UNH Stock: The $76 Billion Shareholder Powerhouse
UnitedHealthUnitedHealth(US:UNH) Forbes·2025-10-06 13:10

Core Insights - UnitedHealth Group has returned a total of $76 billion to shareholders over the past decade through dividends and buybacks, showcasing its commitment to shareholder value despite facing challenges in 2025 [2][7] - The company has recently increased its quarterly dividend by 5% to $2.21 per share, marking the 16th consecutive year of dividend increases, yielding approximately 2.59% at current levels [3] - UnitedHealth executed $5.5 billion in share buybacks in the first half of 2025, with $3.02 billion in Q1 and $2.48 billion in Q2, and has renewed its buyback program to repurchase up to 16 million additional shares [4] Financial Performance - UnitedHealth has re-established its full-year 2025 revenue outlook at $445.5-$448.0 billion and earnings guidance of at least $14.65 per share, indicating a strong financial foundation for continued capital returns [5] - The company has demonstrated revenue growth of 9.7% over the last twelve months and an average of 11.3% over the past three years, with a free cash flow margin of nearly 6.0% and an operating margin of 7.3% [13] - UnitedHealth is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 15.3, offering lower valuation compared to the S&P while providing higher revenue growth and lower margins [13]