UnitedHealth Group Declares Quarterly Dividend Of $2.32 Per Share

CVS Health shares dropped 12% after announcing a split into two public companies by mid-2028. The company reported a third-quarter earnings beat and raised its 2026 and 2027 EPS outlooks. Despite the drop, CVS traded at 11x forward earnings, near its five-year average. The split aims to separate Aetna and Caremark from its retail pharmacy business.

An article outlines a $250,000 investment in four healthcare stocks—UnitedHealth (UNH), Merck (MRK), AbbVie (ABBV), and Pfizer (PFE)—yielding about $8,000 annually in dividends. Each company's dividend yield, shares purchased, and annual income are detailed, with Pfizer offering the highest yield at 5.74%. The article also discusses dividend safety and company-specific risks.

BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG) stock rose 12% after Q3 earnings beat estimates, with revenue up 26% to $4.21B and adjusted EBITDA up 42% to $228M. The company raised its 2026 guidance. Gross profit per script increased 27%, and home health census grew 58% due to acquisitions from UnitedHealth's Amedisys and LHC Group. Option Care Health (OPCH) and CVS Health (CVS) report next week, which may indicate if BrightSpring's pricing gains are industry-wide.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas will stop offering Medicare Advantage plans after 2026, affecting 227 counties. UnitedHealthcare and Humana are also exiting multiple counties. UnitedHealthcare is leaving 228 counties, Humana 62, and HCSC 498. UnitedHealthcare's Bobby Hunter cited higher operating costs. Florida health systems Lee Health, Sarasota Memorial, and AdventHealth are ending contracts with UnitedHealthcare. Open enrollment for 2027 runs through Dec. 7.

The Labor Department finalized a rule requiring pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to disclose compensation details to self-insured employers, aiming to lower drug costs by $22 billion over a decade. Effective July 2027, PBMs must share rebates, spread payments, and other data during contract negotiations and every six months. Non-compliance may result in financial penalties. The rule is supported by employers but opposed by PBMs, who argue it's excessive and duplicative.

Six companies, including Aramark, Kraft Heinz, and Ralph Lauren, sued UnitedHealth Group, alleging breaches of fiduciary duties in handling employee health plans. The lawsuit claims UnitedHealth approved inflated claims, engaged in self-dealing, and withheld data. The plaintiffs seek data access, reimbursement, and damages. UnitedHealth disputes the allegations. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.