UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jul 18 $450 Puts Sweep (13) near the Bid: 39 vs 238 OI

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jul 18 $450 Puts Sweep (13) near the Bid: 39 @ $134.354 vs 238 OI; Ref=$317.335

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jul 18 $420 Puts Sweep (7) near the midpoint: 82 vs 684 OI

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jul 18 $420 Puts Sweep (7) near the midpoint: 82 @ $104.543 vs 684 OI; Ref=$318.03

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jul 18 $440 Puts Sweep (5) near the Bid: 58 vs 248 OI

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jul 18 $440 Puts Sweep (5) near the Bid: 58 @ $115.53 vs 248 OI; Ref=$326.5574

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Mar 20 $300 Puts Sweep (52) near the Ask: 349 vs 84 OI

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Mar 20 $300 Puts Sweep (52) near the Ask: 349 @ $30.397 vs 84 OI; Ref=$333.89

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jun, 2027 $250 Calls Sweep (34) near the Ask: 194 vs 1025 OI

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jun, 2027 $250 Calls Sweep (34) near the Ask: 194 @ $164.349 vs 1025 OI; Ref=$384.785

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jun, 2027 $250 Calls at the Ask: 98 vs 515 OI

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Jun, 2027 $250 Calls at the Ask: 98 @ $167.0 vs 515 OI; Ref=$388.56

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Sep 19 $410 Puts at the Bid: 700 vs 711 OI

UnitedHealth Group Option Alert: Sep 19 $410 Puts at the Bid: 700 @ $41.3 vs 711 OI; Ref=$394.795

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UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest private health insurers and provides medical benefits to about 51 million members globally, including 1 million outside the US as of December 2024. As a leader in employer-sponsored, self-directed, and government-backed insurance plans, UnitedHealth has obtained massive scale in medical insurance. Along with its insurance assets, UnitedHealth's Optum franchises help create a healthcare services colossus that spans everything from pharmaceutical benefits to providing outpatient care and analytics to both affiliated and third-party customers.

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Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.
U.S. markets experienced heightened volatility this week as President Donald Trump intensified trade tensions by threatening a 25% tariff on foreign-made Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) products and announcing a 50% tariff on European Union imports starting June 1. These announcements led to a decline in major indices, with the S&amp;P 500 falling 0.7%, the Dow Jones dropping 0.6%, and the Nasdaq decreasing by 1%. Apple shares were particularly affected, losing 3% in value.
Investor concerns over the U.S. fiscal outlook grew as the 30-year Treasury yield briefly surpassed 5.15%, reflecting apprehensions about rising deficits and debt sustainability. A weak 20-year Treasury auction further exacerbated these fears, indicating diminished demand for long-term U.S. debt.
Looking ahead, market participants are closely monitoring upcoming U.S.-China trade negotiations and potential adjustments to existing tariffs. The Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates remains a focal point, especially as real borrowing costs rise, tightening broader financial conditions. Additionally, corporate earnings reports and economic indicators will continue to influence market dynamics in the coming weeks.
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.

The Bulls
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/05/45544614/google-could-smart-glasses-smart-speech-spark-the-stocks-next-big-leap">"Google: Could smart glasses, speech spark the stock's next big leap?"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) is gaining investor attention as its partnership with Warby Parker to develop AI-powered smart glasses and advancements in speech recognition technology signal a potential new growth narrative beyond search.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45574763/goldman-sachs-defense-stock-golden-dome">"Goldman Sachs: Golden Dome is big win for this defense stock"</a>, by Piero Cingari, reports that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) analyst Noah Poponak reiterated a Buy rating on L3Harris Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LHX#NYSE">LHX</a>), highlighting its potential to secure billions in contracts from the Trump administration's $175 billion "Golden Dome" missile defense initiative.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/05/45531583/amd-nvidia-shares-jump-after-musk-highlights-xais-gpu-needs-we-expect-to-still-buy-a-lot">"AMD, Nvidia shares jump after Musk highlights xAI's GPU needs: ‘We expect to still buy a lot'"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) and NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shares rose after Elon Musk stated that Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and xAI plan to purchase "a lot" of GPUs from both companies to support AI initiatives like robotaxis and the Optimus robot.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/05/45541780/d-wave-quantum-stock-extends-rally-as-momentum-builds-following-launch-of-new-quantum-system">D-Wave Quantum Stock Extends Rally As Momentum Builds Following Launch Of New Quantum System</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45517783/magnificent-7-stun-the-street-with-the-best-earnings-beat-since-2021">Magnificent 7 Stun The Street With Best Earnings Beat Since 2021</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45540768/medtronic-beats-q4-forecasts-hikes-dividend-plans-diabetes-spinoff">Medtronic Beats Q4 Forecasts, Hikes Dividend, Plans Diabetes Spinoff</a>

The Bears
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/05/45568107/solar-energy-stocks-drop-as-house-approves-major-rollback-of-climate-incentives">"Solar energy stocks drop as House approves major rollback of climate incentives"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>) shares fell after the House passed President Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill," which rolls back key climate incentives, leaving the solar industry facing uncertainty as the bill moves to the Senate.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45540759/target-stock-slips-as-q1-earnings-miss-estimates-fy2025-outlook-cut-amid-slowing-sales">"Target stock slips as Q1 earnings miss estimates, FY2025 outlook cut amid slowing sales"</a>, by Nabaparna Bhattacharya, reports that Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) shares fell after the company missed Q1 earnings expectations and lowered its FY2025 outlook, citing a 3.8% drop in comparable sales driven by tariffs, weakened consumer sentiment, and backlash from scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/rumors/25/05/45555558/wolfspeed-stock-plunges-59-on-bankruptcy-fears-options-traders-cash-in">"Wolfspeed stock plunges 59% on bankruptcy fears: Options traders cash in"</a>, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Wolfspeed Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WOLF#NYSE">WOLF</a>) shares plummeted 59% to $1.28 after reports emerged that the company is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with options traders profiting from heavy put activity ahead of the news.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45554854/health-care-stocks-like-unitedhealth-cvs-tank-on-wednesday-heres-why">Health Care Stocks Like UnitedHealth, CVS Tank On Wednesday: Here's Why</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45567780/hims-hers-health-stock-is-tumbling-thursday-whats-happening">Hims &amp; Hers Health Stock Is Tumbling Thursday: What's Happening?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45532892/legendary-investor-jeremy-grantham-warns-of-50-stock-market-crash">Legendary Investor Jeremy Grantham Warns Of 50% Stock Market Crash</a>

Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following <a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> on X</a>.
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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Alphabet, L3Harris, Target — And Latest Tariff News Roils Markets

