UnitedHealth's Acquisition of Amedisys: Hold Rating Maintained Amid Settlement Progress

William Blair analyst Matt Larew maintains a neutral stance on AMED stock with a Hold rating, citing progress in the UnitedHealth acquisition of Amedisys. The settlement between the Department of Justice and UnitedHealth/Amedisys has led to a rise in Amedisys's stock price, nearing the agreed deal price of $101. Larew considers the current stock price to reflect the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, thus justifying a Hold rating.

William Blair analyst Matt Larew has maintained a neutral stance on AMED stock, assigning a Hold rating. This decision comes amidst the ongoing acquisition of Amedisys by UnitedHealth Group. The stock price of Amedisys has seen a notable increase, nearing the agreed deal price of $101, following the settlement between the Department of Justice and UnitedHealth/Amedisys.

The settlement, which still awaits judicial approval, allows UnitedHealth to complete its $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys, provided the companies agree to sell 164 home health and hospice locations across 19 states [2]. This settlement resolves antitrust concerns raised by the government, which argued that the combination would harm competition by uniting two of the largest home health and hospice providers.

Larew's Hold rating reflects the anticipation of benefits from the acquisition, as evidenced by the stock price approaching the agreed deal price. The analyst considers the current stock price to be justified by the expected advantages of the acquisition. However, Larew's neutral stance suggests caution, acknowledging potential risks and uncertainties associated with the integration process.

The settlement and the rising stock price indicate that investors are optimistic about the potential synergies and cost savings that could arise from the merger. The agreement to divest certain assets to BrightSpring Health Services and The Pennant Group also addresses antitrust concerns, potentially paving the way for a smoother acquisition process.

References:
[1] https://www.investing.com/news/analyst-ratings/maxcyte-stock-downgraded-by-william-blair-to-market-perform-on-weak-guidance-93CH-4175497
[2] https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/07/doj-unitedhealth-agreement-amedisys-deal-divestitures/