The Balance Sheet Behind the PromiseNarrow moat

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) — moat facet

UnitedHealth carries $72 billion of long-term debt and $110 billion of goodwill, and in 2025 its return on capital fell to 9.7%.

UnitedHealth's balance sheet reflects two businesses at once: an insurer holding other people's money, and an acquirer that borrowed to build Optum. Medical costs payable were $39,337 million at the end of 20251. Long-term debt was $72,320 million, goodwill $110,499 million, and total equity $100,090 million2.

Debt-to-capital (%)43.9%Dec 202443.9%Dec 202541.2%Jun 202640.0%TargetUnitedHealth Group FY2025 and Q2 2026 results releases
Approaching the target.

The debt is above the company's own target. Debt-to-capital was 43.9% at the end of 2025 against a long-term target of 40.0%3, and 41.2% in June 20264. Net interest-bearing debt was about $50.3 billion at the end of 2025 and about $41.9 billion in June 20265.

Returns have fallen. Return on invested capital was between 13.6% and 18.2% every year from 2015 to 2023, then 15.4% in 2024 and 9.7% in 20256. The company's reported return on equity went from 27.0% in 2023 to 12.8% in 20257.

The strengths are real. Cash flow recovered to $19,964 million in the first half of 20268, the dividend has risen for 16 years9, and the float gives liquidity.

The company also borrows regularly to refinance. In June 2025 it issued $3.0 billion of notes with coupons from 4.400% to 5.950%, due from 2028 to 205510. Total equity was $100,090 million at the end of 2025, of which $94,110 million belonged to UnitedHealth's shareholders11.

The deleveraging is already visible. Debt-to-capital was 44.1% at 30 June 2025 and 41.2% a year later12, and net interest-bearing debt was about half of total equity at the end of 202513. The company continues to target a long-term ratio of 40.0%14, so most of the way back has been travelled.

This is a narrow advantage: a strong balance sheet for an insurer, stretched by the purchases that built Optum. Debt-to-capital is the figure to follow: reaching the 40% target in 2026 would restore room to act; rising again would mean the company is borrowing through the recovery.

Moat trajectory: Holding steady

Debt-to-capital 41.2% in June 2026 against the 40% target.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Debt-to-capital ratio, latest quarter
41.2% (June 2026) vs 44.1%

Leverage against the 40% target; a rise would mean the recovery is being funded by borrowing.

