical stocks, the industry is trading at 16.04X compared with the S&P 500’s 23.35X and the sector’s 20.92X.
In the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 19.57X and as low as 11.58X, the median being 16.2X, as the chart below shows.
Forward 12-Month Price/Earnings (P/E) Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
3 Stocks to Watch
We present three stocks from the space with a current Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Considering the present industry scenario, it might be prudent for investors to retain these stocks in their portfolios, as these are well-placed to generate growth in the long haul.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
UnitedHealth Group: Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group’s revenues are driven by strong performances from UnitedHealthcare and Optum. The UnitedHealthcare segment benefits from effective Medicare and Medicaid offerings, integrating affordable and attractive features that expand membership and boost premium income. This has led to multiple contract wins for the company. Optum's growth is fueled by acquisitions, advanced technology and data-driven care models. Strategic M&A and telehealth investments further enhance UNH’s nationwide reach and service efficiency.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth Group’s 2025 earnings is pegged at $16.29 per share. The consensus mark for revenues implies 11.9% growth from the year-ago figure. UNH’s earnings beat estimates in two of the last four quarters and missed the mark twice, the average negative surprise being 2.25%.
Price & Consensus: UNH
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Humana: Headquartered in Kentucky, Humana has maintained steady growth fueled by rising premiums and an expanding membership base. The strong performance of these plans has secured the company multiple new contracts with state agencies. Through its CenterWell brand, Humana continues to focus on meeting the healthcare needs of the nation’s senior population. Over the years, the company has also pursued strategic acquisitions, which have broadened its revenue streams.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Humana’s 2025 earnings is pegged at $17.08 per share, indicating a 5.4% rise from the 2024 figure. The consensus mark for 2025 revenues implies 10% growth from the 2024 figure. HUM’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed the mark once, the average being 7.54%.
Price & Consensus: HUM
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Centene: Headquartered in Missouri, Centene’s revenue growth is driven by strong performance in its Medicare and Medicaid businesses, contributing to increased contract wins and expanding membership. The ongoing preference for Medicare Advantage plans among the aging U.S. population continues to fuel consistent demand for Centene’s Medicare offerings. The company pursues an inorganic growth strategy, utilizing strategic acquisitions and partnerships with healthcare providers to broaden its capabilities.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Centene’s 2025 earnings is pegged at $2.00 per share. The consensus mark for 2025 revenues implies 18.5% growth from the 2024 figure. CNC’s earnings outpaced estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed the mark once, the average being 75.18%.
Price & Consensus: CNC
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They include
Stock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and Resilience
Stock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the Dip
Stock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the Market
Stock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for Growth
Stock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to Spring
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%.
Download Atomic Opportunity: Nuclear Energy's Comeback free today.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 HMO Stocks in Focus Despite Rising Medical Costs, Regulatory Pressures

Key Points
Together, these stocks offer you a balanced mix of growth and safety.
These companies span a number of industries, and many are leaders in their markets.
Overall, the past three years have been positive for investors, with the S&P 500 bull market going strong. The famous benchmark advanced more than 20% in each of the past two years, and today it's heading for yet another double-digit annual gain. Technology stocks have fueled this movement as artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as the next major game changer, and investors also piled into growth stocks across industries on optimism about lower interest rates.
It's impossible to predict with 100% certainty which direction the S&P 500 will take next year, but there's reason to be optimistic about its performance then and over time; history shows us that bull markets usually last much longer than bear markets.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
With all of this in mind, let's check out my top 10 stocks to buy for 2026. They offer you a balanced blend of characteristics, from growth and innovation to safety and passive income.
<img>
1. Nvidia
Let's start with a company that has significantly driven market gains during this AI boom: Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), the world's leading AI chip designer. This tech giant has seen earnings soar, and this movement may have much farther to go, as this technology is in the early chapters of its story.
Nvidia's positioned to benefit greatly from AI infrastructure spending, which may reach into the trillions of dollars over the next five years. And, over time, AI models will continue to rely on chips to power them through their job of applying AI to real-world problems. All of this suggests many bright days ahead for Nvidia and its shareholders.
2. Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) already has seen earnings take off thanks to its weight loss drug portfolio. Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and as Zepbound for weight loss, has delivered blockbuster revenue -- and has helped Lilly's total revenue climb in the double-digits.
