UnitedHealth Group stock gains 1.83 percent as plans change for 2027

Published on 10/03/2026 at 23:22 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

UnitedHealth Group stock is valued at USD 371.90 after plans covering 390,000 members were discontinued for 2027. Second-quarter EPS beat consensus by USD 1.44.

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UnitedHealth Group stock (ISIN US91324P1021) was last at USD 371.90 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, up 1.83 percent from USD 365.20. The immediate catalyst is a Medicare Advantage reset: Bloomberg reported on October 1, 2026, that plans covering 390,000 UnitedHealth members will shut down for 2027.

Medicare plans face a reset

The decision places membership and medical costs at the center of the UnitedHealth story. UnitedHealthcare had 7.565 million Medicare Advantage members as of June 30, 2026, so the affected plans represent a measurable part of the portfolio while the company reshapes benefits and market participation.

UnitedHealthcare introduced its 2027 plans on October 1, 2026, with more than 94 percent of Medicare eligible people nationwide having access to a UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan, according to RTTNews. The contrast is clear: broader access remains a stated objective, while selected plans are being withdrawn to address profitability.

Earnings provide a counterweight

UnitedHealth reported second-quarter adjusted EPS of USD 6.38 against USD 4.94 consensus, a USD 1.44 beat, and revenue of USD 112.03 billion against USD 110.81 billion expected, according to MarketBeat. Management guided fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS to USD 19.50-20.00, giving the stock an earnings benchmark as the membership changes unfold.

MarketBeat also reported a Moderate Buy consensus from 27 research firms and an average 12-month price target of USD 456.56 on September 18, 2026. That target is 22.8 percent above the October 2 price, but the comparison depends on whether margin recovery offsets elevated medical-cost trends.

Next test arrives October 13

UnitedHealth Group is scheduled to release third-quarter results and hold its earnings call on October 13, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. ET, according to its investor-relations page. The report will give investors a fresh read on medical costs before the Medicare Advantage enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7.

Stock stays below its yearly high

UnitedHealth Group stock was last at USD 371.90 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, with volume of 3,292,808 shares. The price stood 19.4 percent below its 52-week high of USD 461.62, while the 52-week low was USD 255.97 and market capitalization was USD 337.7 billion.