1. UnitedHealth issued $3 billion in senior unsecured notes with a negative outlook. 2. The company has $12.7 billion in short-term borrowings as of May 2025. 3. Financial leverage is elevated at 44.6%, exceeding the 40% target. 4. Earnings are expected to decline, influenced by Medicare Advantage performance. 5. Equity growth is driven by retained earnings despite share repurchases.
Elevated financial leverage and negative credit outlook raise investor concerns. Historically, high leverage has negatively impacted stock prices in downturns.
The negative credit outlook and high leverage could lead to increased investor caution and affect stock price. Earnings performance is critical to investor sentiment.
Immediate concerns over liabilities and earnings may affect stock price quickly. Similar patterns were seen during earnings announcements and high leverage scenarios.
OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has assigned Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs) of “a” (Excellent) to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s (UnitedHealth Group) (Minnetonka, MN) [NYSE: UNH] recently issued senior unsecured notes. (See detailed list below.) The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is negative.
The proceeds from UnitedHealth Group’s recent $3 billion debt issuance are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of short-term borrowings, commercial paper and/or upcoming debt maturities. As of May 31, 2025, UnitedHealth Group had approximately $12.7 billion of short-term borrowings outstanding. Financial leverage at the end of first quarter 2025 was elevated at 44.6%, as measured by AM Best, and is above the company’s long-term target of 40%. Additionally, earnings before interest and tax coverage remained good but declined in 2024 to about eight times. Earnings are expected to remain favorable but will be lower than historical levels due to performance of the Medicare Advantage business. UnitedHealth Group has strong financial flexibility with material non-regulated operating cash flows from its Optum operations. Equity has shown consistent growth over the past five years, driven entirely by retained earnings despite large share repurchases and growing dividend programs. Strong liquidity is driven by favorable operating cash flows, parent company cash, a commercial paper program and a $21 billion revolving credit facility.
The following Long-Term IRs have been assigned with negative outlooks:
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated—
-- “a” (Excellent) on $500 million 4.40 % senior unsecured notes, due June 15, 2028
-- “a” (Excellent) on $750 million 4.65% senior unsecured notes, due Jan. 15, 2031
-- “a” (Excellent) on $1 billion 5.3% senior unsecured notes, due June 15, 2035
-- “a” (Excellent) on $750 million 5.95% senior unsecured notes, due June 15, 2055
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