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UnitedHealth shares will likely remain under the microscope on Monday after logging their worst daily decline since 1998 as the healthcare giant cut its full-year profit forecast amid rising medical costs
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A recent recovery in the stock toward its record high ended abruptly last week, with the price falling decisively below the closely watched 200-week moving average.
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Investors should watch crucial support levels on UnitedHealth’s chart around $439 and $389, while also monitoring key overhead areas near $550 and $606.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) shares will likely remain under the microscope on Monday after logging their worst daily decline since 1998 as the healthcare giant cut its full-year profit forecast.
The company, which cited higher-than-expected medical costs for the downward revision, has faced challenges in recent years from increasing demand for healthcare services under its government-assisted Medicare plans for aging adults and members with disabilities.
The downbeat outlook likely caught market watchers off-guard after the stock rallied toward its record high earlier this month on news the government would pay a higher rate to Medicare insurers than previously estimated.
UnitedHealth shares fell 22% to near $454 on Thursday, ahead of a day off from trading as U.S. markets were closed in commemoration of Good Friday. The stock is down 10% since the start of the year, in line with the S&P 500’s decline over the same period.
Below, we take a closer look at UnitedHealth’s weekly chart and use technical analysis to identify crucial price levels that investors may be tracking.
A recent recovery in UnitedHealth shares toward their all-time high (ATH) ended abruptly last week, with the price staging a decisive close below the closely watched 200-week moving average. Importantly, the sell-off occurred on above-average volume, indicating conviction selling by larger market participants, such as institutional investors and hedge funds.
Moreover, the drop also thrust the relative strength index (RSI) below the 50 threshold, signaling accelerating selling momentum.
Let’s identify two crucial support levels on UnitedHealth’s chart where the shares could attract buying interest and also point out key overhead areas worth monitoring during potential upswings.
The first lower level to track sits around $439. The shares could encounter support in this location near the February swing low, which also closely aligns with last year’s April trough and a minor retracement in November 2021.