Everybody "knows" that value investing doesn't work anymore. It's in all the headlines.
Investing today is about technology, everyone says. It's about artificial intelligence. It's about quantum computing, about the rebirth of nuclear energy.
Some of this is true, some isn't, but what's really not true is that value investing doesn't work. In fact, it still works better than just about any other investing approach.
The reason people say otherwise is because they've got value all wrong. "Value," they think, is just another word for "cheap." But most cheap stocks are cheap because they're bad investments.
Here's how to invest in value the right way using just two metrics – and beat the markets handily.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What People Get Wrong About Value</h2>
There are a couple of problems with the way people define value investing. First, we need to address the fact that the sound of it is boring.  Value investing sounds like a professor with tweed elbow patches smoking a pipe in an old dusty office in some brick and ivy university somewhere up in Vermont or Maine during a snowstorm. It just sounds boring.
Perhaps if we could call it vulture investing, market pillaging, or some other equally interesting name, it would attract more attention.
But then again, since we seem to have a corner on it, do we really want to attract all that much attention?
Second, let's talk about the way people track value. For instance, the Russell Value Index is supposed to represent value. When you compare it, growth has outperformed value for several hundred consecutive years, according to the literature.
That may be a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.
When you examine the Russell 1000 Value index, it's allegedly the bottom half of the Russell 2000 weighted by value components.
The top holdings include Berkshire Hathaway, Cisco Systems, McDonald&#8217;s, Walt Disney, Raytheon, and Caterpillar. These are all great companies.
What they are not is value companies.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Truth About Value</h2>
When we really look at the hard data, the truth is that absolute value never stopped working. When you look at companies that are trading at discounts to asset value, low multiples of the cash produced by the business, and low multiples of liquidation value, which is still one of my favorites, the truth is that they have continued to work and work very well.
The key thing that most people leave out is they will run a list of companies trading below book value and will say, &#8220;Look, these underperformed the market.&#8221; That is, in fact, true.
More than half of those companies are unprofitable and overleveraged, and their products are going completely out of style. You know, they are CD-ROM manufacturers or buggy whip makers in the business of making something we are never going to use again.
Many of the companies that trade below book value, in all honesty, do so for a reason. They are headed for the garbage pile.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Making Value Work: Financial Strength</h2>
How do we get rid of those? You have to adjust for a couple of factors:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>You want strength in the financial statements.</li>
<li>You want the ability to survive, and you prefer that they are profitable.</li>
</ul>
Two papers, with several follow-ups, have come out in the last twenty-five years that show us how to do this.
One of these is Joseph Piotrowski&#8217;s publication &#8220;Value Investing: The Use of Historical Financial Statement Information to Separate Winners from Losers.&#8221; The F-score is based on that paper.
Value plus the F-score crush the market. When we add value plus the F-score plus credit scores, I prefer the Altman Z score—then you annihilate the market.
The key variable here is profitability and financial strength.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Missing Factor: Profitability</h2>
The other paper, which very few people seem to have read, is important.
In 2013, an economist, Robert Novy-Marks, published a paper that should have but didn&#8217;t redefine the entire playing field for investing. It is called &#8220;The Other Side of Value: The Gross Profitability Premium.&#8221;
Basically, they found that highly profitable companies outperform, no matter how cheap or expensive they may look. It is a single idea that gross profitability is the missing dimension, the missing factor.
It has found its way into some of the academic models. Novy-Marksed followed up on it with &#8220;Profitability Retrospective: What Have We Learned?&#8221;
This is key because many people today will tell you that quality matters. We have got to buy these quality companies. Everyone has a 16, 17, or 18-factor model that supposedly helps us identify truly high-quality companies.
Novy-Marks has found in both the original 2013 study and the retrospective today that you only need one factor to identify quality. That factor is profitability, which is defined in the original paper as gross profits as a percentage of assets.
The higher that is, the better the company is.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quality Simplified</h2>
It explains all of the excess returns from so-called quality investing. When you ask what exactly we are looking for here, it turns out it all boils down to one simple measure.
You can use an 18-factor model, or you can use just gross profitability as a percent of assets. When you look at the largest cap companies that are in the upper end of the range: Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Alphabet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>), Meta (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Walmart (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>), Visa (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>), Eli Lilly (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), MasterCard (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>), Oracle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Procter &amp; Gamble (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PG#NYSE">PG</a>), UnitedHealth (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) &#8211; all of the same companies that would show up if we use that super sophisticated, 18-factor quality model for which you will pay a massive premium to have access to the data – it turns out you can get the same list using just gross profitability.
Gross profitability also explains all of the defensive strategies.
All of the defensive low beta stocks are just highly profitable companies that also are growing their asset base slowly. They are doing very conservative investing. They are not de-worsifying the business. They are not trying to grow at a high rate.
They are just ridiculously profitable companies that are willing to sit in place and do what they are good at and continually pile up profits and cash.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Unifying Factor</h2>
Profitability explains quality. It explains the low beta and low volatility phenomena.
Many investors have looked for new ways to define value. Cash flow to price, earnings forecast, intangible adjusted tangible book value, adjust for a lot of different factors in R&amp;D. These are going to "fix" value's alleged shortcomings in a day and age of high technology.
The truth is that all these newer value strategies sneak in profitability as a factor in addition to value. Profitability by itself delivers market-beating returns.
Profitability plus value, whether that is price to book or a different model that works, like enterprise value to earnings before interest and taxes, beats the market even more.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Value Appears to Have Underperformed</h2>
When we look at the underperformance of "value" since 2007, the truth is that it's because we junked up the value universe. We put a lot of garbage in there. There are many stocks trading below book value that are biotech startup companies. They are below the cash balance on the balance sheet, but they are burning cash at a rapid rate and will soon be out of money. The book value will, in fact, disappear.
There are all these companies that look cheap but are wildly unprofitable. They are burning through money.
Then you have a lot of garbage that came in through the two SPAC movements in 2007 and then again in 2020 when companies that were still basically at the garage stage of existence suddenly went public.
We really junked up the value universe with a lot of garbage.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Foundation of Investment Success</h2>
Profitability is not just another factor but another tool.
It is a foundational tool that unifies multiple styles. It is part of quality, defensive value, and even some growth stocks.
Profitability explains a lot of the strategies that people use without relying on complicated, expensive 18-factor models.
If we take low-volatility companies and buy the most profitable, we are going to outperform the market.
If we just buy the most profitable companies, we are going to outperform the market.
If we buy the most profitable companies that are trading at low multiples of the cash produced by the business, we are going to absolutely crush the markets.
This is not a day trading system or a short-term trading system. It is the single best way to build long-term portfolios that beat the market and produce lasting wealth.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Unified Theory of Investing</h2>
Profitability explains almost everything that happens in the market. If you have a great business, it is wildly profitable.
If you are a quality company with high returns on equity, low leverage, and earning stability, you are a very profitable company.
If you are a defensive company with low volatility and lower beta, all of the outperformance of these strategies is because they are profitable companies that are not reinvesting in the business to rapidly grow the asset base.
You have low-investment, profitable companies. There is your entire defensive strategy.
The underperformance of value investing over the last fifteen years or so is entirely because of the addition of so many unprofitable companies. If we use F-scores and profitability to screen out just the profitable undervalued companies, performance goes through the roof.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Simple Path to Success</h2>
Most people won't do it because it doesn't make you rich by next Tuesday. It is not the absolute most exciting strategy on the planet. What it does is give you a very easy, quick way to uncover opportunities.
Two scores.
That is all you have to check. You can put together a universe of companies that can crush the market.
Basically, no folks, value investing is not dead.
If anything, if you understand that financial strength and profitability are the key to making value investing go from boring to the most exciting thing you can possibly do with your money, value investing is very much alive and still very successful.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Want to Trade the Next Reversal? Start Here</h2>
Matt Maley is watching one ultra-liquid ETF that surges when the market pulls back. He's used it time and time again—and this Wednesday at 6 PM ET, he'll be live to show you how to time it with precision. It's perfect for short-term traders looking to get ahead of the next move. Register <a href="https://events2.benzinga.com/matt-maley-webinar-wed-may28-2025-registration/?utm_campaign=webinar052825&amp;utm_adType=sponsorad&amp;utm_ad=RD052725">HERE</a> for this free masterclass now.
Editorial content from our expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.
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Value Investing Is Not Dead - It Just Got Smarter

