UN
UNH
Latest · Mar 31, 2026
Quarter ended Mar 31, 2026 · FY2026 Q1

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated stock research

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Mar 31, 2026

Current quarter free cash flow and margin improved significantly compared to both the prior quarter and the same quarter one year earlier, driven by a substantial increase in operating cash flow. Capital expenditure was lower than both comparison periods.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Current quarter free cash flow and margin improved significantly compared to both the prior quarter and the same quarter one year earlier, driven by a substantial increase in operating cash flow. Capital expenditure was lower than both comparison periods.

  • Revenue was slightly lower than the prior quarter but higher than the year-ago quarter. Operating cash flow increased sharply relative to both periods, leading to a higher free cash flow margin.
  • Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, free cash flow and margin improved markedly, while revenue was slightly lower. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, free cash flow and margin were higher, with revenue also higher.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$19.7B

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$8.1B

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$8.9B

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$763.0M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

7.3%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

TTM FCF yield

5.2%

TTM FCF divided by market capitalization.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2025-06-30$111.6B$7.2B$886.0M$6.3B5.6%
2025-09-30$113.2B$5.9B$890.0M$5.1B4.5%
2025-12-31$113.2B$1.1B$948.0M$160.0M0.1%
2026-03-31$111.7B$8.9B$763.0M$8.1B7.3%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income129.8%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue0.7%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cash-$49.9BCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

Supportive

Operating Cash Flow Surge

Operating cash flow increased significantly from both the prior quarter and the year-ago quarter, serving as the primary driver of the improvement in free cash flow.

The higher operating cash flow more than offset the slightly lower revenue and reduced capital expenditure, resulting in a much stronger free cash flow margin.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Revenue was slightly lower than the prior quarter but higher than the year-ago quarter. Operating cash flow increased sharply relative to both periods, leading to a higher free cash flow margin.

Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, free cash flow and margin improved markedly, while revenue was slightly lower. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, free cash flow and margin were higher, with revenue also higher.

Monitor the net accounts receivable balance, which increased from the prior quarter, alongside other current receivables that decreased.

Valuation context

A cash-flow page should show how much investors are paying for the cash stream, without turning into a full DCF.

Market capitalization$380.1BUsed as the denominator for FCF yield.
TTM FCF yield5.2%TTM free cash flow divided by market capitalization.
EV / TTM FCF21.9xA quick valuation bridge, not a full DCF.

Peer context

Free cash flow quality is easier to read against related public companies.

UN
UNH

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

FCF margin

7.3%

FCF yield

5.2%