UnitedHealth Stock Climbs as Barclays Boosts Price Target to $352

Barclays Lifts UnitedHealth Price Target

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), the largest U.S. health insurer, just received a price target hike from Barclays. Analyst Andrew Mok raised the target to $352 from $337 while maintaining an Overweight rating. The new target suggests a 13.4% upside potential from current levels.

The stock has gained 18.9% since July 29, when the company reported Q2 earnings, showing resilience after a volatile quarter.

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Why Barclays Is Bullish on UNH

Mok’s positive outlook reflects a recovery across the managed care and healthcare facilities sector. He believes valuations have bottomed out, creating more room for growth as investor sentiment improves.

Several upcoming policy events could be catalysts for UNH and peers:

• Federal Budget Debate (September 2025): Lawmakers will decide on health spending allocations.
• Medicare Advantage & ACA Pricing Updates: The government’s final 2025 rates will set insurer pricing levels.
• New Medicare Advantage Star Ratings: Updated plan quality scores will affect reimbursements for the 2027 coverage year.

Mok highlighted UnitedHealth (UNH) and CVS Health (CVS) as the two strongest names positioned to benefit from these developments.

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Policy Risks Still on the Radar

Despite the bullish case, Mok cautioned that Medicare pricing risks remain a concern. Since Medicare plays a critical role in UnitedHealth’s business, any adverse policy changes could weigh on the stock.

Still, he believes UnitedHealth’s strong fundamentals and diversified business model put it in a favorable position as the sector outlook improves.

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Wall Street’s Take on UNH Stock

Wall Street analysts remain broadly positive on UnitedHealth:

• Consensus Rating: Strong Buy
• Breakdown: 17 Buys, 2 Holds, 1 Sell (last three months)
• Average Price Target: $315.70 → implying a 1.71% upside from current levels

Barclays’ raised target suggests the market may be underestimating UnitedHealth’s near-term upside potential.

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Barclays is Bullish on UnitedHealth

UnitedHealth’s stock has regained momentum, and Barclays’ higher price target signals confidence in the insurer’s growth outlook. While policy risks remain, analysts expect continued upside as Medicare decisions, budget debates, and sector sentiment shape the healthcare landscape.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, not financial advice.