A Future-Proof Investment

With a staggering market cap of $472 billion and a network reaching scores of policyholders, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is an undisputed titan in the health insurance industry.

To put this into perspective, its competitors such as Cigna (CI), Humana (HUM), and Centene (CNC) have market caps of $86.42 billion, $56.64 billion, and $36.32 billion, respectively.

However, the past year witnessed a slight dip in UnitedHealth’s share price by 2%, which noticeably lags the broader market's return of 17%.

This raises a question: Is UnitedHealth’s investment appeal dwindling, or is it merely in a brief pause?

One can't discuss the health insurance sector without addressing the brewing storm of growth in its forecast. This sector is expected to welcome a turbocharged surge fuelled by an escalating burden of maladies and an expanding aging population worldwide.

The global landscape is witnessing a steep rise in various chronic afflictions - from cardiovascular and respiratory conditions to neurological disorders, cancer, musculoskeletal diseases, and diabetes. With the world population growing savvier about the financial cushioning health insurance provides, we're staring at a potential boom in this sector.

Take a gander at the numbers: The global health insurance industry was valued at a hefty USD 2.17 trillion in 2022.

Fast forward to 2032, and we're talking about a market swelling to an eye-watering USD 4.37 trillion. And with a projected CAGR of 7.3% from 2023 to 2032, we can safely say the health insurance express isn't slowing down anytime soon.

With this backdrop, let's dive into the compelling aspects of investing in UnitedHealth.

First, let's delve into the favorable aspects of investing in UnitedHealth. The core rationale is simple: healthcare is perennial. As long as human beings exist, healthcare will always be needed.

In the United States, individuals or their employers inevitably need to secure health insurance on a monthly basis. The constant evolution and improvement of healthcare services create a fertile ground for potentially substantial earnings in both the insurance and healthcare delivery sectors.

UnitedHealth, a veritable powerhouse, operates two key divisions - one specializing in health insurance and prescription coverage, and the other focused on healthcare provision. This dual-pronged approach has the potential to create sustained shareholder value.

Finding a flaw in this favorable proposition is challenging, particularly when examining the figures.

The company amassed an impressive $93 billion in revenue in the second quarter of 2023 alone, making it one of the world's largest corporations. It outperformed analysts' predictions of $91 billion, and the earnings per share of $6.14 surpassed Wall Street estimates of $5.99.

Although the company's medical care ratio did increase from 81.5% to 83.2% as expected, this was offset by a robust revenue growth that outpaced the rise in medical and operational costs.

UnitedHealth provides insurance to over 51 million individuals, with an addition of over a million new policyholders in 2023. UnitedHealth's scale allows it to keep costs low, forming a formidable entry barrier for new market contenders.

Moreover, its quarterly revenue experienced a notable 63% increase over the past five years, hinting at significant growth potential. This suggests that UnitedHealth's future growth prospects remain robust.

Straight from the company itself, UnitedHealth anticipates growing its earnings per share (EPS) between 13% and 16% annually. Moreover, the company has shown consistent dividend growth, with an annual increase of 10% since 2010.

This indicates a company that excels in operating its business model over time, suggesting potential stability and growth in both share price and dividends.

One key strategy of UnitedHealth is its diverse portfolio, developed over the years through strategic acquisitions like home health company LHC Group and analytics firm Change Healthcare. This diversity has allowed the company to maintain a growth rate exceeding 10% over the last five years.

UnitedHealth's most significant growth driver remains its premiums, but the company also saw an additional $2 billion in revenue from services and $1.2 billion from product sales last quarter.

Although it faces potential increases in medical costs, the company's diversified portfolio helps it maintain strong profit growth, with adjusted earnings per share rising 10% to $6.14 year-on-year.

Despite the overall positive outlook, it's worth noting that UnitedHealth's shares have decreased by about 4% this year. While the stock is trading at 23 times trailing earnings, slightly below the healthcare industry average of 25, the company's consistent growth could justify a higher valuation.

Overall, UnitedHealth remains a promising investment in the long run despite some short-term volatility, as it offers a blend of stability and growth. It may well be a stock worth considering for those looking for a long-term hold in the healthcare sector. I suggest you buy the dip.