UnitedHealth Group Stock Just Hit a 5-Year Low. 5 Things Investors Need to Know.

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group has experienced significant stock decline despite being a leader in the health insurance and pharmacy benefits management sectors, with shares dropping over 50% from late 2024 peak levels [1] Financial Guidance - UnitedHealth Group recently withdrew its 2025 financial guidance, initially projecting net earnings of $24.65 to $25.15 per share and adjusted earnings of $26 to $26.50 per share, reflecting a modest year-over-year decline of around 5% [2][3] - The company cited higher-than-expected medical expenditures, particularly for new Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, as a reason for the weaker outlook, although it anticipates a return to growth in 2026 [3] Leadership Changes - The abrupt departure of CEO Andrew Witty for personal reasons coincided with the announcement of the suspended 2025 outlook [4] - Stephen J. Hemsley has been appointed as the new CEO, effective immediately, while also continuing as chairman of the board [5] Regulatory Scrutiny - The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly investigating UnitedHealth Group for potential Medicare fraud, following earlier disclosures about the investigation into the company's Medicare billing practices [6] - UnitedHealth Group has denied being notified of any criminal investigation and defended the integrity of its Medicare Advantage program [7] PBM Challenges - UnitedHealth Group's Optum Rx pharmacy benefits management business faces pressure from political initiatives aimed at eliminating PBMs, as stated by President Trump [9] - In Q1 2025, Optum Rx generated over $13.9 billion in revenue, accounting for nearly 13% of UnitedHealth Group's total revenue, and contributed $1.3 billion in earnings before income taxes, representing 16% of the company's total [9] Market Sentiment - Despite recent challenges, Wall Street analysts remain largely bullish on UnitedHealth Group, with 22 out of 27 analysts rating the stock as a "buy" or "strong buy" [10][11] - The average 12-month price target suggests an upside potential of approximately 47% [11] - Concerns about leadership changes and regulatory investigations are viewed as manageable, with the stock trading at 11.5 times forward earnings, indicating a potential buying opportunity for aggressive investors [12][13]