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Research Alert: Unh: Q1 Results Top Estimates As Company Executes On Turnaround Strategy

-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

UnitedHealth Group's Q1 results show promise for the longer-term turnaround, in our view. Adjusted EPS of $7.23 beat consensus of $6.60, while revenues rose 2% to $111.7B despite membership attrition from portfolio adjustments. The quarter's standout metric was a 90 basis point improvement in medical cost ratio to 83.9%, which we view as supportive despite elevated utilization trends. The company raised 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to at least $18.25 from $17.75 previously, supported by favorable results and plans to repurchase at least $2B of shares by end of Q2. We look to the upcoming earnings call for management commentary on the Medicare Advantage 2027 rate ruling and Medicare Stars reform. Membership declines from ACA EPTC expiration and OBBBA Medicaid changes remain a key focus, and we expect further detail on cost trends and medical utilization to provide insight into margin expectations and turnaround timing.

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Commodities

US Natural Gas Update: Futures Prices Maintain Two-week High

US natural gas futures pared earlier gains in after-hours trade on Wednesday but remained at a two-week high, as heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding conflicts in the Middle East lent support to prices.Both the front-month Henry Hub contract and the continuous benchmark edged up 0.63% to $2.714 per million British thermal units.Prices had earlier traded as high as $2.76/MMBtu during the session.Market sentiment was underpinned by expectations that the Strait of Hormuz could remain closed for an extended period, a development that would likely sustain or boost demand for US LNG exports.However, gains were capped by a weak near-term domestic demand outlook. Forecasts for warmer-than-average temperatures are expected to reduce heating demand in the coming days. Data cited by Barchart from the Commodity Weather Group indicate above-normal temperatures will likely persist across the eastern half of the US through Apr. 26, followed by cooler weather into May.Gelber & Associates said forward weather patterns may provide some support, noting that a cooler bias into early May could modestly lift heating demand. Still, the firm added that the lack of meaningful cooling demand continues to limit overall consumption.Storage expectations also weighed on the market. Analysts anticipate a larger-than-normal inventory build in the US Energy Information Administration's weekly report due Thursday. Market estimates call for an increase of 94-97 billion cubic feet for the week ended Apr. 17, well above the five-year average build of 64 Bcf for the period.On the supply side, dry gas production in the Lower 48 states was estimated at 110.3 Bcf/d, up 3.3% from a year earlier, according to data from BNEF. Demand across the region was pegged at 68.4 Bcf/d, a 2.2% increase year over year.Flows to US LNG export terminals remained steady, with net feedgas deliveries estimated at 20.1 Bcf/d, up 1.6% from the previous week.

Insider Trading

Hims & Hers Health Insider Sold Shares Worth $588,615, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Oluyemi Okupe, Chief Financial Officer, on April 20, 2026, sold 19,645 shares in Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) for $588,615. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Okupe has control over a total of 270,807 Class A common shares of the company, with 262,954 shares held directly and 7,853 controlled indirectly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1773751/000190705626000016/xslF345X05/wk-form4_1776893044.xml

$HIMS
Insider Trading

Hims & Hers Health Insider Sold Shares Worth $283,890, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Soleil Boughton, Chief Legal Officer, on April 20, 2026, sold 9,463 shares in Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) for $283,890. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Boughton has control over a total of 299,368 Class A common shares of the company, with 299,368 shares held directly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1773751/000183781726000009/xslF345X05/wk-form4_1776893050.xml

$HIMS