As October kicks off, Wall Street is stepping into what's statistically the most rewarding quarter of the year, with seasonal optimism likely tied to year-end consumer spending and holiday sales.Data from the past three decades show strong seasonal tailwinds for equity markets from October to December. On average, the S&P 500 rose 1.52% in October, 2.62% in November and 0.93% in December.The S&P 500 — as tracked by the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSE:VOO) — delivered an average gain of 5% and a median return of ...

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group is entering a historically strong seasonal period, with October and November showing high win rates for the stock, despite a challenging 2025 marked by earnings disappointments and cost pressures [1][6]. Group 1: Stock Performance - UnitedHealth stock has risen over 11% in the past month, closing at $344 [2]. - The stock has historically strong performance in October and November, with win rates of 70% and 75% respectively [1]. - The stock experienced a significant decline in mid-2025, losing over 40% of its value from earlier highs, reaching multi-year lows [8]. Group 2: Financial Guidance and Earnings - The company suspended its full-year outlook earlier in 2025 due to rising medical costs associated with Medicare Advantage [6]. - Although guidance was reinstated, it was set significantly lower than Wall Street expectations, with adjusted EPS targets reset to at least $16 [7]. - Revenue growth remained resilient, increasing about 13% year-over-year in Q2 to approximately $111.6 billion, but operating expenses surged nearly 17%, compressing margins [7]. Group 3: Investor Sentiment - The backing of prominent investors like Warren Buffett, Michael Burry, and David Tepper supports a bullish outlook on UnitedHealth's long-term value in healthcare [3]. - The stock's recent performance and the reinstatement of guidance may indicate potential for a strong run if the company can manage costs effectively [8].