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/30/25</td>
<td>$59.00</td>
<td>$69.2K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
<td>4.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NVO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/30/25</td>
<td>$71.00</td>
<td>$39.1K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$102.9K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
<td>920</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TMO</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$99.0K</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>650</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RXRX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$7.00</td>
<td>$32.5K</td>
<td>3.5K</td>
<td>279</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TEM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$38.1K</td>
<td>6.6K</td>
<td>264</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DHR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
<td>$66.9K</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/30/25</td>
<td>$36.00</td>
<td>$27.4K</td>
<td>266</td>
<td>38</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• For CVS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 7 day(s) on May 30, 2025. This event was a transfer of 752 contract(s) at a $59.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 35 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $69.2K, with a price of $92.0 per contract. There were 2468 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4643 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding NVO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 7 day(s) on May 30, 2025. Parties traded 1000 contract(s) at a $71.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 21 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $39.1K, with a price of $39.0 per contract. There were 2294 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4086 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding UNH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 238 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 96 contract(s) at a $200.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 19 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $102.9K, with a price of $1075.0 per contract. There were 4074 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 920 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For TMO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMO#NYSE">TMO</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 210 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 150 contract(s) at a $280.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 34 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $99.0K, with a price of $660.0 per contract. There were 1 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 650 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding RXRX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RXRX#NASDAQ">RXRX</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 602 day(s) on January 15, 2027. Parties traded 250 contract(s) at a $7.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.5K, with a price of $130.0 per contract. There were 3518 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 279 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding TEM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEM#NASDAQ">TEM</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 56 day(s) on July 18, 2025. Parties traded 53 contract(s) at a $65.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $38.1K, with a price of $720.0 per contract. There were 6682 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 264 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For DHR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DHR#NYSE">DHR</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 210 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 34 contract(s) at a $190.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 5 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $66.9K, with a price of $1970.0 per contract. There were 25 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 42 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding HIMS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 7 day(s) on May 30, 2025. Parties traded 15 contract(s) at a $36.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.4K, with a price of $1830.0 per contract. There were 266 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 38 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

RXRX

8 Health Care Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

On May 7, the Ninth Circuit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ftc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">affirmed the decision</a> of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, FTC versus Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), denying the Commission&#8217;s application for a preliminary injunction to block Microsoft&#8217;s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc.  
The Commission has now determined that the public interest is best served by dismissing the administrative litigation <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2210077-microsoftactivision-blizzard-matter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in this case</a>.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45541908/supermicro-eyes-texas-mississippi-for-ai-server-growth-as-microsoft-amazon-increase-spending" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Supermicro Eyes Texas, Mississippi For AI Server Growth As Microsoft, Amazon Increase Spending</a>
Microsoft sold the Xbox gaming console and offered a video game subscription service called Xbox Game Pass and a cloud-based video game streaming service. The agency alleged that the deal would enable Microsoft to suppress competitors to its Xbox gaming consoles and its rapidly growing subscription and cloud-gaming business. The Commission withdrew the matter from adjudication in July 2023 and returned it to adjudication on Sept. 26, 2023. 
Recently, the FTC also dropped a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) for allegedly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45582935/ftc-scraps-pepsico-price-discrimination-case-in-3-0-vote-marking-major-shift-as-trump-era-leadership-reverses-biden-crackdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offering preferential pricing</a> to major retailers like Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>). The case marked broader Biden administration efforts to target price discrimination.
The FTC also paused cases against CVS Health Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), and UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) over pharmacy benefit manager practices, citing commissioner shortages after President Donald Trump&#8216;s personnel changes.
President Trump named FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42428224/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-mirror-stock-declines-ahead-of-crucial-inflation-data-release-top-analyst-says-buy-the-dip-predicts-275k-btc-target" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his choice</a> for FTC chair last December, replacing Lina Khan. This could potentially reshape the agency&#8217;s approach to tech regulation and antitrust enforcement.
Under Khan&#8217;s leadership, the federal firm has aggressively targeted tech giants, including&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>),&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), and&nbsp;Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>).
Price Action: MSFT stock is down 1.06% at $450.31 at last check Friday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45565087/cramer-backs-marvell-again-as-ai-deals-with-amazon-microsoft-fuel-stock-surge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cramer Backs Marvell Again As AI Deals With Amazon, Microsoft Fuel Stock Surge</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Microsoft Clears Major Hurdle As FTC Ends Effort To Block Activision Merger

<ul>
<li>AAPL</li>
<li>UNH</li>
<li>GLD</li>
<li>TSLA</li>
<li>NVDA</li>
<li>BULL</li>
<li>GOOGL</li>
<li>OKLO</li>
<li>PLTR</li>
<li>QQQ</li>
</ul>
Data from <a href="https://swaggystocks.com/dashboard/wallstreetbets/ticker-sentiment">https://swaggystocks.com/dashboard/wallstreetbets/ticker-sentiment</a>
&nbsp;

BULL

OKLO

PLTR

Top 10 Trending Stocks On WallStreetBets As Of May 23, 2025 (Via Swaggy Stocks)

