How to buy UnitedHealth Group stock (UNH)—5 steps to invest
Fact Checked: Amy Tokic
Updated: January 13, 2025
Based in Minneapolis, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is a leading healthcare company and a popular investment choice for both new and experienced investors alike. Composed of two businesses, it includes UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits, and Optum, its tech arm focusing on data-enabled care delivery. Together, they serve 148 million people1, focusing on five key sectors2: value-based care, health benefits, health technology, health financial services and pharmacy services. But how well do these sectors perform? And what does one need to know about how to buy UnitedHealth Group stock? We dig in.
How to buy UnitedHealth Group stock
Before you can start earning, you need to know how to buy UnitedHealth Group stock. It takes just five steps to get started.
- 1.
Decide how to buy. Before you can buy stock, you need to have an active brokerage account. UnitedHealth Group does not allow investors to buy shares directly, so instead consider buying through a brokerage.
- 2.
Open an account. After you choose a brokerage, you need to open an account. This typically requires a quick application that includes your personal details and information about your investment preference and risk tolerance. Approval can be as fast as a few minutes or it can take a few days, depending on your brokerage.
- 3.
Add funds to your account. After your account is officially open and ready for trading, you need to fund it. Most brokerages allow you to add funds via an online site or mobile app where you can use a bank transfer, credit card or debit card to fund your account. Some brokers even accept electronic wallets such as PayPal.
- 4.
Buy UnitedHealth Group stock. Type the NYSE ticker symbol UNH in the search bar and select. Then, determine how to buy UnitedHealthcare stock. You can choose a market order, which uses the stock’s current market price, or you can choose a limit order, which lets you decide how much you want to pay per share. Add the number of shares you want to buy and purchase.
- 5.
Track stock performance. Be sure to track UNH stock carefully so you are aware of market changes and overall growth. It can also help you better manage your portfolio so you know when to buy, hold or sell your shares to maximize your investment. Look to see if your brokerage offers a watch list feature where you can more easily track the market.
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About UnitedHealth Group Inc.
UnitedHealth Group was founded in 19743 as Charter Med Inc. by Richard Burke. Burke’s sale of almost half his stock to the investment firm Warburg, Pincus Capital Co. marked a pivotal moment for the company, allowing the financial growth the company needed for future momentum. The company began to acquire new companies, such as The MetraHealth Companies Inc. in 1995, which brought The Travelers Companies and MetLife under the UnitedHealthcare umbrella.
It officially rebranded as UnitedHealth Group in 1998 and continued to grow with the continued acquisition of new companies like AmeriChoice in 20024, Rally Health in 20175 and LHC Group in 20226.
Today, UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest publicly-traded companies and a leading stock option for investors.
Is UnitedHealth Group a good stock to buy?
UnitedHealth Group has been paying dividends since 19907. It also shows revenues of $100.8 billion with $8.5 billion growth year-over-year.
While 2024 ended at a low point, the stock held fairly steady throughout the fall. For 2024, Q4 dividends were $2.10 with a share price of $509.99 compared to a 52-week high of $630.738. This brought an $8.40 annualized dividend with $23.84 earnings per share and a 1.65% yield to investors, holding a market cap of 4.69 billion.
Continued growth is expected for 20269, with analysts calling for a 13.8% increase in adjusted diluted EPS. Therefore, it could be a great time for investors to consider adding UNH stock to their portfolios.
Pros and cons of buying UnitedHealth Group stock
Pros
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One of the largest publicly-traded companies
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Continued growth through new acquisitions
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Expected growth through 2026
Cons
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Cannot buy directly from UnitedHealth Group
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No Dividend Reinvestment Program (DRIP)
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Decline in membership numbers
FAQs

Lena Muhtadi Borrelli brings over 20 years of experience in the finance industry. She began her career at Morgan Stanley before transitioning over to media. As a finance writer, she has served as an authority for several respected outlets, including Forbes, TIME, Newsweek, Bankrate, Investopedia, Insurance.com, and InvestorPlace. No matter what she is writing, Lena has a unique ability to simplify complex topics, making finance more approachable and relatable to the average reader. When she is not writing or scanning the news for the latest headlines, she is happiest spending time in the Florida sunshine with her husband and two pups.
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