Source: UnitedHealth Group Q2 2026 results release ↗
Aspects of the moat
DIG DEEPER 01
Float: $39.3 Billion of Claims Not Yet Paid
UnitedHealth holds $39 billion of claims not yet paid, and in June 2026 it held them about three days longer than at the start of the year.
DIG DEEPER 02
Investment Income Fell by a Quarter
A one-point rise in rates would add $345 million to UnitedHealth's investment income and $273 million to its interest bill, so the float barely…
DIG DEEPER 03
Sixteen Years of Dividend Growth, Fewer Buybacks
UnitedHealth cut its buyback in 2025 and still raised its dividend, for the sixteenth year.
DIG DEEPER 04
Goodwill: $110 Billion of Bought Businesses
UnitedHealth has $110 billion of goodwill, the price of buying most of Optum, and the returns on that capital fell to 9.7% in 2025.
⚠ Threats to the moat
⚠ THREAT 01
Interest Now Takes a Fifth of Operating Earnings
Interest took about 21% of UnitedHealth's operating earnings in 2025, twice its share two years earlier.
⚠ THREAT 02
Returns Below Their Old Range
UnitedHealth's return on capital fell from 18% to under 10% in two years, close to its cost of capital.
References
  1. ReportedMedical costs payable were $39,337 million at the end of 2025.
    UnitedHealth Group Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 1 business: segments, products, people served and leadership. — FY2025 · publ. 2 March 2026 · source ↗
  2. ReportedLong-term debt was $72,320 million, goodwill $110,499 million, and total equity $100,090 million.
    UnitedHealth Group Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - financial statements and notes: segment note, CMS concentration, balance sheet, cash flow and capital. — FY2025 · publ. 2 March 2026 · source ↗
  3. ReportedDebt-to-capital was 43.9% at the end of 2025 against a long-term target of 40.0%, and 41.2% in June 2026.
    UnitedHealth Group fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results release and 2026 outlook, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1. — FY2025 · publ. 27 January 2026 · source ↗
  4. ReportedDebt-to-capital was 43.9% at the end of 2025 against a long-term target of 40.0%, and 41.2% in June 2026.
    UnitedHealth Group second-quarter 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - consolidated results, medical care ratio, cash flow, balance sheet and the raised 2026 outlook. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  5. Moat Explorer calcNet interest-bearing debt was about $50.3 billion at the end of 2025 and about $41.9 billion in June 2026.
    Moat Explorer calculation from UnitedHealth Group's reported figures ($ millions unless stated). External revenue by segment = segment revenue less affiliated revenue (10-K segment notes): 2021 UnitedHealthcare 222,899; Optum Health 54,065 - 29,234 = 24,831; Optum Insight 12,199 - 7,867 = 4,332; Optum Rx 91,314 - 55,779 = 35,535; total 287,597. 2022: 249,741; 71,174 - 40,883 = 30,291; 14,581 - 9,288 = 5,293; 99,773 - 60,936 = 38,837; total 324,162. 2023: 281,360; 95,319 - 57,696 = 37,623; 18,932 - 10,896 = 8,036; 116,087 - 71,484 = 44,603; total 371,622. 2024: 298,208; 105,358 - 63,883 = 41,475; 18,757 - 11,881 = 6,876; 133,231 - 79,512 = 53,719; total 400,278. 