A post on Reddit&#8217;s r/WallStreetBets community is making waves after a user claimed to have made a bold, high-conviction stock play, risking not just financial ruin, but putting his marriage on the line.
What Happened: Friday early morning, a WallStreetBets user who goes by the name /u/Sensitive_Reveal_227 <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/wallstreetbets/comments/1kt8b8d/i_took_100k_from_our_house_sale_and_bought_303/">posted</a> details surrounding his huge bet in the community.
He claims to have sold his house, clearing $120,000 in equity, of which he invested $100,000 into 303 shares of beleaguered health insurer, UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), all of which he did without informing his wife, and even outright misleading her.
&#8220;Wife said, ‘Put it somewhere safe.' I said, hold my beer,&#8221; he says, &#8220;Then funneled $100K into Fidelity and bought 303 shares of UnitedHealth.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45582003/jamie-dimon-who-once-said-trump-was-right-about-some-of-china-now-reportedly-appears-to-be-siding-with-xi-jinping-amid-washington-beijing-tensions">Jamie Dimon, Who Once Said Trump Was &#8216;Right About Some Of China,&#8217; Now Reportedly Appears To Be Siding With Xi Jinping Amid Washington-Beijing Tensions</a>
While this would be a red flag in any marriage, the user insists he technically didn't lie. &#8220;Told the wife the money is safe in a high-yield savings account,&#8221; he added, &#8220;Technically not wrong.&#8221;
The thesis behind his investment is pretty straightforward: America's chronic health problems aren&#8217;t going away anytime soon. &#8220;Fat, old, diabetic, stressed out&#8230; healthcare is the last thing people cut,&#8221; he says, before noting the company&#8217;s scale and robust fundamentals.
The user also highlights recent insider buying in the stock, with the CEO, CFO, and independent directors all <a href="https://benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/05/45486314/unitedhealth-ceo-other-insiders-buy-millions-in-stock-as-it-sinks-over-23-in-a-week-move-gets-mixed-reaction">buying millions worth of shares</a> in the company, with their own personal money, which he views as a bullish signal.
The post concludes with a cheeky note on the user&#8217;s marital gamble, &#8220;Now I just need to convince her to stall on the purchase of our next home&#8230; Till death do us part,&#8221; he adds.
Why It Matters: UnitedHealth has found itself at the center of a perfect storm in recent months, starting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/12/42316904/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-fatally-shot-outside-nyc-hotel">with the assassination</a> of its CEO Brian Thompson in December, which is now the subject of an investor lawsuit that alleges that the company downplayed the potential impact of this murder.
The company&#8217;s CEO, Andrew Witty, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45373368/unitedhealth-stock-plunges-names-new-ceo-suspends-2025-guidance">resigned abruptly last week</a>, further fueling uncertainty among investors, following which the current CEO, Stephen Hemsley, decided to suspend its full-year guidance. 
To top it off, just a few days later, a Wall Street Journal report claimed that UnitedHealth was <a href="https://benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/05/45424904/unitedhealth-stock-caught-in-a-perfect-storm-falls-nearly-50-since-april">under criminal investigation</a> by the U.S. Department of Justice, with a focus on the company&#8217;s Medicare Advantage business practices.
The company refuted all allegations, telling Benzinga that it has not been notified of any supposed criminal investigation by the DOJ, while calling WSJ&#8217;s reporting &#8220;deeply irresponsible.&#8221;
The stock has been on a steady decline since its disappointing first quarter results last month, down nearly 50% since then, despite a rebound this week, following news of <a href="https://benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/05/45486314/unitedhealth-ceo-other-insiders-buy-millions-in-stock-as-it-sinks-over-23-in-a-week-move-gets-mixed-reaction">insider buying activity</a>.
Price Action: The stock was down 2.08% on Thursday, trading at $296.67, but is up 1.33% after hours. It is down 41.20% on a year-to-date basis.
Since we&#8217;re talking about /r/WallStreetBets, it&#8217;s worth noting that GameStop Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) was up 10.02% on Thursday, due to rising Bitcoin prices, and is up 2.56% after hours.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="140" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/23044556/Screenshot-2025-05-23-at-2.15.44-PM-1024x140.png" alt="" class="wp-image-925615" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/23044556/Screenshot-2025-05-23-at-2.15.44-PM-1024x140.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/23044556/Screenshot-2025-05-23-at-2.15.44-PM-300x41.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/23044556/Screenshot-2025-05-23-at-2.15.44-PM-768x105.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/23044556/Screenshot-2025-05-23-at-2.15.44-PM-1536x210.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/23044556/Screenshot-2025-05-23-at-2.15.44-PM.png 1594w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
UnitedHealth scores poorly across the board in Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings. Click <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a> for deeper insights into the stock, its peers, and competitors.
Read More:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45582025/stock-market-is-underpricing-downside-risks-of-the-tariff-rates-warns-expert-tariff-policy-nuances-are-far-more-important-than-the-one-big-beautiful-bill">Stock Market Is Underpricing &#8216;Downside Risks Of The Tariff Rates,&#8217; Warns Expert: Tariff Policy Nuances Are &#8216;Far More Important&#8217; Than The &#8216;One Big, Beautiful Bill&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Piotr Swat / Shutterstock.com

Health Care

WallStreetBets Redditor Says He Dropped $100K Into UnitedHealth After Selling His House Without Telling His Wife: 'Hold My Beer'

The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-0 on Thursday to dismiss a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEP#NASDAQ">PEP</a>) that accused the beverage giant of offering preferential pricing to major retailers, marking a significant shift from former President Joe Biden-era corporate scrutiny under the President Donald Trump administration.
What Happened: The FTC dropped the case filed in January&#8217;s final days of the Biden administration, with NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/biden-era-pepsi-price-discrimination-suit-dropped-ftc-rcna208635">reporting</a> that Chair Andrew Ferguson criticized it as &#8220;a nakedly political effort to commit this administration to pursuing little more than a hunch that Pepsi had violated the law.&#8221; 
Ferguson, who dissented when the case was originally filed as a commissioner, now leads the agency after President Trump fired two Democratic commissioners in March.
The original lawsuit alleged PepsiCo violated the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-todayhttps://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-today">Robinson-Patman Act</a> by providing unfair pricing advantages to Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) through promotional payments and advertising allowances not extended to competing retailers. 
PepsiCo welcomed the decision, stating it &#8220;has always and will continue to provide all customers with fair, competitive, and non-discriminatory pricing.&#8221; 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45581873/top-amd-exec-bets-nearly-1-million-on-stocksignals-confidence-amid-buybacks-easing-tariffs-and-saudi-deal">Top AMD Exec Adds Nearly $1 Million Of The Chipmaker&#8217;s Stock: Signals Confidence Amid Buybacks, Easing Tariffs And Saudi Deal</a> Why It Matters: The case was part of broader Biden administration efforts targeting price discrimination, following a December action against Southern Glazer&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-todayhttps://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43063862/whats-going-on-with-pepsico-stock-today">wine and spirits distributor</a>.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44627279/ftc-pauses-lawsuit-against-cvs-cigna-unitedhealths-pbms-amid-commissioner-shortage?utm_source=chatgpt.com">FTC also paused separate cases</a> against CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), and UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) over pharmacy benefit manager practices, citing commissioner shortages after Trump&#8217;s personnel changes. 
Image Via Shutterstock 
Read Also:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45581845/judge-blocks-trumps-mass-federal-layoffs-citing-need-for-congressional-approval">Judge Blocks Trump&#8217;s Mass Federal Layoffs, Citing Need For Congressional Approval</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Regulations

