UnitedHealth Stock Up 12.7% YTD: Is its Premium Valuation Justified?

Shares of the major healthcare plan provider UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) have gained 12.7% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the industry’s growth of 8.7%. Peers such as Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) and Humana Inc. (HUM) have experienced steep declines of 13.7% and 38.2%, respectively, during this time.The S&P 500 Index has surged 25.9% over the same period, highlighting the stark divergence in performance. UNH stock is down 6% at this point from its 52-week high of $630.73.UNH’s YTD Price ...