Stocks Considered 'Quality' by This Money Manager: Microsoft, Broadcom, Lilly, and More

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

UNH-0.06%

AVGO-1.92%

STZ-0.44%

Source: Barron's

Updated: Dec 11 2025

0mins

Source: Barron's

Market Performance of Quality Stocks: The current market has not favored quality stocks, which are typically blue-chip companies with stable profits and low debt.
GMO's Outperformance: Funds managed by Tom Hancock at GMO have consistently outperformed both other quality portfolios and the broader market.

UNH

$354.275+Infinity%1D

Analyst Views on UNH

Wall Street analysts forecast UNH stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for UNH is 397.82 USD with a low forecast of 330.00 USD and a high forecast of 444.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.

19 Analyst Rating

16 Buy

3 Hold

0 Sell

Strong Buy

Current: 354.470

Low

330.00

Averages

397.82

High

444.00

Current: 354.470

Low

330.00

Averages

397.82

High

444.00

Bernstein

Lance Wilkes

Outperform

maintain

$440 -> $444

2026-01-06

Reason

Bernstein

Lance Wilkes

Price Target

$440 -> $444

AI Analysis

2026-01-06

maintain

Outperform

Reason

Bernstein analyst Lance Wilkes raised the firm's price target on UnitedHealth to $444 from $440 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm sees a sector turnaround in the government managed care organization sector beginning in 2026, but expects to see bumps in the recovery. Bernstein believes all MCO sectors present attractive entry points, with Medicare Advantage likely to see the nearest term earnings improvements and Medicaid representing the most attractive valuations.

Evercore ISI

Elizabeth Anderson

Outperform

initiated

$400

2026-01-06

Reason

Evercore ISI

Elizabeth Anderson

Price Target

$400

2026-01-06

initiated

Outperform

Reason

Evercore ISI analyst Elizabeth Anderson initiated coverage of UnitedHealth with an Outperform rating and $400 price target, which offers 20% upside. The firm believes the company's turnaround will be successful. UnitedHealth's 2026 will be a transition year, with 2027 and 2028 likely to show significant improvement, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Evercore sees upside to estimates and the stock's multiple in 2027 as UnitedHealth's "execution story becomes increasingly visible."

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Barclays

Andrew Mok

Overweight

maintain

$386 -> $391

2026-01-05

Reason

Barclays

Andrew Mok

Price Target

$386 -> $391

2026-01-05

maintain

Overweight

Reason

Barclays analyst Andrew Mok raised the firm's price target on UnitedHealth to $391 from $386 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm sees managed care stocks benefiting in 2026 from the prospects of margin expansion and rotation away from artificial intelligence-related stocks toward "de-rated underperformers."

TD Cowen

Hold

maintain

$335 -> $338

2025-10-30

Reason

TD Cowen

Price Target

$335 -> $338

2025-10-30

maintain

Hold

Reason

TD Cowen raised the firm's price target on UnitedHealth to $338 from $335 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares. The firm updated its model as Q3 results checked a lot of boxes; adjusted EPS beat, FY25 guide raise, tax rate/investment income inline. They raise the target but keep the P/E target unchanged.

About UNH

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is a healthcare and well-being company. Its segments include Optum Health, Optum Insight, Optum Rx, and UnitedHealthcare, which includes UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement and UnitedHealthcare Community & State. Optum Health offers comprehensive and patient-centered care, addressing the physical, mental, social, and financial well-being. Optum Health delivers primary, specialty and surgical care; helps patients and providers navigate and address complex, chronic and behavioral health needs. Optum Insight connects the healthcare system with services, analytics and platforms that make clinical, administrative and financial processes simpler and more efficient for all participants in the healthcare system. Optum Rx offers a range of pharmacy care services through retail pharmacies, through home delivery, specialty and community health pharmacies and the provision of in-home and community-based infusion services.

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.