Politics

FTC Scraps PepsiCo Price Discrimination Case In 3-0 Vote, Marking Major Shift As Trump-Era Leadership Reverses Biden Crackdown

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) unleashed sharp criticism of President Donald Trump&#8216;s $3.8 trillion tax package after the House narrowly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45581297/trumps-big-beautiful-3-8-trillion-bill-squeaks-through-house-expert-says-it-will-boost-the-economy-in-the-short-term-but-worsen-deficits">approved the legislation 215-214 on Thursday</a>, accusing billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk of celebrating while millions face healthcare cuts.
What Happened: &#8220;Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are popping champagne because House Republicans just passed Trump&#8217;s &#8216;big, beautiful bill,'&#8221; Warren wrote on X. &#8220;This bill is a big tax handout for billionaires, paid for by ripping health insurance from 14 million people.&#8221;
The legislation now advances to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45581297/trumps-big-beautiful-3-8-trillion-bill-squeaks-through-house-expert-says-it-will-boost-the-economy-in-the-short-term-but-worsen-deficits">Senate before the July 4 recess</a>. Bond markets reacted sharply to the passage, with 30-year Treasury yields spiking to 5.15% — the highest level since October 2023 — as investors demand higher compensation for increased fiscal risk.
Warren warned the bill represents &#8220;the greatest transfer of wealth from the poor to the billionaires in one bill in all of U.S. history.&#8221; 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">BREAKING: Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are popping champagne because House Republicans JUST passed Trump's "big, beautiful bill." This bill is a BIG tax handout for billionaires, paid for by ripping health insurance from 14 MILLION people. We must stop this from passing the Senate. <a href="https://t.co/JxHN0yWpMT">pic.twitter.com/JxHN0yWpMT</a>
&mdash; Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1925590808167677993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: The Massachusetts senator specifically targeted tech moguls who attended Trump&#8217;s inauguration, claiming they &#8220;paid millions of dollars to stand in the front row&#8221; and are now &#8220;popping bottles of champagne that cost more than your rent.&#8221;
Market analysts acknowledge short-term economic benefits but express concern over long-term fiscal consequences. Jed Ellerbroek of Argent Capital Management told CNBC the package &#8220;will boost the economy in the short term&#8221; through tax cuts and increased defense spending, but warned it will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45581297/trumps-big-beautiful-3-8-trillion-bill-squeaks-through-house-expert-says-it-will-boost-the-economy-in-the-short-term-but-worsen-deficits">burden America with higher deficits</a>.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation could increase national debt by $2.3 trillion to $5.7 trillion by 2034, adding to the current <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45564489/trumps-big-tax-bill-clears-the-house-30-year-yields-jump-to-515-as-bond-market-freaks">record $36.2 trillion federal debt</a>. The bill also eliminates key federal retirement benefits, including the FERS supplement for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45580298/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-strips-key-retirement-benefits-from-federal-workers-in-razor-thin-house-vote">workers retiring before age 62</a>.
Warren urged Senate Democrats to &#8220;stop this thing from passing the Senate.&#8221;
Image Via Shutterstock 
Read Also:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45580812/trump-may-want-a-recession-market-observers-say-it-serves-his-economic-agendalower-rates-inflation-and-trade-deficit">Trump May &#8216;Want&#8217; A Recession: Market Observer Says It Serves His Economic Agenda—Lower Rates, Oil Prices, And Trade Deficit</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Economics

ENPH

FSLR

Elizabeth Warren Says Jeff Bezos And Elon Musk 'Are Popping Champagne' As House Passes Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' She Calls A Handout To Billionaires

Macro Economic Events

Market Summary

General

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Large Cap Value Index Fund

SEDG

Benzinga Market Summary: Tax Bill Clears The House, Solar Stocks Fall On Plans To Roll Back Clean Energy Credits, Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services Announce Expansion Of Auditing Efforts For Medicare Advantage Plans

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Health Care sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>05/23/25</td>
<td>$300.00</td>
<td>$25.7K</td>
<td>6.4K</td>
<td>7.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MDT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/27/25</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
<td>$244.0K</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LLY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$1000.00</td>
<td>$25.6K</td>
<td>361</td>
<td>274</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SYK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$400.00</td>
<td>$52.8K</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VRTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$450.00</td>
<td>$30.4K</td>
<td>93</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For UNH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 1 day(s) on May 23, 2025. This event was a transfer of 60 contract(s) at a $300.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.7K, with a price of $429.0 per contract. There were 6422 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 7074 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MDT (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDT#NYSE">MDT</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 36 day(s) on June 27, 2025. This event was a transfer of 4000 contract(s) at a $76.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $244.0K, with a price of $61.0 per contract. There were 10 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4000 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding LLY (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 85 day(s) on August 15, 2025. Parties traded 54 contract(s) at a $1000.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.6K, with a price of $475.0 per contract. There were 361 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 274 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For SYK (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYK#NYSE">SYK</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 392 day(s) on June 18, 2026. This event was a transfer of 12 contract(s) at a $400.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $52.8K, with a price of $4400.0 per contract. There were 46 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 15 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For VRTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRTX#NASDAQ">VRTX</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 392 day(s) on June 18, 2026. This event was a transfer of 5 contract(s) at a $450.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.4K, with a price of $6080.0 per contract. There were 93 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 6 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

