Barclays Maintains an 'Overweight' on UnitedHealth Group (UNH); 3Q Earnings Positive, but Cautious 2012 Tone Confounds Market

Barclays maintains an 'Overweight' on UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) price target raised $1 to $60.00.

Barclays analyst says, "We are increasing our EPS estimate for 2011 along with our price target, though lowering our 2012 EPS estimate, which we believe is a conservative starting point. UnitedHealth continues to run ahead of 2011 projections, and we believe the company will likely continue to outperform in 4Q11. As a reminder, last November the company guided toward 2011 EPS in the range of $3.50-$3.70, and is now guiding to a range that implies an 83-cent improvement over the original guidance. Our new 2011 estimate is at the high end of that new guidance of $4.40-$4.45. After accounting for a number of headwinds and tailwinds for 2012, we estimate 2012 EPS of $4.60, representing 3% growth y/y."

For more ratings news on UnitedHealth Group click here and for the rating history of UnitedHealth Group click here.

Shares of UnitedHealth Group closed at $45.34 yesterday.

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