Among the Dow Jones Industrial Average's 30 time-tested components, there are two inexpensive industry leaders that can deliver for patient investors, as well as a highflier that may struggle to justify its premium valuation.It was another historic year for Wall Street's premier health barometer, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI +0.99%). The iconic index rose 13% last year and came within a stone's throw of eclipsing 49,000.In the 129 years since its inception, the Dow Jones has evolved from an indust ...

The company is a powerhouse in its sector, and has weathered numerous challenges recently.This is the time of year when market professionals and investors alike pore over lists of top analyst stock picks. One big company that appeared in such a lineup was UnitedHealth (UNH +2.03%), and in the process, its shares received a price target boost. That helped lift the stock by 2% on Tuesday. A healthy adjustmentThe UnitedHealth bull in this case is Bernstein SocGen's Lance Wilkes. Tuesday morning before market o ...

A new report from Hunterbrook Media investigates how the three biggest health care giants in the U.S.— CVS Health Corp. (NASDAQ:CVS) , UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (NYSE:UNH) and Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) — are allegedly using shell companies to hide billions of dollars that Hunterbrook says should be used to lower drug prices for patients.UNH stock is moving. See the chart and price action here. Benzinga reached out to CVS, Cigna and UnitedHealth for comment. CVS declined to comment, while Cigna and UnitedHealth d ...

格隆汇1月6日｜据英国天空新闻，美国私募股权公司TPG接近收购联合健康的Optum英国业务，交易价 值在12亿英镑至14亿英镑之间。知情人士称，该交易可能在未来几周内宣布，但尚未最终敲定，仍有可 能破裂。报道称，TPG可能会寻求将Optum UK与Nextech合并，后者是一家总部位于美国的电子病历软 件供应商。 ...

U.S. private equity firm TPG is close to acquiring UnitedHealth's Optum UK business, in a deal worth between 1.2 billion pounds ($1.62 billion) and 1.4 billion pounds, Sky News reported on Tuesday. ...

Core Insights - Spending on executive protection is increasing, indicating a growing concern for safety among high-profile individuals and companies [1] Group 1: Spending Trends - The rise in spending on executive protection includes not only traditional services like bodyguards and trained drivers but also a broader range of security measures [1] - Companies are investing in advanced technologies and services to enhance the safety of their executives, reflecting a shift in the approach to personal security [1] Group 2: Industry Implications - The increase in demand for executive protection services is likely to drive growth in the security industry, creating new opportunities for service providers [1] - As threats evolve, the industry may see a diversification of services offered, moving beyond physical protection to include cybersecurity and risk management solutions [1]

Key Takeaways UNH shares fell 34.5% over a year amid cost pressures, utilization issues and multiple earnings misses.UNH faces a projected 69.3% Q4 EPS drop even as revenue is expected to rise 12.7% year over year.UnitedHealth's MCR has surged to nearly 90%, squeezing margins ahead of key 2026 guidance.Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) have had a brutal year. The stock has fallen 34.5% over the past year, lagging the industry’s 28.4% decline and standing in sharp contrast to the S&P 500 Index’ ...

Sustainable Growth Advisers (SGA), an investment management company, released its third-quarter investor letter for its “Global Growth Strategy.” A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The portfolio returned -2.3% (Gross) and -2.5% (Net) in the third quarter, compared to a 7.6% return for the MSCI ACWI and a 9.0% return for the MSCI ACWI Growth. The index returns were fueled by enthusiasm for AI, whereas factors aligned with SGA’s strategy, like quality and sales stability, lagged. SGA’s investment ob ...

Core Insights - The stock market has shown strong performance in 2025, with major indices reaching record highs, indicating Wall Street's potential for wealth creation [1][2] Group 1: Visa - Visa has a strong track record, with shares climbing in 13 of the last 15 years, and only two declines of 0.3% and 3.3% in 2021 and 2022 respectively [4] - The company's performance is closely tied to economic growth, benefiting from increased consumer and business spending [5] - Visa's focus on payment facilitation rather than lending allows it to avoid capital set-asides for loan losses, enabling quicker recovery during economic downturns [6] Group 2: The Trade Desk - The Trade Desk is positioned for recovery in 2026, with midterm elections expected to boost ad spending [7] - The company's Unified ID 2.0 technology is gaining traction, which could enhance its pricing power and sustain double-digit sales growth [8] - Shares are currently valued at 18 times forward earnings, presenting a bargain compared to previous expectations of 20% to 40% annual sales growth [9] Group 3: Meta Platforms - Meta Platforms remains fundamentally attractive despite high market valuations, with its apps attracting an average of 3.54 billion daily users [11][12] - The introduction of generative AI solutions is expected to enhance ad pricing power and improve click-through rates [13] Group 4: UnitedHealth Group - UnitedHealth Group faced challenges in 2025 but has historically risen in 22 of the last 26 years [16] - The company is exiting unprofitable markets and plans to increase healthcare premiums, which should enhance its pricing power [17] - The Optum subsidiary is expected to rebound, potentially making UnitedHealth a top performer in 2026 [18] Group 5: Sirius XM Holdings - Sirius XM operates as a legal monopoly in satellite radio, generating over 75% of its revenue from subscriptions, which provides predictable cash flow [20][21] - The company has a forward P/E ratio of less than 7, representing a 46% discount to its five-year average [22][23] Group 6: BioMarin Pharmaceutical - BioMarin focuses on ultrarare-disease therapies, with its drug Voxzogo expected to exceed $1 billion in sales this year [25][26] - The company is streamlining operations and is projected to achieve mid-to-high single-digit sales growth in 2026 [27] Group 7: NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy has generated positive returns for investors in 21 of the last 24 years, benefiting from stable electricity demand [29] - The company leads in renewable energy capacity, which has reduced generation costs and supported high-single-digit EPS growth [30][31] Group 8: Okta - Okta provides essential cybersecurity services, with demand expected to grow as cyber threats persist [33][34] - The company's subscription backlog increased to nearly $4.3 billion, reflecting strong growth potential [35] Group 9: York Water - York Water is positioned for significant revenue growth if its proposed rate increase is approved, potentially increasing annual revenue by 32% [37][38] - The company has a long history of dividend payments, enhancing its appeal as a stable investment [39] Group 10: O'Reilly Automotive - O'Reilly Automotive has advanced in 21 of the last 23 years, benefiting from the increasing age of vehicles on the road [41] - The company's share-repurchase program has positively impacted its EPS, making it attractive to value investors [43]

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group is experiencing a challenging period, with its stock down approximately 34% year-to-date, but it remains a prominent player in the health insurance sector [1][2]. Group 1: Current Business Situation - UnitedHealth is undergoing a transition, with a current price-to-earnings ratio of 17, making it relatively cheap after its recent decline [2]. - The company suspended its profit forecast in May 2025 due to rising costs from increased doctor visits and surgeries, leading to higher-than-expected insurance claims [5]. - The upcoming financial report on January 27 is crucial for clarifying the company's profitability and long-term growth prospects [6][4]. Group 2: Key Financial Metrics to Watch - Investors should focus on the 2026 financial guidance, particularly projections for earnings per share (EPS), medical care ratio (MCR), and operating margin [7]. - The adjusted EPS for 2025 is projected to be at least $16.25, and any 2026 projection slightly above this figure should be approached with caution [8]. - The MCR ideally should be in the mid-80% range, while a good operating margin benchmark is around 4%, although achieving this may require price increases that could attract scrutiny [10]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - It is advised not to purchase UnitedHealth shares before the January 27 report, but if the results are favorable, the current valuation may present a significant opportunity for long-term investors [11].