VRTX

5 Health Care Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bearish stance on UnitedHealth Group.
Looking at options history for UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) we detected 38 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 36% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 50% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 16 are puts, for a total amount of $702,786 and 22, calls, for a total amount of $1,027,888.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $220.0 to $415.0 for UnitedHealth Group over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of UnitedHealth Group stands at 2360.9, with a total volume reaching 33,183.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in UnitedHealth Group, situated within the strike price corridor from $220.0 to $415.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>UnitedHealth Group Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747926192_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$10.4</td>
<td>$10.0</td>
<td>$10.4</td>
<td>$350.00</td>
<td>$125.8K</td>
<td>6.0K</td>
<td>504</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/27/25</td>
<td>$19.75</td>
<td>$19.5</td>
<td>$19.5</td>
<td>$300.00</td>
<td>$87.7K</td>
<td>630</td>
<td>112</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/30/25</td>
<td>$12.65</td>
<td>$11.8</td>
<td>$11.8</td>
<td>$302.50</td>
<td>$85.0K</td>
<td>271</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/18/26</td>
<td>$81.2</td>
<td>$78.4</td>
<td>$81.2</td>
<td>$350.00</td>
<td>$81.2K</td>
<td>552</td>
<td>21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/23/25</td>
<td>$7.95</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$300.00</td>
<td>$79.0K</td>
<td>6.1K</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About UnitedHealth Group</h3>
UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest private health insurers and provides medical benefits to about 51 million members globally, including 1 million outside the US as of December 2024. As a leader in employer-sponsored, self-directed, and government-backed insurance plans, UnitedHealth has obtained massive scale in medical insurance. Along with its insurance assets, UnitedHealth's Optum franchises help create a healthcare services colossus that spans everything from pharmaceutical benefits to providing outpatient care and analytics to both affiliated and third-party customers.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding UnitedHealth Group, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of UnitedHealth Group</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 12,416,542, the UNH's price is down by -1.44%, now at $298.61. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be oversold.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 54 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On UnitedHealth Group</h3>
Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $424.2.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Overweight rating on UnitedHealth Group with a target price of $374. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Baird persists with their Outperform rating on UnitedHealth Group, maintaining a target price of $510. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Barclays keeps a Overweight rating on UnitedHealth Group with a target price of $362. 
&#x2A; An analyst from RBC Capital has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on UnitedHealth Group, which currently sits at a price target of $525. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from B of A Securities downgraded its rating to Neutral, setting a price target of $350. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest UnitedHealth Group options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Behind the Scenes of UnitedHealth Group's Latest Options Trends

<ul>
<li>UNH</li>
<li>TSLA</li>
<li>GLD</li>
<li>GOOGL</li>
<li>BULL</li>
<li>$BTC</li>
<li>CRWV</li>
<li>RDDT</li>
<li>CORN</li>
<li>NVDA</li>
</ul>
Data from <a href="https://swaggystocks.com/dashboard/wallstreetbets/ticker-sentiment">https://swaggystocks.com/dashboard/wallstreetbets/ticker-sentiment</a>
&nbsp;

$BTC

CORN

RDDT

Top 10 Trending Stocks On WallStreetBets As Of May 22, 2025 (Via Swaggy Stocks)

U.S. stock futures were mixed this morning, with the Nasdaq futures gaining around 50 points on Thursday.
Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) fell sharply during <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45558758/as-unitedhealth-group-lost-an-unthinkable-140-billion-in-market-cap-since-april-analysts-weigh-in-on-the-path-ahead">Thursday's session</a>.
Shares of health insurance stocks traded lower after CMS announced a strategy to enhance and accelerate Medicare Advantage audits.
UnitedHealth has lost nearly $140 billion from its market capitalization following a series of events such as downbeat Q1 results, CEO Andrew Witty stepping down and a potential criminal investigation by the Department of Justice.
UnitedHealth shares declined 2.5% to $295.52 in the pre-market trading session.
Here are some other stocks moving lower in pre-market trading.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>) shares dipped 15.1% to $9.05 in pre-market trading after declining around 8% on Wednesday.</li>
<li>Array Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARRY#NASDAQ">ARRY</a>) declined 12.1% to $6.25 in pre-market trading.</li>
<li>Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENPH#NASDAQ">ENPH</a>) dipped 12.1% to $41.57 in pre-market trading.</li>
<li>Upexi, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPXI#NASDAQ">UPXI</a>) fell 9.5% to $11.56 in pre-market trading after gaining over 29% on Wednesday.</li>
<li>Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHLS#NASDAQ">SHLS</a>) dipped 9.1% to $4.28 in pre-market trading.</li>
<li>First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) fell 8% to $150.38 in pre-market trading.</li>
<li>Manchester United plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MANU#NYSE">MANU</a>) shares declined 6.9% to $13.54 in pre-market trading.</li>
<li>SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SEDG#NASDAQ">SEDG</a>) slipped 5.2% to $18.81 in pre-market trading. GLJ Research analyst Gordon Johnson, on Wednesday, maintained SolarEdge with a Sell and raised the price target from $3.9 to $6.9.</li>
<li>CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) fell 2.8% to $60.35 in pre-market trading. Shares of health insurance stocks fell after CMS announced a strategy to enhance and accelerate Medicare Advantage audits.</li>
</ul>
Now Read This:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45540545/jim-cramer-recommends-not-buying-mosaic-doesnt-like-this-industrial-stock"> </a>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45540545/jim-cramer-recommends-not-buying-mosaic-doesnt-like-this-industrial-stock">Jim Cramer Recommends Not Buying Mosaic, Doesn&#8217;t Like This Industrial Stock</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Pre-Market Outlook

Movers

ARRY

MANU

SHLS

UPXI

UnitedHealth, CVS Health And Other Big Stocks Moving Lower In Thursday's Pre-Market Session