2025: 344,903; 101,957 - 63,615 = 38,342; 19,417 - 12,948 = 6,469; 154,726 - 96,873 = 57,853; total 447,567. Q2 2026 (2026 basis): 86,017; 23,472 - 14,353 = 9,119; 5,402 - 3,556 = 1,846; 38,292 - 23,242 = 15,050; total 112,032; Optum external 9,119 + 1,846 + 15,050 = 26,015. Optum external revenue = Optum revenue less corporate eliminations: 155,565 - 90,867 = 64,698 (2021); 182,768 - 108,347 = 74,421 (2022); 226,635 - 136,373 = 90,262 (2023); 252,957 - 150,887 = 102,070 (2024); 270,620 - 167,956 = 102,664 (2025); 102,664 / 102,070 - 1 = 0.6%. Optum revenue from inside the group: 90,867 / 155,565 = 58.4%; 108,347 / 182,768 = 59.3%; 136,373 / 226,635 = 60.2%; 150,887 / 252,957 = 59.6%; 167,956 / 270,620 = 62.1%; Q2 2026 39,648 / 65,663 = 60.4%. Affiliated shares 2025: Optum Health 63,615 / 101,957 = 62%; Optum Insight 12,948 / 19,417 = 67%; Optum Rx 96,873 / 154,726 = 63%. Affiliated revenue as share of UnitedHealthcare revenue 167,956 / 344,903 = 49%. Segment shares of consolidated revenue 2025: UnitedHealthcare 344,903 / 447,567 = 77%; Optum Rx 57,853 / 447,567 = 12.9%; Optum Health 38,342 / 447,567 = 8.6%; Optum Insight 6,469 / 447,567 = 1.4%. Q2 2026 UnitedHealthcare 86,017 / 112,032 = 76.8%. Compound growth 2021-2025: UnitedHealthcare (344,903 / 222,899)^(1/4) - 1 = 11.5%; Optum Rx external (57,853 / 35,535)^(1/4) - 1 = 13.0%. Segment margins: UnitedHealthcare 11,975 / 222,899 = 5.4% (2021), 14,379 / 249,741 = 5.8% (2022); Optum Rx 4,135 / 91,314 = 4.5% (2021), 4,436 / 99,773 = 4.4% (2022); Optum Insight 3,398 / 12,199 = 27.9% (2021), 3,588 / 14,581 = 24.6% (2022); Optum Health H1 2026 2,331 / 47,581 = 4.9%. Optum earnings decline 16,703 - 9,539 = 7,164, 7,164 / 16,703 = 42.9%. Optum Health H1 2026 revenue 47,581 / 49,562 - 1 = -4.0%; earnings 2,331 / 1,840 - 1 = +26.7%; affiliated revenue Q2 14,353 / 15,845 - 1 = -9.4%. Optum Health 2025 recast margin -1,115 / 100,051 = -1.1%; 2024 6,902 / 103,516 = 6.7%. Medical care ratio 2015-2019 from EDGAR XBRL medical costs / premiums: 103,875 / 127,163 = 81.7%; 117,038 / 144,118 = 81.2%; 130,036 / 158,453 = 82.1%; 145,403 / 178,087 = 81.6%; 156,440 / 189,699 = 82.5%. Premiums 127,163 (2015) and 257,157 (2022). Operating earnings 11,021 (2015, XBRL). One point of medical care ratio on 2025 premiums: 352,229 x 1% = 3,522; 3,522 / 18,964 = 18.6% of operating earnings. Q2 2026 favorable development 860 / 86,956 premiums = 1.0 point. Membership: commercial risk-based 8,845 - 7,655 = 1,190 thousand, 1,190 / 8,845 = 13.5%; Medicare Advantage 8,445 - 7,565 = 880 thousand, 880 / 8,445 = 10.4%; Medicaid 7,845 - 6,780 = 1,065 thousand, 1,065 / 7,845 = 13.6%; Part D stand-alone (3,315 - 2,710) / 3,315 = 18.3%. Community & State revenue per year-end Medicaid member 75,004 / 7.845 = 9,561 dollars (2023); 94,390 / 7.380 = 12,790 dollars (2025). Optum Rx quarterly scripts (414 - 387) / 414 = 6.5%. Optum Insight backlog: external 32.8 - 12.5 = 20.3 bn (2024), 31.1 - 12.9 = 18.2 bn (2025), change -10.3%; affiliated share 12.5 / 32.8 = 38%, 12.9 / 31.1 = 41%. Cyberattack provider loans 9,033 - 4,514 - 1,680 = 2,839 not yet repaid at end-2025. Market value against peers: 108.78 + 86.37 + 70.16 + 45.67 + 30.59 + 10.07 = 351.64 bn; 338.03 / 351.64 = 96%. CMS premium revenue 44% x 447,567 = 196,929 (about 197 bn); all other 447,567 - 196,929 = 250,638. Medicare & Retirement share of