Recently, Lilly delivered solid phase 3 results for its oral weight loss candidate -- orforglipron -- and regulatory review of that candidate is the next step. All of this means orforglipron soon may reach commercialization and boost Lilly's already booming weight loss portfolio.
This makes right now an excellent time to get in on this pharma player that offers you safety and growth.
3. American Express
American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a giant in the payment card market, generally serving high-income customers. Its membership base makes the company a solid investment during any economic environment, because high-income individuals continue spending regardless of the economic situation -- and this has resulted in steady earnings growth for American Express over time.
In recent quarters, American Express has spoken of growth in younger customers -- Millennials and Gen-Z made up 64% of new accounts in the latest quarter. This suggests the payments powerhouse is well-positioned for more growth in the years to come.
4. CoreWeave
CoreWeave (NASDAQ: CRWV) exploded onto the scene this year, climbing more than 300% from its market launch in March through June. The stock has since dropped from that high -- and it now has plenty of room to run.
This company offers AI customers what they need most today, and likely into the future, and that's capacity for workloads. CoreWeave rents out its fleet of high-powered chips, and this could drive the company's already surging revenue higher in 2026 -- and beyond. So, now is a great time to get in on this AI growth player.
5. Viking Therapeutics
Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) aims to enter the billion-dollar weight loss drug market, and so far, the company is marching steadily toward that goal. Viking's injectable candidate is involved in phase 3 trials, and its oral candidate is involved in phase 2 -- both have delivered promising results so far.
Though Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk dominate the market right now, demand is high, suggesting there's room for others to carve out share here. Viking, with candidates that function in the same way as the Lilly and Novo drugs, could emerge as a new winner in this market in a few years -- so it's a wise idea to get in on this story early.
6. Meta Platforms
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), trading for 26x forward earnings estimates, is the cheapest of the Magnificent Seven tech stocks that have led market gains. That's one reason to buy the stock now.
And I have two more reasons: Meta is a well-established company with earnings growth you can count on, and it also offers you a top AI bet. Meta is committed to investing in AI and using it to supercharge revenue in the years to come. The company already has gotten started, building its own large language model and virtual assistant, for example. But much more should be on the horizon, making this an exciting and cheap growth stock to buy now.
7. Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) is a Dividend King, meaning it's raised its dividend payments for more than 50 consecutive years. This shows the company's commitment to dividend growth, and Abbott's strong free cash flow suggests it has what it takes to keep this on track, too.
I also like Abbott because of its diversification across businesses -- medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition, and established pharmaceuticals. This broad range of operations is positive because, if and when one faces headwinds, others may compensate. On top of this, Abbott sells industry-leading products, such as the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitor and Ensure nutrition drinks. All of this makes it a solid healthcare stock to buy and hold.
8. UnitedHealth
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), the biggest U.S. health insurer, has faced various headwinds in recent quarters -- including the rising costs of healthcare. But the company has taken note of the issues that have weighed on earnings and is addressing them.
The efforts -- such as cutting certain plans and using AI to gain in efficiency -- already are bearing fruit, with the company recently increasing its guidance for full-year earnings. Meanwhile, the stock, considering UnitedHealth's industry leadership and long-term prospects, looks cheap at 20x forward earnings estimates. So if you're looking for a promising recovery story for 2026, UnitedHealth may be it.
9. Chewy
Chewy (NYSE: CHWY) is the best friend of cats, dogs, and goldfish -- and you might take a liking to this company too. That's because this e-commerce player selling pet food, toys, healthcare, and more has a loyal following of customers, and this has led to steady growth.
The key number I always point out is Chewy's AutoShip sales -- this program allows for the automatic reordering of your favorite products according to a schedule you choose. AutoShip sales account for more than 80% of Chewy's net sales, offering us visibility on sales to come. Chewy also is profitable and debt-free, two other reasons to like this consumer goods stock.
10. Amazon
Finally, if you aim to invest in an established market giant that also offers you outstanding growth potential, consider Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN). The e-commerce and cloud computing titan has an established track record of growth and billion-dollar profit – but it's not stopping there and instead is set to win in the high-potential area of AI.
