UNH Returns $76B to Shareholders, Stock Up 12% in Month
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is making waves in the stock market today. The company, with a P/E ratio of 15.3, has returned the 29th highest total to shareholders in history. UNH's revenue growth is impressive at 9.7% LTM and 11.3% over the last 3 years, with a free cash flow margin of nearly 6.0% and an operating margin of 7.3% LTM.
UNH's stock has seen a 12% gain over the past month, despite a year-to-date decline of -29%. The company's board recently approved a 5% dividend increase, marking the 16th consecutive year of increases. Over the past decade, UNH has returned a staggering $76 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.
In the first half of 2025 alone, UNH executed $5.5 billion in share repurchases, including $3.02 billion in Q1 and $2.48 billion in Q2. The company has also re-established its full-year 2025 revenue outlook at $445.5-$448.0 billion and earnings guidance of at least $14.65 per share.
While UNH's recent performance is commendable, it's important to note that the company is not immune to significant declines, having dropped 72% during the Global Financial Crisis and 42% during the Dot-Com bust. The total capital returned to shareholders as a percentage of the current market cap may inversely correlate with growth potential for reinvestments. Nevertheless, UNH's strong financial performance and commitment to shareholder returns make it a notable player in the yahoo finance market.