UnitedHealthcare revenue Q2 2026: 42,390 / 86,017 = 49.3%. Premiums share of revenue Q2 2026: 86,956 / 112,032 = 77.6%. Capital returns 2025: dividends 7,916 + buybacks 5,545 = 13,461; 13,461 / 12,056 = 112% of net earnings; free cash flow 19,697 - 3,622 = 16,075; 13,461 / 16,075 = 84%. Goodwill 44,453 (2015, XBRL) and 110,499 (2025); goodwill plus other intangibles 110,499 + 20,474 = 130,973; 130,973 / 309,581 = 42.3% of assets. Long-term debt 25,331 (2015, XBRL). Interest expense / operating earnings: 3,246 / 32,358 = 10.0% (2023); 4,002 / 18,964 = 21.1% (2025). Rate sensitivity net 345 - 273 = 72. Investment income (3,920 - 5,202) / 5,202 = -24.6%; 4,089 / 371,622 = 1.1% of 2023 revenue. Net interest-bearing debt: 6,069 + 72,320 - 28,121 = 50,268 (Dec 2025); 3,827 + 69,501 - 31,468 = 41,860 (Jun 2026). 2025 guidance: original adjusted EPS midpoint (29.50 + 30.00) / 2 = 29.75; April (26.00 + 26.50) / 2 = 26.25; actual 16.35 / 29.75 - 1 = -45%. 2026 adjusted EPS midpoint (19.50 + 20.00) / 2 = 19.75. Progress vs 2026 guidance: operating earnings 16,981 / 25,450 = 66.7%. Q2 2026 operating earnings 7,991 / 5,150 - 1 = +55%. Gross segment revenue 2025: 344,903 + 101,957 + 19,417 + 154,726 = 621,003; less Optum eliminations 5,480 and corporate eliminations 167,956 = 447,567. Medical costs 313,995 / 264,185 - 1 = 18.9%; medical costs payable 39,337 / 34,224 - 1 = 14.9%. Commercial risk-based members 8,165 - 7,725 = 440 thousand (Q1 2026), 7,725 - 7,655 = 70 thousand (Q2 2026). Medicaid 7,380 - 6,780 = 600 thousand (six months to June 2026); 7,845 - 7,380 = 465 thousand (2023-2025). Optum Rx Q4 2025 share of year 2,885 / 7,193 = 40%. Goodwill 110,499 - 106,734 = 3,765. Total debt 6,069 + 72,320 = 78,389. Dividend at 9.28 x 897.6 million shares = 8,330, 8,330 / 16,750 = 50%. Year-end P/E 2015-2020: 19.3, 21.7, 20.2, 20.0, 20.1, 21.6 (market value / net earnings). H1 2026 medical care ratio 148,847 / 174,517 = 85.3%. Part D stand-alone 2,740 - 2,710 = 30 thousand (Q2 2026). Rounded external revenue ($bn): Optum Rx 35.5, 38.8, 44.6, 53.7, 57.9 (2021-2025), 15.1 (Q2 2026); Optum Health 24.8, 30.3, 37.6, 41.5, 38.3, 9.1 (Q2 2026); Optum Insight 4.3, 5.3, 8.0, 6.9, 6.5, 1.8 (Q2 2026); Optum 64.7, 74.4, 90.3, 102.1, 102.7; net debt 50.3 and 41.9; total debt 78.4; UnitedHealthcare revenue 222.9, 249.7, 281.4, 298.2, 344.9. Optum 2026 guidance 13,450 / 9,539 - 1 = +41%. Corporate eliminations Q2 39,648 / 41,712 - 1 = -4.9%. Net interest-bearing debt / total equity 50,268 / 100,090 = 0.50. Valuation: 2026 net margin implied by guidance 16,750 / 439,000 = 3.8%; 2023 net margin 6.0% x 439.0 bn = 26.3 bn; 338.03 / 26.34 = 12.8 times - balance sheet, cash flow, capital returns and valuation. — 2015-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in UnitedHealth Group's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, results releases, SEC EDGAR XBRL and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  6. Moat Explorer calcReturn on invested capital was between 13.6% and 18.2% every year from 2015 to 2023, then 15.4% in 2024 and 9.7% in 2025.
