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What's New With Optum?

Optum is the parent company of Deerfield, Ill.-based ASC chain SCA Health, which has a portfolio of more than 320 ASCs and 9,200 physicians.

Here are five things to know about Optum's recent moves:

New investments

Optum Ventures, the venture capital arm of Optum, is participating in a $180 million funding round for Caresyntax, a data-assisted surgery platform.

Caresyntax's platform aims to tackle the significant data gaps and fragmentation that have stalled the advancement of precision surgery. The company will use the funding to fast-track the adoption and development of its AI-powered surgical software and support strategic mergers and acquisitions.

New acquisitions

SCA Health purchased at least two cardiovascular chains in 2023. One of the chains, National Cardiovascular Partners, has 21 cardiac catheterization and vascular labs, while the other chain, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.-based Pivotal Healthcare, has 11 affiliate practices and 14 locations.

In March, Optum received approval to bypass a state review of its planned purchase of physician-owned Corvallis (Ore.) Clinic, the Oregon Health Authority.

Potential ASC deals

Optum is purportedly a potential buyer of Brentwood, Tenn.-based ASC operator Surgery Partners. Surgery Partners went public in 2015 and is one of the largest ASC chains in the country, with over 192 facilities.

Private equity firm TPG is also an interested buyer, among other PE firms and strategic bidders.

Called-off deals

The company called off its plan to acquire financially troubled Steward Health Care's 1,700-physician group. In August, Steward entered into a definitive agreement to sell the group to Nashville, Tenn.-based Rural Healthcare Group, part of private equity firm Kinderhook Industries, for $245 million in cash.

Layoffs

OptumCare, based in Basking Ridge, N.J., is set to lay off 160 employees in two waves: Dec. 11 and Jan. 22.

The company has faced several rounds of layoffs and clinic closures in 2024. In July, Optum announced plans to lay off 524 employees across California and in remote positions. Earlier in April, reports surfaced on social media about layoffs affecting employees at Optum Virtual Care and Navihealth. Additionally, in May, Optum closed a Change Healthcare facility in Toledo, Ohio, resulting in 129 job losses.

OptumCare To Conduct Layoffs

OptumCare, based in Basking Ridge, N.J., is set to lay off 160 employees, according to a WARN notice posted on the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development website.

The layoffs are scheduled to occur in two waves: Dec. 11 and Jan. 22.

"We continually review the capabilities and services we offer to meet the growing and evolving needs of our businesses and the people we serve," an Optum spokesperson told Becker's. "As always, we will support affected team members with job placement resources and seek to deploy them where possible to any open roles within the company."

This comes as the company has faced several rounds of layoffs and clinic closures in 2024. In July, Optum announced plans to lay off 524 employees across California and in remote positions, with the cuts taking effect in September. Earlier in April, reports surfaced on social media about layoffs affecting employees at Optum Virtual Care and Navihealth. Additionally, in May, Optum closed a Change Healthcare facility in Toledo, Ohio, resulting in 129 job losses.

While these layoffs suggest some downsizing, they contrast with Optum's expansion in the ambulatory surgery center space.

Optum's ASC arm, Deerfield, Ill.-based SCA Health, quietly purchased at least two cardiovascular providers in 2023, National Cardiovascular Partners and Pivotal Healthcare. SCA Health has a portfolio of 320 ASCs, second only to Tenet Healthcare's ASC giant, United Surgical Partners International, which has more than 480.

In August, Bloomberg reported that Optum was exploring a potential deal to acquire a majority stake in Brentwood, Tenn.-based Surgery Partners, which oversees more than 180 facilities, including ASCs and surgical hospitals.

Although the acquisition is still in its early stages and has not been confirmed by Optum, it reflects a larger industry trend. Healthcare giants are increasingly turning to ASCs as a cost-effective solution for surgical care, as advancements in medical technology and growing patient preference fo

C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC D.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors Boosts Stake In UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)

C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.B.A. Prosperity Capital Advisors grew its position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH – Free Report) by 11.2% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.Com reports. The firm owned 2,367 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock after acquiring an additional 238 shares during the quarter. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.B.A. Prosperity Capital Advisors' holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $1,384,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bell Investment Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 525 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $276,000 after buying an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 3.2% during the first quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 35,946 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $17,783,000 after purchasing an additional 1,129 shares in the last quarter. Austin Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 9.8% during the 1st quarter. Austin Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,246 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $573,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC lifted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC now owns 9,045 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock worth $4,475,000 after buying an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Collective Family Office LLC grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 4.3% during the first quarter. Collective Family Office LLC now owns 1,577 shares of the healthcare conglomerate's stock valued at $780,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.86% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group

In other news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 2,851 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $569.88, for a total value of $1,624,727.88. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 29,501 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $16,812,029.88. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 2,851 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $569.88, for a total transaction of $1,624,727.88. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 29,501 shares of the company's stock, valued at $16,812,029.88. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,500 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $579.03, for a total value of $868,545.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,785 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,507,748.55. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Want More Great Investing Ideas? A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Truist Financial increased their price target on UnitedHealth Group from $600.00 to $640.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Argus raised their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $570.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $546.00 to $601.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $595.00 to $615.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $560.00 to $604.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $614.17.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on UNH

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

Shares of UNH opened at $591.22 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.88. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $436.38 and a 1 year high of $607.94. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $582.68 and a 200-day moving average of $529.13. The company has a market cap of $545.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.58.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.80 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.66 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $98.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $98.73 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.66% and a return on equity of 26.55%. UnitedHealth Group's revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $6.14 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.69 earnings per share for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th were paid a dividend of $2.10 per share. This represents a $8.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 16th. UnitedHealth Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 51.34%.

About UnitedHealth Group

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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