AI already has helped Amazon Web Services (AWS) reach a $132 billion annual revenue run rate, and AI has been favoring efficiency across Amazon's e-commerce business. Moving forward, AI could continue to supercharge growth in both of these businesses, making the stock look reasonably priced now at 32x forward earnings estimates.
And that's why Amazon is a top tech stock to buy and hold for 2026 and beyond.
Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now?
Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nvidia wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $507,421!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,109,138!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 972% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 195% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of December 8, 2025
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Adria Cimino has positions in Amazon and American Express. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Abbott Laboratories, Amazon, Chewy, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Novo Nordisk, UnitedHealth Group, and Viking Therapeutics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

My Top 10 Stocks to Buy for 2026

In early trading on Friday, shares of Nike topped the list of the day's best performing Dow Jones Industrial Average components, trading up 1.4%. Year to date, Nike has lost about 9.2% of its value.
And the worst performing Dow component thus far on the day is Microsoft, trading down 0.8%. Microsoft is showing a gain of 13.8% looking at the year to date performance.
Two other components making moves today are Goldman Sachs Group, trading down 0.4%, and UnitedHealth Group, trading up 1.4% on the day.
VIDEO: Dow Movers: MSFT, NKE
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Dow Movers: MSFT, NKE

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) on Thursday closed up by +0.21%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up by +1.34%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed down by -0.35%. December E-mini S&P futures (ESZ25) rose +0.23%, and December E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQZ25) fell -0.33%.
Stock indexes settled mixed on Thursday, with the S&P 500 posting a 6-week high and the Dow Jones Industrials climbing to a new all-time high. The broader market found underlying support on Thursday after bond yields moved lower amid a jump in weekly jobless claims, which is dovish for Fed policy. Also, managed healthcare stocks staged a rally on Thursday, a supportive factor for the overall market, and Visa shares surged more than +6% to boost the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.
However, the Nasdaq 100 fell to a 1-week low due to a sell-off in Oracle, which is viewed as a bellwether of the AI investment boom. Oracle tumbled more than 10% on Thursday, leading AI-infrastructure shares lower, after reporting Q2 cloud sales that missed estimates and raising its 2026 capital spending outlook by $15 billion to $50 billion. Oracle’s results reignited worries about tech valuations and whether the capital outlays on AI infrastructure will pay off.
US weekly initial unemployment claims rose by +44,000 to a 3-month high of 236,000, showing a weaker labor market than expectations of 220,000.
The US Sep trade deficit unexpectedly shrank to -$52.8 billion versus expectations of a widening to -$63.1 billion and the smallest deficit in 5.25 years.
The markets are discounting a 24% chance that the FOMC will cut the fed funds target range by 25 bp at the January 27-28 FOMC meeting.
Q3 corporate earnings season is drawing to a close as 496 of the 500 S&P companies have released results. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, 83% of reporting S&P 500 companies exceeded forecasts, on course for the best quarter since 2021. Q3 earnings rose +14.6%, more than doubling expectations of +7.2% y/y.
Overseas stock markets settled mixed on Thursday. The Euro Stoxx 50 rallied to a 4-week high and closed up +0.80%. China’s Shanghai Composite closed down -0.70%. Japan’s Nikkei Stock 225 closed down -0.90%.
Interest Rates
March 10-year T-notes (ZNH6) on Thursday closed up by +7.5 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield fell -0.6 bp to 4.141%. T-notes found support on Thursday on positive carryover from Wednesday when the FOMC cut its 2025 and 2026 US core PCE price estimates, and Fed Chair Powell said that he doesn't think a rate hike is anybody's base case for the Fed's next policy move. T-notes held their gains after weekly jobless claims unexpectedly rose to a 3-month high, a dovish factor for Fed policy. Decent demand for the Treasury’s $22 billion auction of 30-year T-bonds was also positive for T-notes as the auction had a bid-to-cover ratio of 2.36, right on the 10-auction average.
European government bond yields are moving lower today. The 10-year German bund yield fell -0.7 bp to 2.843%. The 10-year UK gilt yield fell -2.2 bp to 4.484%.
Swaps are discounting a 1% chance for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at its next policy meeting on December 18.
