UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Faces Securities Class Action After $170 Billion Shareholder Value Wiped Out

Core Viewpoint - A securities class action lawsuit has been filed against UnitedHealth Group Inc. after a significant drop in its market capitalization, amounting to approximately $170 billion, following disappointing Q1 2025 financial results and a reduction in FY 2025 guidance [1][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit, Faller v. UnitedHealth Group Inc., seeks to represent investors who purchased UnitedHealth securities between December 3, 2024, and April 16, 2025 [1][2]. - The lawsuit challenges UnitedHealth's guidance for FY 2025 net EPS, which was initially set at $28.15 to $28.65 and adjusted EPS of $29.50 to $30.00, later revised down to net EPS of $24.65 to $25.15 and adjusted EPS of $26.00 to $26.50 [3][4]. - Allegations include that UnitedHealth made false and misleading statements while failing to disclose critical information regarding its business practices, particularly in its Medicare Advantage segment [2][3]. Group 2: Market Reaction - Following the announcement of the revised guidance on April 17, 2025, UnitedHealth's share price plummeted by 22% [4]. - Analysts have suggested that the company's potential changes in corporate strategies regarding utilization management may have contributed to the drastic revision of guidance [4]. Group 3: Corporate Strategy and Public Sentiment - UnitedHealth has faced scrutiny for its corporate strategy of denying health coverage to enhance profits, which has led to regulatory and public backlash [5]. - The murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, on December 4, 2024, intensified public animosity towards the company, with many Americans expressing negative sentiments towards UnitedHealth [5]. - Despite the public outrage and changes in corporate practices, UnitedHealth continued to issue guidance that was deemed unrealistic given the evolving corporate strategies [5].