Bio-Techne and UnitedHealth Options Trading Activity Surges
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 10 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CNC?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Bio-Techne Options Volume: Bio-Techne Corp (Ticker: TECH) has seen an options trading volume of 15,116 contracts today, equating to approximately 1.5 million shares, which represents a significant 62.4% of its average daily trading volume over the past month of 2.4 million shares.
- High Volume Contracts: Notably, the $60 strike call option for TECH has recorded a high volume of 5,055 contracts traded today, representing around 505,500 underlying shares, indicating strong market interest at this price level.
- UnitedHealth Options Activity: UnitedHealth Group Inc (Ticker: UNH) has reported an options trading volume of 39,170 contracts today, translating to approximately 3.9 million shares, which is about 47.5% of its average daily trading volume over the past month of 8.3 million shares, reflecting investor focus on its future performance.
- Key Contract Insights: The $300 strike call option for UNH has seen a trading volume of 2,172 contracts today, representing approximately 217,200 shares, suggesting bullish expectations in the market, potentially linked to anticipated future earnings performance.
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Analyst Views on CNC
Wall Street analysts forecast CNC stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
8 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 37.550
Low
32.00
Averages
43.07
High
59.00
Current: 37.550
Low
32.00
Averages
43.07
High
59.00
About CNC
Centene Corporation is a healthcare company. It provides access to quality healthcare; programs and a range of health solutions that help families and individuals get well. Its segments include Medicaid, Medicare, Commercial and Other. The Medicaid segment includes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, Medicaid Expansion programs, the Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) program, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), Foster Care, Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMP), which cover beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare and other state-based programs. The Medicare segment includes Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. The Commercial segment includes the Health Insurance Marketplace product along with individual, small group, and large group commercial health insurance products.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Earnings Release Schedule: Centene Corporation will release its Q1 2026 financial results at 6:00 a.m. ET on April 28, 2026, followed by a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET to provide investors with a detailed review of its financial performance, enhancing transparency.
- Participation Details: Investors can join the call by dialing 1-877-883-0383 (toll-free) in the U.S. and Canada or +1-412-902-6506 (toll) from abroad, with the Elite Entry Number 0526805 to expedite registration and ensure smooth participation.
- Webcast Replay: A replay of the webcast will be available on the company's website shortly after the call, accessible for 12 months until 11:59 p.m. ET on April 27, 2027, allowing investors who missed the live event to catch up on important information.
- Digital Audio Playback: Additionally, digital audio playback will be available until 9 a.m. ET on May 5, 2026, with access via 1-855-669-9658 (toll-free in North America) or +1-412-317-0088 (toll from abroad) using access code 2041356, ensuring investors can stay updated on the latest financial information.
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- Earnings Release Schedule: Centene Corporation will release its Q1 2026 financial results on April 28, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. ET, followed by a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the results, demonstrating the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Conference Call Access: Investors can join the call by dialing 1-877-883-0383 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or +1-412-902-6506 from abroad, with the Elite Entry Number 0526805 to expedite registration, reflecting the company's efforts to enhance investor experience.
- Webcast Replay Availability: A replay of the conference call will be available on Centene's website for 12 months post-call, ensuring that investors unable to attend live can still access critical information, thereby improving information accessibility.
- Company Overview: Centene is a Fortune 500 company focused on providing high-quality, cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, serving over 1 in 15 individuals nationwide, highlighting its significant role and influence in the healthcare sector.
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- Market Fluctuations: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.08%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.18%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index increased by 0.04%, indicating a cautious market response amid rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions.
- Oil Price Impact: Crude oil prices surged to a four-week high due to escalating tensions with Iran, leading to declines in airline and cruise line stocks, with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean all dropping over 3%.
- Economic Data: February's non-defense capital goods new orders rose by 0.6% month-over-month, surpassing the expected 0.5%, indicating an improvement in capital spending, although consumer credit growth fell short of expectations, potentially affecting consumer confidence.
- Fed Policy Expectations: The market is pricing in only a 3% chance of a 25 basis point rate hike at the Fed's April meeting, reflecting investor caution regarding future monetary policy, especially in light of rising oil prices that could drive inflation.
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- Payment Growth Expectations: The government now anticipates a 2.48% increase in Medicare payments for 2027, a significant rise from the previously projected 0.09%, which directly influences insurers' pricing strategies and profit margins, potentially leading to a reevaluation of related stocks.
- Strong Stock Reactions: Following the announcement, Alignment Healthcare's stock surged by 12.5%, Humana rose by 11%, and UnitedHealth increased by 7.8%, while Elevance and Centene saw gains of 6.7% and 4.3%, respectively, reflecting investor optimism about future profitability.
- Market Sentiment Shift: This update has shifted investor expectations for the Medicare sector, which had been bracing for a tighter environment, and the new data provides insurers with more operational breathing room, potentially fostering overall industry recovery.
- Fundamental Disparities: Despite the positive market sentiment, fundamental performance varies across the sector, with quantitative scores indicating that some companies still face challenges, prompting investors to carefully assess each company's financial health.
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- Medicare Payment Rate Increase: The government unexpectedly raised payment rates for Medicare Advantage plans, increasing the federal funds received per patient by insurance companies, which is projected to enhance profit margins for major providers like UnitedHealth and Humana.
- Alignment Healthcare Stock Surge: Alignment Healthcare (NASDAQ:ALHC) shares jumped 18.7%, reflecting a strong market reaction to the company's outlook, with 26 moves greater than 5% in the past year indicating significant market perception shifts due to this news.
- Market Rally: The increase in Medicare payment rates boosted overall market confidence, leading to significant gains in major indices like the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average, which in turn spurred widespread buying activity in major healthcare stocks.
- Investment Return Analysis: Alignment Healthcare has risen 9.3% since the beginning of the year, trading at $22.11, close to its 52-week high of $23.81 from January 2026, with a five-year investment of $1,000 now worth $1,016, demonstrating its long-term investment value.
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- Market Decline: The S&P 500 Index fell by 0.90%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 0.76%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index decreased by 1.40%, reflecting investor concerns over geopolitical tensions, particularly the potential escalation of conflict between Iran and the US.
- Oil Price Surge: Crude oil prices rose over 3% to a four-week high as the market watches for Iran's response to a ceasefire deadline tonight, with failure to reach an agreement potentially leading to broader military conflict and impacting global energy supplies.
- Positive Economic Data: Despite the overall market downturn, February's non-defense capital goods new orders increased by 0.6% month-over-month, surpassing expectations of 0.5%, indicating resilience in US capital spending that could support future market stability.
- Bond Market Reaction: The 10-year Treasury note yield rose to 4.357% as rising oil prices boosted inflation expectations, while the market's diminished outlook for a Fed rate hike reflects investor caution regarding future economic policies.
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