US Stock Movers
Cruise line operators moved higher on Thursday. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) closed up more than +7% to lead gainers in the S&P 500. Also, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) closed up more than +6%, and Carnival (CCL) closed up more than +5%
Managed healthcare stocks rallied on Thursday. Elevance Health (ELV) closed up more than +5%, and Centene (CNC) and Molina Healthcare (MOH) closed up more than +4%. Also, Humana (HUM) and Cigna Group (CI) closed up more than +3%. In addition, HCA Healthcare (HCA) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) closed up more than +2%.
Fertilizer stocks rose on Thursday after Ukraine said its drones attacked two fertilizer plants in western Russia. Mosaic (MOS) closed up more than +6%, and Intrepid Potash (IPI) closed up more than +5%. Also, CF Industries Holdings (CF) closed up more than +2%.
Chip makers retreated on Thursday, weighing on the Nasdaq 100. ARM Holdings Plc (ARM), Intel (INTC), and Marvell Technology (MRVL) closed down more than -3%. Also, Nvidia (NVDA), Broadcom (AVGO), Applied Materials (AMAT), GlobalFoundries (GFS), and Micron Technology (MU) closed down more than -1%.
Oracle (ORCL) closed down more than -10% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q2 adjusted revenue of $16.06 billion, below the consensus of $16.21 billion, and raising its 2026 capital spending outlook by $15 billion to $50 billion.
Oxford Industries (OXM) closed down more than -21% after cutting its 2026 adjusted EPS forecast to $2.20-$2.40 from a previous estimate of $2.80-$3.20, well below the consensus of $2.91.
Lovesac Co (LOVE) closed down more than -8% after cutting its 2026 net sales forecast to $685 million-$705 million from a previous forecast of $710 million-$740 million, weaker than the consensus of $713.7 million.
Stellantis NV (STLA) closed down more than -3% after BNP Paribas Exane downgraded the stock to underperform from neutral.
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) closed down more than -1% after Citigroup downgraded the stock to neutral from buy.
Gemini Space Station Inc (GEMI) closed up more than +31% after the company’s application for a derivatives exchange was approved by the Commodity Futures Exchange Commission.
Ciena Corp (CIEN) closed up more than +8% after reporting Q4 revenue of $1.35 billion, better than the consensus of $1.29 billion.
Visa (V) closed up more than +6% to lead gainers in the Dow Jones Industrials after Bank of America Global Research upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $382.
Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) closed up more than +2% after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on the stock with a buy recommendation and a price target of $120.
West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) closed up more than +1% after Nephron Research LLC upgraded the stock to buy from hold with a price target of $367.
Earnings Reports(12/12/2025)
Johnson Outdoors Inc (JOUT), SR Bancorp Inc (SRBK), Value Line Inc (VALU).
On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Most Stocks Recover from Oracle Sell-Off

Looking at options trading activity among components of the Russell 3000 index, there is noteworthy activity today in UnitedHealth Group Inc (Symbol: UNH), where a total volume of 145,115 contracts has been traded thus far today, a contract volume which is representative of approximately 14.5 million underlying shares (given that every 1 contract represents 100 underlying shares). That number works out to 200.8% of UNH's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 7.2 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $420 strike put option expiring December 19, 2025, with 7,298 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 729,800 underlying shares of UNH. Below is a chart showing UNH's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $420 strike highlighted in orange:
Par Technology Corp. (Symbol: PAR) saw options trading volume of 11,693 contracts, representing approximately 1.2 million underlying shares or approximately 177.3% of PAR's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 659,505 shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $70 strike call option expiring April 17, 2026, with 3,530 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 353,000 underlying shares of PAR. Below is a chart showing PAR's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $70 strike highlighted in orange:
And RH (Symbol: RH) saw options trading volume of 13,949 contracts, representing approximately 1.4 million underlying shares or approximately 157.9% of RH's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 883,285 shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $112 strike put option expiring December 12, 2025, with 822 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 82,200 underlying shares of RH. Below is a chart showing RH's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $112 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for UNH options, PAR options, or RH options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Also see:
Top Ten Hedge Funds Holding KMX
CPSS Insider Buying
GRTX Insider Buying
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy Thursday Option Activity: UNH, PAR, RH

Key Points
Warren Buffett has delivered Berkshire Hathaway shareholders market-beating returns over almost 60 years.
He’s done this by sticking to his well-defined investing principles.
