Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Steven Halper reiterates an Overweight rating on shares of UnitedHealth with a $300 price target following the company's "solid" Q2 results. Although revenue growth "was solid," there may be some investor concern about the UnitedHealthcare segment margin, which declined year-over-year, Halper tells investors in a research note. The company indicated that positive prior-period development was lower than expected, the analyst notes. He says he's "not too concerned about this as medical cost trends remain in line with expectations." Halper believes UnitedHealth is "nicely diversified and should remain a core holding in all large-cap portfolios."

Deutsche Bank analyst George Hill raised the firm's price target on UnitedHealth to $562 from $545 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The company reported a Q1 earnings beat with many moving pieces caused by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare, which left earnings quality and guidance up to investor interpretation, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm sees the full impact of the hack, as well as conservatism around cost trend and utilization would impact UnitedHealth earnings by only 2% for the full year.

Notable gainers among liquid option names this morning include Genuine Parts (GPC) $159.09 +15.03, Globe Life (GL) $66.97 +3.74, Anthem (ELV) $532.10 +23.13, United Continental (UAL) $50.59 +1.84, and UnitedHealth (UNH) $494.80 +15.81.

Unusual total active option classes on open include: Wrap Technologies (WRAP), AstraZeneca (AZN), JetBlue (JBLU), United Continental (UAL), Taiwan Semi (TSM), Nokia (NOK), EBay (EBAY), Maplebear Inc (CART), Airbnb (ABNB), and UnitedHealth (UNH).