Shares of UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH) are surging 10.1% to trade at $298.71 this morning, after a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing showed that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) had purchased a stake in the company, alongside Lennar (LEN) and D.R.
Key Takeaways
Shares of recently beleaguered UnitedHealth Group (UNH) are getting a "Buffett Bounce" today.
The pain in UNH stock is over in our opinion; recent news and market action suggest strongly the bottom is in. Despite weak Q2 earnings and disappointing guidance, major investors like Buffett, Tepper, and Burry have taken or increased positions in UNH. The entry of these top investors signals strong confidence in UNH's long-term value and recovery potential.
Warren Buffett's $1.6B stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated via Berkshire Hathaway is a game-changing endorsement, shifting market sentiment and providing a strong catalyst for a narrative turnaround. Despite ongoing DOJ investigations and Medicare Advantage margin pressures, the risk/reward profile has materially improved thanks to this high-profile buy-in. Management's confidence is reflected in a 5% dividend hike and strategic exits from unprofitable contracts, though fundamental challenges remain for 2025-2026.
I'm upgrading IHF from hold to buy after a sharp selloff, citing Berkshire's $1.6B UNH stake as a bullish signal. IHF's valuation is compelling, with a P/E of 13.1x and a PEG ratio of 1.5x, offering value versus the S&P 500. Technical analysis shows IHF has hit long-term support and bounced, suggesting capitulation and a potential bottom.
Key Points in This Article: Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) revealed a new 5 million-share stake in UnitedHealth Group (UNH), valued at $1.6 billion, driving a 10% premarket stock surge.
Berkshire Hathaway's $1.57B stake in UnitedHealth is a major vote of confidence, sparking a sharp pre-market rally of over +12% after a disastrous year for the stock. UnitedHealth has gone through leadership changes, earnings cuts, and regulatory scrutiny; that's all gotten priced into the stock. Now, I see the structural strengths and margin expansion fueling UnitedHealth's recovery. I'm downgrading from strong buy to a cautious buy above $300, expecting near-term volatility, but still believe institutional buying and cost-cutting could drive a multi-leg recovery.
Even though Warren Buffett seems to think the value of UnitedHealth stock is about right, that doesn't mean investors should ignore the long list of unresolved issued facing the company.
Berkshire Hathaway initiated new positions in UnitedHealth, Nucor, and D.R. Horton, while reducing stakes in Apple and Bank of America.
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) has disclosed a substantial new investment in UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH), acquiring 5,039,564 shares last quarter at a reported average purchase price of $311.97 per share.
According to new data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, UnitedHealth Group's data breach last year affected the personal information of 192.7 million people. The company had announced an initial estimate of 190 million in January, according to a Thursday (Aug. 14) Reuters report.