Investors generally are unanimous about the following: Warren Buffett is an investor to watch during any market environment. This is because the billionaire has delivered a track record of success that spans nearly 60 years. As chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has helped generate a compounded annual gain of nearly 20%. This largely beats the S&P 500's 10% compounded increase over that time period.
Buffett is now approaching retirement, with plans to hand over his CEO role to Greg Abel, currently the company's vice-chairman of non-insurance operations, at the end of the year. But this expert investor has remained active in his final months and quarters of leadership. And that means we can take a look at what Buffett's latest portfolio moves say about the market...
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
Good news for Buffett fans
First, though, here's some good news for all of you Buffett-watchers: Buffett still will be around as chairman, will go into the Berkshire Hathaway office to share ideas with the team, and he's promised to continue communications through an annual Thanksgiving message. So we may hear about Buffett's thoughts on key subjects well into the future.
Now, let's consider Buffett's general investment strategy over time and the moves he's made in recent quarters. Buffett is known for choosing quality companies with solid competitive advantages, or moats, and investing in them for the long term. The billionaire won't jump into the latest trend even if everyone else is doing so -- and even if it's delivering big returns fast. Buffett prefers companies he can count on over time, and this strategy has been a successful one.
One extremely important point is that Buffett favors value stocks, meaning he aims to buy stocks trading for less than what they truly are worth. The idea is that the rest of the investment community eventually will recognize the strengths of these particular companies and buy the shares -- and these stocks then will rise.
So, what has Buffett been doing lately? The billionaire's moves have been very clear: Over the past 12 quarters, he's been a net seller of stocks, and he's built up Berkshire Hathaway's cash position to reach record levels.
Meanwhile, in his 2024 letter to shareholders, Buffett wrote that it's rare to be "knee-deep" in buying opportunities.
Buffett's moves suggest one thing...
This, along with Buffett's focus on value, says something very clear about the market today -- and a key market metric supports this. The S&P 500 Shiller CAPE ratio, a view of stock price in relation to earnings over 10 years, recently reached beyond 39, a level it's only surpassed once before.
Buffett's actions, supported by this valuation metric, suggest the stock market is expensive and has been so for a while. But, before you make any abrupt investing decisions based on this, it's important to take a deeper look into Buffett's moves. The Oracle of Omaha, as he's often called, hasn't stopped investing. He's still found opportunities -- for example, he picked up shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter and shares of Alphabet in the third quarter.
Both of these stocks were inexpensive at the time, and they continue to be reasonably priced. This shows us that, even if the overall stock market is pricey, investors still may find interesting opportunities.
Now, looking specifically at the Alphabet purchase, we can draw an additional conclusion. Though technology and artificial intelligence (AI) stocks have climbed over the past few years, this doesn't mean that every AI player is expensive. It's important to consider each company individually -- if you don't, you might miss out on a deal today that may become a winner down the road.
So, Buffett's moves over the past several quarters -- from his selling activity to his accumulation of cash -- suggest that today's market is expensive. And the Shiller CAPE ratio confirms this. But Buffett doesn't recommend staying away. Instead, his investing principles ring true in any market environment, including today's: Look for value, and when you find it, buy and hold for the long term.
Should you invest $1,000 in S&P 500 Index right now?
Before you buy stock in S&P 500 Index, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and S&P 500 Index wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $521,550!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,133,904!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 981% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of December 8, 2025
Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

What Warren Buffett's Latest Portfolio Moves Say About the Market

UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH is quietly transforming its business playbook, pushing against the usual ways of delivering care and insurance. By merging insurance coverage with health services and cutting-edge technology, UNH is crafting a model that prioritizes efficiency, data-driven choices and proactive care management, setting it apart from competitors.
A key part of UNH’s strategy is the growing presence of Optum in pharmacy services, care delivery and analytics. By blending clinical insights with insurance operations, the company is moving beyond traditional coverage models and embracing a more proactive, value-driven approach. This integration enables UNH to provide more tailored and efficient solutions for both its members and providers, strengthening its competitive advantage.
Technology plays a crucial role in this transformation. The company is increasingly deploying AI, predictive analytics and digital tools to make the claims process smoother, cut down on administrative waste and boost member engagement. These tech-driven advancements not only help cut costs but also provide valuable insights for managing chronic conditions, optimizing care pathways and improving the overall quality of healthcare.