    Moat Explorer calculation, tools_roic_edgar.py method on SEC EDGAR XBRL for CIK 731766: return on invested capital 13.6% (2015), 13.9% (2016), 16.8% (2017), 16.4% (2018), 16.5% (2019), 16.3% (2020), 17.3% (2021), 18.1% (2022), 18.2% (2023), 15.4% (2024), 9.7% (2025). — 2015-2025 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: NOPAT (operating income x (1 - effective tax rate)) divided by average operating invested capital (total assets less current liabilities less cash), from SEC EDGAR XBRL via the tools_roic_edgar.py method.
  7. ReportedThe company's reported return on equity went from 27.0% in 2023 to 12.8% in 2025.
    UnitedHealth Group Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - financial statements and notes: segment note, CMS concentration, balance sheet, cash flow and capital. — FY2025 · publ. 2 March 2026 · source ↗
  8. ReportedCash flow recovered to $19,964 million in the first half of 2026, the dividend has risen for 16 years, and the float gives liquidity.
    UnitedHealth Group second-quarter 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - consolidated results, medical care ratio, cash flow, balance sheet and the raised 2026 outlook. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  9. ReportedCash flow recovered to $19,964 million in the first half of 2026, the dividend has risen for 16 years, and the float gives liquidity.
    UnitedHealth Group dividend data - annual dividend $9.28, yield 2.46%, 16 years of dividend growth. — September 2026 · publ. 25 September 2026 · source ↗
  10. ReportedIn June 2025 it issued $3.0 billion of notes with coupons from 4.400% to 5.950%, due from 2028 to 2055.
    UnitedHealth Group Form 8-K, June 2025 - issue of $3.0 billion of senior notes with coupons of 4.400% to 5.950%, due 2028 to 2055. — June 2025 · publ. June 2025 · source ↗
  11. ReportedTotal equity was $100,090 million at the end of 2025, of which $94,110 million belonged to UnitedHealth's shareholders.
    UnitedHealth Group Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - financial statements and notes: segment note, CMS concentration, balance sheet, cash flow and capital. — FY2025 · publ. 2 March 2026 · source ↗
  12. ReportedDebt-to-capital was 44.1% at 30 June 2025 and 41.2% a year later, and net interest-bearing debt was about half of total equity at the end of 2025.
    UnitedHealth Group second-quarter 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - consolidated results, medical care ratio, cash flow, balance sheet and the raised 2026 outlook. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  13. Moat Explorer calcDebt-to-capital was 44.1% at 30 June 2025 and 41.2% a year later, and net interest-bearing debt was about half of total equity at the end of 2025.
    Moat Explorer calculation from UnitedHealth Group's reported figures ($ millions unless stated). External revenue by segment = segment revenue less affiliated revenue (10-K segment notes): 2021 UnitedHealthcare 222,899; Optum Health 54,065 - 29,234 = 24,831; Optum Insight 12,199 - 7,867 = 4,332; Optum Rx 91,314 - 55,779 = 35,535; total 287,597. 2022: 249,741; 71,174 - 40,883 = 30,291; 14,581 - 9,288 = 5,293; 99,773 - 60,936 = 38,837; total 324,162. 2023: 281,360; 95,319 - 57,696 = 37,623; 18,932 - 10,896 = 8,036; 116,087 - 71,484 = 44,603; total 371,622. 2024: 298,208; 105,358 - 63,883 = 41,475; 18,757 - 11,881 = 6,876; 133,231 - 79,512 = 53,719; total 400,278. 