What Sparked UNH Stock Crash?

Forbes

27-05-2025

CANADA - 2025/04/06: In this photo illustration, the UnitedHealth Group logo is seen displayed on a ... More smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
UnitedHealth Group's stock has dropped a lot, over 50% since April. But, what caused this big fall? It all started last year when the company highlighted growing medical costs and predicted adjusted earnings of $30 per share for 2025. However, in December 2024, a tragic shooting in Manhattan led to the death of Brian Thompson, the CEO of the company's medical insurance division. This event fueled public anger toward medical insurance companies and brought existing frustrations with the U.S. healthcare system to a head. Soon after, UNH's stock fell sharply from over $600 to under $500.
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In January 2025, the company reported its fourth-quarter results and stood by its 2025 earnings forecast of $29.50 to $30.00 per share. But by the first quarter of 2025, things worsened, and UnitedHealth Group lowered its full-year earnings outlook to $24.65 to $25.15 per share. A major sign of the company's struggles was the unusual decision announced earlier this month to pull its financial outlook for the entire year, which worried investors and made them question if the company could even reach the $25 estimate given in April.
The main reason for these difficulties is the sharp increase in medical costs. After the pandemic, more people started using healthcare services they had put off. This caused UNH's Medical Benefits Ratio—the percentage of premiums spent on medical claims—to jump from 82% in 2022 to 85.5% in 2024. As a result, their net profit margins fell from 6.2% to 3.6% in the same period because they couldn't raise prices fast enough to cover the rising expenses. In addition, see – Buy or Sell UNH Stock.
To make matters worse, CEO Andrew Witty's sudden departure earlier this month unsettled investors, especially at a time when stable leadership was crucial. UnitedHealth Group brought back Stephen Hemsley, who was CEO from 2006 to 2017, but the market didn't react well, seeing it as a sign of panic rather than a smooth transition.
Adding to the problems, reports of a criminal investigation into Medicare fraud involving UnitedHealth Group emerged. Medicare accounts for a large portion of the company's revenue and growth—a quarter of their total revenues last year. If fraud charges are proven, it could lead to penalties and restrictions on their business, causing investors to sell off their shares.
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