Despite facing challenges like regulatory scrutiny and rising medical costs, the company is committed to prioritizing member satisfaction. This focus puts it in a strong position to sustain growth and shape the future of healthcare delivery. In the first nine months of 2025, UNH’s total revenues grew 11.6% year over year, with 6.6% growth at Optum and 15% growth at UnitedHealthcare.
How Are Competitors Faring?
Some of UNH’s major competitors in the healthcare service provider space are Elevance Health, Inc. ELV and Humana Inc. HUM.
Through Carelon, Elevance Health is bringing together analytics, behavioral health and coordinated care models to boost outcomes and cut down on costs. ELV’s total revenues increased 13.5% year over year in the first nine months of 2025.
Humana focuses on using AI to improve patient experience, enhance care quality and achieve better health outcomes while ensuring human involvement in any clinical decision-making process. HUM’s CenterWell segment’s revenues rose 11.5% year over year in the first nine months of 2025.
UnitedHealth’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of UNH have declined 36% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s fall of 30.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, UnitedHealth trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.5, above the industry average of 15.2. UNH carries a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UnitedHealth’s 2025 earnings is pegged at $16.29 per share, implying a 41.1% drop from the year-ago period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks Naming Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Want to be tipped off early to our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2026? History suggests their performance could be sensational.
From 2012 (when our Director of Research Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Now Sheraz is combing through 4,400 companies to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold in 2026. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these stocks when they’re released on January 5.
Be First to New Top 10 Stocks >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Behind the Curtain: How UnitedHealth is Rewriting its Own Rules

Key Points
UnitedHealth Group stock is trading at an attractive price-to-earnings ratio right now.
UnitedHealth's management has a solid plan to improve profit margins.
I love buying beaten-down stocks when they're bottoming out -- particularly when I know it's just a matter of time before they bounce back. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I grabbed shares of both Delta Air Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruises when they were trading for pennies on the dollar because I knew they would both rebound when travel restrictions lifted and vacations were possible once again. I held both stocks for two years and more than doubled my investment in both.
Looking at the market today, one name that I can put in a similar category is healthcare giant UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). The primary difference I see compared to Delta and Royal Caribbean is that those travel stocks were victims of circumstance, while UnitedHealth Group's stock suffered this year because the company made some bad decisions.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
But either way, I feel really confident that UNH stock will rebound in 2026. Considering the stock also has a strong dividend yield of 2.5%, I'll strongly consider picking up shares when I rebalance my portfolio at the end of the year.
About UnitedHealth Group stock
UnitedHealth Group is a Minnesota-based managed care company that generates revenue by offering Medicare and Medicaid supplemental plans, including Medicare Advantage, as well as health insurance plans for individuals and businesses. The company is the largest managed care company in the U.S., boasting roughly 23% of the market share. CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) at 19.9% and Cigna Group (NYSE: CI) at 13.5% are the only other two companies with a market share of more than 10%.
Share prices are trading down about 35% so far this year, with much of the drop happening after UnitedHealth Group's shockingly bad first-quarter earnings report, in which it missed analysts' expectations for the first time since 2008. The stock's performance this year is far worse than either CVS, which also has a robust retail business, or Cigna.
But in today's what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world, I'm more focused on the short-term performance. Over the last three months, UNH stock has actually outperformed its competitors, suggesting that the company has hit bottom -- and the recovery has yet to begin in earnest.
Why I'm confident in a UnitedHealth Group rebound
The biggest problems facing UNH are solvable; they just require time. Management acknowledged that it had badly misjudged how much it would be charged for services by hospitals and doctors when setting 2025 customer premiums. When it realized its mistake, it adjusted its 2025 full-year guidance to note an increase in medical costs by $6.5 billion. It also raised 2026 premiums.
However, that doesn't really help things this year. As much as UNH can try to cut costs, it's unable to achieve the profit margin this year that it had expected due to that mistake. Management announced that it plans to rectify the problem in 2026 and 2027 by adjusting its Medicare Advantage bids and working with Medicare so it can expect a target margin range between 2% and 4%. It's also planning to drop some Medicare Advantage plans and will consider exiting some commercial markets if it can't negotiate the rates that it wants.