WIIM

ALHC

Shares of health insurance stocks are trading lower after CMS announced a strategy to enhance and accelerate Medicare Advantage audits.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) has lost nearly $140 billion from its market capitalization following a series of events such as downbeat Q1 results, CEO Andrew Witty stepping down and a potential criminal investigation by the Department of Justice.
What Happened: &nbsp;The health insurance giant&#8217;s shares plummeted by 22% after Witty&#8217;s alarming first-quarter results announcement in April.&nbsp;Witty resigned on May 13, citing personal reasons. The stock took another hit following reports of a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into potential criminal Medicare fraud by UnitedHealth, <a href="https://fortune.com/article/unitedhealth-group-andrew-witty-stephen-helmsley-stock/">reported </a>Fortune.
According to data from companies marketcap.com, UnitedHealth lost $140.53 billion in market capitalization since April 19. 
&nbsp;"This is a stock that every growth-oriented portfolio manager in the world owned for a decade and made money on it like clockwork," stated Whit Mayo from Leerink Partners, a health care investment bank. "It's stunning. It's unthinkable,&#8221; he added.
Meanwhile, Jared Holz, a health care analyst at Mizuho Group stated, &nbsp;"They've been completely incapable of forecasting their own business." Holz added that the repeated missteps—not just this week but since 2023—indicate that other key members of the management team may also need to be replaced.
Furthermore, some analysts speculate that relaxed prior authorization controls may be driving up costs. As Bernstein analyst Lance Wilkes told The Wall Street Journal, "UNH may be relaxing prior authorization and other claims controls in response to policy pressures."
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45541866/xi-jinpings-china-wants-trump-to-immediately-drop-the-golden-dome-project-over-strong-offensive-implicati" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Xi Jinping&#8217;s China Wants Trump To Immediately Drop The Golden Dome Project Over &#8216;Strong Offensive Implications:&#8217; &#8216;&#8230;Security Of All Countries Should Not Be Compromised&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Between 2013 and 2023, UnitedHealth's net income quadrupled from $5.6 billion to $22 billion, and its stock delivered a 715% return—far outpacing the S&amp;P 500's 158% gain. However, now things have deteriorated. 
Witty&#8217;s explanation for the poor Q1 results failed to appease analysts, with the company&#8217;s financial statements revealing issues across multiple divisions, particularly in its Medicare Advantage health care insurance business. This was due to an unexpected increase in the rate of health care usage by beneficiaries
Despite the disappointing results, some analysts remained bullish on UnitedHealth for the long term because it remains a dominant player in the industry, employing nearly 400,000 people and serving millions. 
However, the recent events, including the DOJ probe and the CEO&#8217;s resignation, have led to a loss of confidence in the company, with some key asset managers even&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45533883/exclusive-unitedhealth-gets-dumped-why-this-asset-manager-says-insurer-is-no-longer-a-safe-bet">dumping the stock</a>. Tom Hulick, CEO of Strategy Asset Managers shared an exclusive insight with Benzinga wherein he mentioned &#8220;a deterioration in fundamentals&#8221;&nbsp;as the primary reason for liquidating his position in the stock. 
Analyst Whit Mayo opined that the only way new CEO Stephen J. Hemsley can restore investor, customer, and employee confidence in UHG is by letting results speak for themselves.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that UnitedHealth has a weak price trend over the short, medium and long term. Its quality ranking is moderate at the 58th percentile, whereas its momentum ranking is poor at the 12th percentile; the details of other metrics are available <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNH">here</a>.
On Monday, the stock fell 5.78% to close at $302.98. On a year to date basis, it plunged nearly 40%, according to data from<a href="http://pro.benzinga.com"> Benzinga Pro</a>. 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45557355/elon-musk-wants-the-us-government-to-hang-up-the-phone-government-is-wasting-about-100-million-per-year-on-u" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Wants The US Government To Hang Up The Phone: &#8216;Government Is Wasting About $100 Million Per Year On Unused Phone Lines&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

As UnitedHealth Wipes Out 'Unthinkable' $140 Billion In Market Value Since April, Analysts Weigh In On The Road Ahead

The House Rules Committee advanced President Donald Trump&#8217;s &#8220;One Big Beautiful Bill Act&#8221; in an 8-4 vote following a marathon 22-hour hearing, setting up a potential overnight floor vote as Republicans push forward with the $4.9 trillion legislative package despite internal GOP divisions.
What Happened: House Republicans made key concessions to appease conservative and moderate holdouts before advancing the megabill, as <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/committee-advances-trump-megabill-full-house-after-aimed/story?id=122059925">reported</a> by ABC News.
The committee approved accelerated Medicaid work requirements starting December 31, 2026, instead of 2029, while raising the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000 for incomes under $500,000, up from the current $10,000 limit established in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The revised bill also expedites cuts to Biden-era clean energy tax credits, requiring new projects to break ground within 60 days or be &#8220;placed in service&#8221; by end-2028.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security receives $12 billion through September 2029 for border security reimbursements to states.
Texas Rep. Chip Roy was notably absent from the committee vote, while Democrats employed stalling tactics on the House floor to slow the bill&#8217;s progress. The changes came after Trump met Wednesday with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Freedom Caucus members following failed Tuesday negotiations, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt calling the meeting &#8220;productive.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45557725/as-microsoft-faces-internal-protests-over-israel-ties-workers-say-emails-with-palestine-and-gaza-are-getting-censored-companywide-report">Microsoft Faces Employee Protests Over Email Censorship, Satya Nadella-Led Company Explains Rationale</a>
Why It Matters: The bill&#8217;s passage would significantly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45506863/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-advances-heres-who-wins-and-loses">impact multiple sectors</a>. Defense contractors including RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>), Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>), and Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAH#NYSE">BAH</a>) could benefit from increased military spending provisions.
Conversely, Medicaid managed care organizations face enrollment volatility risks, potentially affecting UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), Centene Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNC#NYSE">CNC</a>), and Elevance Health Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>).
Clean energy stocks, including First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>), Enphase Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENPH#NASDAQ">ENPH</a>), and Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUN#NASDAQ">RUN</a>), dropped on Monday as investors weighed reduced tax credit impacts.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects the legislation would increase the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/05/45536595/big-beautiful-bill-will-explode-the-deficit-and-make-the-rich-richer-congressional-budget-office-estimates-4-income-fall-for-lowest-decile-of-americans-by-2033">federal deficit by $3.8 trillion</a> while reducing Medicaid subsidies by $698 billion and SNAP spending by $267 billion.
The CBO analysis shows that the lowest income decile would lose approximately 2% of household resources in 2027 and 4% by 2033, while the highest decile gains 4% in 2027.
Senate Republicans have already signaled plans for additional changes, creating uncertainty for the final passage of Trump&#8217;s signature legislative priority.
Read Next:
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

House Advances Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' After Key Medicaid, Tax, And Border Security Changes

