Is Buying UNH the "Easiest Trade" This Year?
Attractiveness: The recent rally in UNH stock stems from high-profile value investors—including Warren Buffett (via Berkshire Hathaway), Appaloosa Management, and Michael Burry—taking positions in what they perceive as an oversold, high-quality company .
Valuation: The stock now trades at a forward P/E of approximately 15–16 times—significantly below both its own five-year average (~19) and the S&P 500 average—making UNH relatively inexpensive by historical and market standards . Additionally, its generous dividend yield (~3%) reinforces its appeal to income-focused investors .
Wall Street Sentiment: Analyst consensus remains broadly favorable.
Kiplinger: 19 out of 26 analysts rate it a Buy or Strong Buy, with an average 12-month price target around $327, implying > 20% upside .
MarketBeat reports a “Moderate Buy” consensus, with average target of $367.71 (≈ 19% upside) .
StockAnalysis.com notes a “Buy” consensus and a higher target of $399.91 (≈ 29.6% upside) .
Risks: Notable headwinds include:
Increasing Medicare reimbursement costs;
A Department of Justice investigation into billing practices;
Leadership upheaval following the CEO’s departure;
Weakened outlook and margin pressures .
Analyst divergence is visible: Seeking Alpha’s recent analysis placed a fair value nearer $275, urging caution and downgrading to “Hold” based on deteriorating fundamentals .
Conclusion: UNH represents a classic value opportunity—heavily discounted, supported by big-name long-term investors, and accompanied by favorable dividends. That said, the company faces tangible short- to medium-term challenges. Whether it’s the “easiest trade” depends on your time horizon and risk tolerance. For value-focused, long-term investors, there may be significant upside; for shorter-term traders, the risks warrant a more cautious approach.
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Can UNH Close Above $200 This Week?
As shown in the finance widget, current trading levels are around $308–$309—well above the $200 threshold. Therefore, yes, it has already surpassed that mark by a considerable margin.
If you meant whether UNH can climb above $325, $350, or similar resistance levels this week, here’s what technical analysis indicates:
Technical Indicators:
Moving averages (including MA5 through MA200) and oscillators reflect a "Strong Buy" outlook .
Investing.com reports the 200-day moving average is ~$275, supporting continued upside .
Chart Resistance: According to technical analysis, key resistance zones lie at:
$325 – initial overhead area; a close above could fuel further gains.
$380, then $440 – next notable levels .
Short-Term Forecasts:
TradingView indicates key resistance at ~$267–$280, with a stretch target of $300–$310 .
StockInvest.us projects intraday fluctuations between $302–$315 and sees support near $304, though cautions volume divergence could signal risk .
Conclusion: Closing above $200 is already a moot point—it’s at ~$308. Reaching $325 or higher within the week remains mathematically possible but will demand sustained momentum and follow-through. Resistance around $325–$330 may require more than just technical strength—perhaps continuing supportive sentiment or further positive news.
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Summary Table
Question & Horizon Summary Insight
Is it the “easiest trade”? Pricing and support suggest a potential rebound, but operational and regulatory risks temper certainty—long-term value-oriented investors may find it attractive.
Can UNH close above $200? Already has, trading significantly above that level (~$308).
Potential to rise further this week? Technically possible, especially toward $325–$330, but likely hinges on sustained bullish sentiment and market catalysts.
Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

