We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Forever Stocks To Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) stands against the other forever stocks to buy now.
Investment opportunities are increasingly cropping up as volatility in the equity markets edge higher in response to changes in the investment environment. Investors have had to tweak their portfolios as global central banks tweak their monetary policies in response to slowing inflationary pressure.
Uncertainty over the upcoming US election is another headwind that is fueling volatility in the markets. Geopolitical tensions, especially in the Middle East, have also weighed significantly, forcing some investors to resort to defensive investment plays.
READ ALSO: 12 Best Long-Term Stocks to Buy According To Warren Buffett and 10 Best Debt-Free Penny Stocks to Buy Now.
Nevertheless, the array of disappointing economic data led by weakness in the labor market has raised serious doubts about whether the US economy is overheating amid the high interest rates. With the economy creating partly 142,000 jobs and the unemployment rate at 4.25% in August, serious doubts were cast about the resilience of the US economy.
Investors need help understanding the state of the US economy, which had decelerated from the rapid expansion it experienced right after the pandemic when companies rushed to reopen and recruit new employees.
Reducing inflation has provided some relief for families struggling with rising costs. However, the job market has also slowed down, with fewer people being hired, wages increasing at a slower pace, and the duration of unemployment increasing as it becomes harder to secure employment.
A survey carried out by CNBC indicates that the probability of the US economy experiencing a soft landing stands at 53% as the US Federal Reserve starts its interest rate cut cycle. According to Michael Englund of Action Economics, the US economy is growing much faster than expected, even as it stares at economic risks on the horizon.
Source: Pexels
However, there is also a probability that the economy will plunge into recession at 36%, owing to the negative effects of the high interest rates. According to Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG US, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Power’s legacy highly depends on him engineering a soft landing after keeping interest rates high for too long.
Analysts and economists share mixed opinions on whether the economy needs 25 or 50 basis points to start with to cure the effects of the high interest rate environment. The argument for beginning with a smaller cut is based on the assumption that the economy is fundamentally sound, as current and former FED officials argue.
They argue that starting with a 50-basis-point reduction could signal a deeper concern over the economy. It could prompt investors to expect quicker rate reductions, which could spark market booms that complicate efforts to combat inflation.
On the other hand, a bigger reduction might cause investors to believe wrongly that the Fed intends to lower rates by the same amount at its meetings in November and December. This could create an expectation that the Fed would move swiftly towards a neutral interest rate target, which is meant to neither stimulate nor decelerate economic growth, according to James Bullard, who served as the president of the St. Louis Fed from 2008 to 2023.
Amid the monetary policy uncertainty and economic growth slowdown concerns, the US equity market has remained resilient and supported by solid financial results. The S&P 500 rallying by double percentage points affirms growing investor sentiment.
The artificial intelligence frenzy has been one of the main catalysts driving sentiments in the equity markets. Some stocks with exposure to AI have rallied by more than 50%. On the other hand, the FED cutting interest rates is expected to provide the much-needed fuel to sustain the upward momentum in the equity markets.
The best forever stocks to buy now are companies depicting solid revenue and earnings growth with low debt levels poised to generate long-term shareholder value. Additionally, they boast a competitive edge in their respective industries by investing billions of dollars in research and development. In addition, the companies are increasingly spearheading industrial trends and technological advancements such as artificial intelligence.
Our Methodology
The best forever stocks offer stability and growth, making them ideal for long-term investors. We analyzed the iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF, focusing on high-quality US stocks with strong competitive advantages. We ranked the top 10 based on market cap and hedge fund holdings.
At Insider Monkey, we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)
Number of Hedge Funds Holding Stakes as of Q2: 114
Market Cap as of September 18, 2024: $533.70 Billion
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is a diversified healthcare company that offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services. It also provides care delivery, care management, wellness and consumer engagement, and health financial services to patients. It also offers pharmacy care services and programs.
With the stock trading near all-time highs, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is a leading player in the healthcare sector owing to its diversified insurance and care delivery services portfolio. The company has consistently delivered solid financial results even when the broader market faces headwinds. It also benefits from continued innovation in expanding its footprint in the healthcare sector.
In the recent quarter, revenues totaled $98.9 billion, marking a 6% rise compared to the same period last year. A significant portion of this growth was attributed to the company’s extensive Optus healthcare services division, which accounts for most of its income. The company’s revenue growth remains strong, with a 10.59% increase over the last twelve months.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) reported net income of over $6.3 billion, or $6.80 per share. This figure surpassed the $5.8 billion earnings from the same quarter the previous year. While the stock trades at a P/E ratio of 37.78, it reflects a premium valuation compared to the industry average, suggesting high investor expectations for future earnings growth.
By the end of Q2 2024, 114 investors were optimistic about the stock, with total stakes amounting to $12.54 billion. As of June 30, Fisher Asset Management held the largest position, valued at $1.57 billion.
Invesco Distributors, Inc. commented on UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) in its Q2 2024 investor letter. Here is what it said:
“UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH): Like many managed care providers, United Health has come under pressure from rising medical costs and higher-than-expected utilization. The stock is currently undervalued based on our analysis. We view the company as a high-quality compounder with secular growth opportunities in the managed care segment. The US Presidential election may cause additional near-term uncertainty, but we believe United Health will be able to rebound once pricing and utilization issues normalize.”
Overall UNH ranks 7th on our list of the best undervalued cyclical stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of UNH as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than UNH, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.