Earnings in the third quarter showed revenue of $113.2 billion, up 12% from last year. But earnings of $4.3 billion were down sharply from the $8.7 billion that UnitedHealth Group achieved in Q3 2024, and the margin dropped to 2.1% from 6%.
In short, UnitedHealth Group is generating more revenue, but its inflated costs are eroding its profits. That's what UNH needs to fix in 2026.
"We remain focused on strengthening performance and positioning for durable and accelerating growth in 2026 and beyond, and our results this quarter reflect solid execution toward that goal," CEO Stephen Hemsley said in a release.
UnitedHealth Group is a stock that pays you back
That brings us to one of the best reasons to have UnitedHealth Group stock -- the dividend yield of 2.25%, or $2.21 per share. That's significantly better than the average yield in the healthcare sector, which is only 1.6%.
Healthcare companies are some of the best places to find reliable dividends because they are established, stable companies, rather than being in hypergrowth mode like many tech stocks. Even with UnitedHealth Group's falling margins, the stock's payout ratio is only 50%, so I'm comfortable knowing that it won't go away. In fact, UnitedHealth Group has increased its dividend annually for the last 16 years.
As the stock price increases in 2026 -- as I fully expect it will after UnitedHealth Group addresses its profit margin problem -- you can expect the dividend yield to decrease. But the quarterly payout remains the same, with another likely increase to come, meaning that you'll have extra money to reinvest in your portfolio or to use elsewhere.
UnitedHealth Group is far from the perfect stock, but it is an appealing buy because it can learn from its errors and negotiate better prices in 2026 and 2027. The current price-to-earnings ratio of 17.2 indicates that the stock is a huge bargain right now, trading below its five-year P/E mean of 25.2.
The market will show UNH stock some love when those margins improve, but buying now means getting in at a lower price and enjoying the ride higher. And that's always a fun trip for any investor.
Should you invest $1,000 in UnitedHealth Group right now?
Before you buy stock in UnitedHealth Group, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and UnitedHealth Group wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $521,982!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,137,459!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 981% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.
*Stock Advisor returns as of December 8, 2025
Patrick Sanders has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends CVS Health, Delta Air Lines, and UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Meet the 2.5% Yield Dividend Stock That Could Soar in 2026

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Vanguard Russell 1000 Value (Symbol: VONV) where we have detected an approximate $525.7 million dollar outflow -- that's a 3.6% decrease week over week (from 161,103,299 to 155,378,299). Among the largest underlying components of VONV, in trading today UnitedHealth Group Inc (Symbol: UNH) is trading flat, Chevron Corporation (Symbol: CVX) is up about 0.2%, and Wells Fargo & Co (Symbol: WFC) is lower by about 0.4%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the VONV Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of VONV, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, VONV's low point in its 52 week range is $71.684 per share, with $92.79 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $91.99. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Free Report: Top 8%+ Dividends (paid monthly)
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Also see:
VTV Options Chain
Top Ten Hedge Funds Holding PBR
BRK.A shares outstanding history
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Notable ETF Outflow Detected - VONV, UNH, CVX, WFC

In the latest trading session, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) closed at $323.62, marking a -2.2% move from the previous day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.35% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.45%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.14%.
Shares of the largest U.S. health insurer have appreciated by 2.07% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Medical sector's gain of 5.67%, and outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.2%.
Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of UnitedHealth Group in its upcoming earnings disclosure. On that day, UnitedHealth Group is projected to report earnings of $2.07 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 69.6%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $113.53 billion, up 12.62% from the year-ago period.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $16.29 per share and a revenue of $447.97 billion, representing changes of -41.11% and +11.91%, respectively, from the prior year.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for UnitedHealth Group. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0.13% downward. UnitedHealth Group presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Valuation is also important, so investors should note that UnitedHealth Group has a Forward P/E ratio of 20.32 right now. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 13.6.
It is also worth noting that UNH currently has a PEG ratio of 2.16. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The Medical - HMOs was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.28 at yesterday's closing price.
The Medical - HMOs industry is part of the Medical sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 202, positioning it in the bottom 19% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.
Zacks Naming Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Want to be tipped off early to our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2026? History suggests their performance could be sensational.
From 2012 (when our Director of Research Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Now Sheraz is combing through 4,400 companies to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold in 2026. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these stocks when they’re released on January 5.
Be First to New Top 10 Stocks >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.