2025: 344,903; 101,957 - 63,615 = 38,342; 19,417 - 12,948 = 6,469; 154,726 - 96,873 = 57,853; total 447,567. Q2 2026 (2026 basis): 86,017; 23,472 - 14,353 = 9,119; 5,402 - 3,556 = 1,846; 38,292 - 23,242 = 15,050; total 112,032; Optum external 9,119 + 1,846 + 15,050 = 26,015. Optum external revenue = Optum revenue less corporate eliminations: 155,565 - 90,867 = 64,698 (2021); 182,768 - 108,347 = 74,421 (2022); 226,635 - 136,373 = 90,262 (2023); 252,957 - 150,887 = 102,070 (2024); 270,620 - 167,956 = 102,664 (2025); 102,664 / 102,070 - 1 = 0.6%. Optum revenue from inside the group: 90,867 / 155,565 = 58.4%; 108,347 / 182,768 = 59.3%; 136,373 / 226,635 = 60.2%; 150,887 / 252,957 = 59.6%; 167,956 / 270,620 = 62.1%; Q2 2026 39,648 / 65,663 = 60.4%. Affiliated shares 2025: Optum Health 63,615 / 101,957 = 62%; Optum Insight 12,948 / 19,417 = 67%; Optum Rx 96,873 / 154,726 = 63%. Affiliated revenue as share of UnitedHealthcare revenue 167,956 / 344,903 = 49%. Segment shares of consolidated revenue 2025: UnitedHealthcare 344,903 / 447,567 = 77%; Optum Rx 57,853 / 447,567 = 12.9%; Optum Health 38,342 / 447,567 = 8.6%; Optum Insight 6,469 / 447,567 = 1.4%. Q2 2026 UnitedHealthcare 86,017 / 112,032 = 76.8%. Compound growth 2021-2025: UnitedHealthcare (344,903 / 222,899)^(1/4) - 1 = 11.5%; Optum Rx external (57,853 / 35,535)^(1/4) - 1 = 13.0%. Segment margins: UnitedHealthcare 11,975 / 222,899 = 5.4% (2021), 14,379 / 249,741 = 5.8% (2022); Optum Rx 4,135 / 91,314 = 4.5% (2021), 4,436 / 99,773 = 4.4% (2022); Optum Insight 3,398 / 12,199 = 27.9% (2021), 3,588 / 14,581 = 24.6% (2022); Optum Health H1 2026 2,331 / 47,581 = 4.9%. Optum earnings decline 16,703 - 9,539 = 7,164, 7,164 / 16,703 = 42.9%. Optum Health H1 2026 revenue 47,581 / 49,562 - 1 = -4.0%; earnings 2,331 / 1,840 - 1 = +26.7%; affiliated revenue Q2 14,353 / 15,845 - 1 = -9.4%. Optum Health 2025 recast margin -1,115 / 100,051 = -1.1%; 2024 6,902 / 103,516 = 6.7%. Medical care ratio 2015-2019 from EDGAR XBRL medical costs / premiums: 103,875 / 127,163 = 81.7%; 117,038 / 144,118 = 81.2%; 130,036 / 158,453 = 82.1%; 145,403 / 178,087 = 81.6%; 156,440 / 189,699 = 82.5%. Premiums 127,163 (2015) and 257,157 (2022). Operating earnings 11,021 (2015, XBRL). One point of medical care ratio on 2025 premiums: 352,229 x 1% = 3,522; 3,522 / 18,964 = 18.6% of operating earnings. Q2 2026 favorable development 860 / 86,956 premiums = 1.0 point. Membership: commercial risk-based 8,845 - 7,655 = 1,190 thousand, 1,190 / 8,845 = 13.5%; Medicare Advantage 8,445 - 7,565 = 880 thousand, 880 / 8,445 = 10.4%; Medicaid 7,845 - 6,780 = 1,065 thousand, 1,065 / 7,845 = 13.6%; Part D stand-alone (3,315 - 2,710) / 3,315 = 18.3%. Community & State revenue per year-end Medicaid member 75,004 / 7.845 = 9,561 dollars (2023); 94,390 / 7.380 = 12,790 dollars (2025). Optum Rx quarterly scripts (414 - 387) / 414 = 6.5%. Optum Insight backlog: external 32.8 - 12.5 = 20.3 bn (2024), 31.1 - 12.9 = 18.2 bn (2025), change -10.3%; affiliated share 12.5 / 32.8 = 38%, 12.9 / 31.1 = 41%. Cyberattack provider loans 9,033 - 4,514 - 1,680 = 2,839 not yet repaid at end-2025. Market value against peers: 108.78 + 86.37 + 70.16 + 45.67 + 30.59 + 10.07 = 351.64 bn; 338.03 / 351.64 = 96%. CMS premium revenue 44% x 447,567 = 196,929 (about 197 bn); all other 447,567 - 196,929 = 250,638. Medicare & Retirement share of