In a volatile trading session on Wednesday, the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq indices faced downward pressure as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/05/45550679/treasury-yields-top-5-these-20-stocks-tanked-in-just-one-hour">Treasury yields spiked above 5%</a>. This surge in yields led to a broad selloff, particularly impacting high-growth and tech stocks. The S&amp;P 500 fell by 1.6% to 5,844.61, while the Nasdaq dropped by 1.4% to 18,872.64. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 1.9% to 41,860.44.
These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>)
UnitedHealth&#8217;s shares dropped 5.78% to close at $302.98. The stock hit an intraday high of $309.96 and a low of $300.07, with a 52-week range of $630.73 to $248.88. In the after-hours session, the stock declined 3.1% to $293.50. HSBC analyst Sidharth Sahoo <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45542169/this-unitedhealth-group-analyst-turns-bearish-here-are-top-3-downgrades-for-wednesday">downgraded UnitedHealth</a> Group from Hold to Reduce and slashed the price target from $490 to $270.
Snowflake Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNOW#NYSE">SNOW</a>)
Snowflake shares fell 2.06% to $179.12, with a high of $184.09 and a low of $178.91. The stock&#8217;s 52-week range is $194.40 to $107.13. Snowflake stock spiked over 7% to $192.30 in after-hours trading as the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/05/45553121/snowflake-q1-earnings-revenue-eps-beat-estimates-ai-data-cloud-company-sees-25-growth-ahead-shares-climb">better-than-expected first-quarter earnings</a>, with revenue of $1.04 billion and adjusted earnings of 24 cents per share.
Navitas Semiconductor Corporation&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVTS#NASDAQ">NVTS</a>)
Navitas Semiconductor saw its stock decline by 4.50%, closing at $1.91. The day&#8217;s high was $2.06, and the low was $1.88, with a 52-week range of $5.14 to $1.52. Navitas shares spiked as much as 188% to $5.50 in the after-hours trading. The company announced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/05/45554132/navitas-semiconductor-shares-soar-on-nvidia-collaboration">collaboration with NVIDIA</a> on next-generation architecture, which initially boosted the stock. 
Nike, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>)
Nike&#8217;s stock decreased by 4.12% to $59.98, reaching a high of $61.76 and a low of $59.88. The 52-week range stands at $98.04 to $52.28. Nike stock gained 1.7% in the after-hours traidng. The decline came despite news of Nike <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/contracts/25/05/45555035/nike-stock-sprints-higher-after-hours-as-retailer-returns-to-amazon-report">returning to sell</a> on Amazon after a six-year hiatus.
Target Corporation&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>)
Target shares fell 5.21% to $93.01, with an intraday high of $95.31 and a low of $90.60. The stock&#8217;s 52-week range is $167.40 to $87.35. The company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45548732/target-under-strain-analyst-cautions-on-inventory-margins-amid-dei-and-tariff-issues">reported first-quarter sales</a> of $23.85 billion, missing analyst expectations. The retailer lowered its guidance for the financial year 2025 from the $8.80-$9.80 range to the $7 to $9 range.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows Nike checks out in terms of price trend in the short term, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">find out</a> how it ranks on other metrics.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="443" height="278" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/21213507/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-10.34.52.png" alt="" class="wp-image-923655" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/21213507/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-10.34.52.png 443w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/21213507/Screenshot-2025-05-22-at-10.34.52-300x188.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 443px) 100vw, 443px" /></a></figure>
Photo Courtesy: Tada Images On Shutterstock.com
Prepare for the day&#8217;s trading&nbsp;<a href="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/Premarket%20Movers%20&amp;%20News">with top premarket movers and news</a>&nbsp;by Benzinga.
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Unitedhealth, Snowflake, Navitas, Nike, And Target: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Health care stocks including UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>) and CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) are tanking in Wednesday's extended trading after the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a significant expansion of its auditing efforts for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/45529802/unitedhealth-insiders-double-down-is-unh-stock-a-value-play">Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. </a>
The Details: The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services said <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-rolls-out-aggressive-strategy-enhance-and-accelerate-medicare-advantage-audits">it will audit</a> all eligible MA contracts for each payment year in newly initiated audits and invest additional resources to expedite the completion of audits in its backlog. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/05/45524565/nvidias-1-trillion-comeback-shows-deepseek-no-longer-spooks-wall-street?utm_source=articleShare">Nvidia&#8217;s $1 Trillion Comeback Shows DeepSeek No Longer Spooks Wall Street&nbsp;</a>
"We are committed to crushing fraud, waste and abuse across all federal healthcare programs," said Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator.&nbsp;
"While the Administration values the work that Medicare Advantage plans do, it is time CMS faithfully executes its duty to audit these plans and ensure they are billing the government accurately for the coverage they provide to Medicare patients," Dr. Oz added.&nbsp;
The Trump administration will deploy advanced technology, expand the CMS workforce from 40 to 2,000 medical coders and increase its audit volume to all MA plans each year.&nbsp;
CMS also said that its last significant recovery of MA overpayments occurred following the audit of payment year 2007 and estimates suggest MA plans may overbill the government by approximately $17 billion annually.&nbsp;
CMS will now collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General to recover uncollected overpayments identified in past audits.
UNH, ELV, CVS Price Action: After-hours on Wednesday, UnitedHealth stock was down 3.87% at $291.26, Elevance Health stock was down 1.28% at $394.99 and CVS Health shares were down 4.56% at $59.28 at the time of publication.
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Image: Shutterstock

Government

Large Cap

After-Hours Center

Health Care Stocks Like UnitedHealth, CVS Tank On Wednesday: Here's Why

<h2>CMS Rolls Out Aggressive Strategy to Enhance and Accelerate Medicare Advantage Audits</h2>

Biotech

CLOV

EHTH

ELEV

GOCO

'CMS Rolls Out Aggressive Strategy To Enhance And Accelerate Medicare Advantage Audits; Agency Will Begin Auditing All Eligible Medicare Advantage Contracts Each Payment Year And Add Resources To Expedite Completion Of 2018 To 2024 Audits'

Press Releases

UNH Investors Have Opportunity to Lead UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Securities Fraud Lawsuit First Filed by the Firm

UNH Investors Have Opportunity to Join UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Fraud Investigation with the Schall Law Firm

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INCORPORATED (NYSE: UNH) SHAREHOLDER ALERT Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reminds UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Investors of Upcoming Deadline

United Health Group Incorporated Investigated for Securities Fraud Violations - Contact the DJS Law Group to Discuss Your Rights - UNH

INVESTOR ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Reminds Investors with Losses on their Investment in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated of Class Action Lawsuit and Upcoming Deadlines - UNH

UNH INVESTOR ALERT: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC Announces that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Investors with Substantial Losses Have Opportunity to Lead Class Action Lawsuit

ROSEN, TRUSTED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action Commenced by the Firm– UNH

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Investors: Please contact the Portnoy Law Firm to recover your losses. July 7, 2025 Deadline to file Lead Plaintiff Motion.

ROSEN, RECOGNIZED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action Commenced by the Firm– UNH

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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
11:13 AMMay 13, 2025	PUT	$450.00	Jul 18, 2025	53	196	39	82	238	SWEEP	BULLISH
10:56 AMMay 13, 2025	PUT	$420.00	Jul 18, 2025	53	190	82	28	684	SWEEP	NEUTRAL
09:55 AMMay 13, 2025	PUT	$440.00	Jul 18, 2025	53	112	58	45	248	SWEEP	BULLISH
09:42 AMMay 13, 2025	PUT	$300.00	Mar 20, 2026	298	108	349	129	84	SWEEP	BEARISH
10:02 AMMay 09, 2025	CALL	$250.00	Jun 17, 2027	752	200	194	20	1025	SWEEP	BULLISH
12:05 PMMay 07, 2025	CALL	$250.00	Jun 17, 2027	752	202	98	39	515	TRADE	BULLISH
10:01 AMMay 07, 2025	PUT	$410.00	Sep 19, 2025	116	710	700	100	711	TRADE	BULLISH