UnitedHealthcare revenue Q2 2026: 42,390 / 86,017 = 49.3%. Premiums share of revenue Q2 2026: 86,956 / 112,032 = 77.6%. Capital returns 2025: dividends 7,916 + buybacks 5,545 = 13,461; 13,461 / 12,056 = 112% of net earnings; free cash flow 19,697 - 3,622 = 16,075; 13,461 / 16,075 = 84%. Goodwill 44,453 (2015, XBRL) and 110,499 (2025); goodwill plus other intangibles 110,499 + 20,474 = 130,973; 130,973 / 309,581 = 42.3% of assets. Long-term debt 25,331 (2015, XBRL). Interest expense / operating earnings: 3,246 / 32,358 = 10.0% (2023); 4,002 / 18,964 = 21.1% (2025). Rate sensitivity net 345 - 273 = 72. Investment income (3,920 - 5,202) / 5,202 = -24.6%; 4,089 / 371,622 = 1.1% of 2023 revenue. Net interest-bearing debt: 6,069 + 72,320 - 28,121 = 50,268 (Dec 2025); 3,827 + 69,501 - 31,468 = 41,860 (Jun 2026). 2025 guidance: original adjusted EPS midpoint (29.50 + 30.00) / 2 = 29.75; April (26.00 + 26.50) / 2 = 26.25; actual 16.35 / 29.75 - 1 = -45%. 2026 adjusted EPS midpoint (19.50 + 20.00) / 2 = 19.75. Progress vs 2026 guidance: operating earnings 16,981 / 25,450 = 66.7%. Q2 2026 operating earnings 7,991 / 5,150 - 1 = +55%. Gross segment revenue 2025: 344,903 + 101,957 + 19,417 + 154,726 = 621,003; less Optum eliminations 5,480 and corporate eliminations 167,956 = 447,567. Medical costs 313,995 / 264,185 - 1 = 18.9%; medical costs payable 39,337 / 34,224 - 1 = 14.9%. Commercial risk-based members 8,165 - 7,725 = 440 thousand (Q1 2026), 7,725 - 7,655 = 70 thousand (Q2 2026). Medicaid 7,380 - 6,780 = 600 thousand (six months to June 2026); 7,845 - 7,380 = 465 thousand (2023-2025). Optum Rx Q4 2025 share of year 2,885 / 7,193 = 40%. Goodwill 110,499 - 106,734 = 3,765. Total debt 6,069 + 72,320 = 78,389. Dividend at 9.28 x 897.6 million shares = 8,330, 8,330 / 16,750 = 50%. Year-end P/E 2015-2020: 19.3, 21.7, 20.2, 20.0, 20.1, 21.6 (market value / net earnings). H1 2026 medical care ratio 148,847 / 174,517 = 85.3%. Part D stand-alone 2,740 - 2,710 = 30 thousand (Q2 2026). Rounded external revenue ($bn): Optum Rx 35.5, 38.8, 44.6, 53.7, 57.9 (2021-2025), 15.1 (Q2 2026); Optum Health 24.8, 30.3, 37.6, 41.5, 38.3, 9.1 (Q2 2026); Optum Insight 4.3, 5.3, 8.0, 6.9, 6.5, 1.8 (Q2 2026); Optum 64.7, 74.4, 90.3, 102.1, 102.7; net debt 50.3 and 41.9; total debt 78.4; UnitedHealthcare revenue 222.9, 249.7, 281.4, 298.2, 344.9. Optum 2026 guidance 13,450 / 9,539 - 1 = +41%. Corporate eliminations Q2 39,648 / 41,712 - 1 = -4.9%. Net interest-bearing debt / total equity 50,268 / 100,090 = 0.50. Valuation: 2026 net margin implied by guidance 16,750 / 439,000 = 3.8%; 2023 net margin 6.0% x 439.0 bn = 26.3 bn; 338.03 / 26.34 = 12.8 times - balance sheet, cash flow, capital returns and valuation. — 2015-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in UnitedHealth Group's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, results releases, SEC EDGAR XBRL and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  14. ReportedThe company continues to target a long-term ratio of 40.0%, so most of the way back has been travelled.
    UnitedHealth Group fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results release and 2026 outlook, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1. — FY2025 · publ. 27 January 2026 · source ↗
Sources
Generated September 26, 2026