UnitedHealth Posts Higher Q3 Profit; Narrows 2013 EPS View - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) posted a slight increase in third-quarter net earnings attributable to common shareholders to $1.57 billion or $1.53 per share, from $1.56 billion, or $1.50 per share reported a year back, supported by steady enrollment growth in each of its benefits businesses and Optum's strong and well-diversified revenue growth and exceptional margin expansion. On average, 20 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of $1.53 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.

During the recent quarter, the firm clocked $30.62 billion in total revenues, versus the prior-year figure of $27.3 billion. Analysts estimated revenues of $30.78 billion for the quarter.

For 2013, the company tightened its net earnings outlook to $5.40 - $5.50 per share on annual revenues expected to reach $122 billion, representing double-digit percentage year-on-year growth. Analysts project earnings of $5.51 per share and revenue of $122.68 billion for the year. Earlier, full-year net earnings per share were estimated to be in the range of $5.35 - $5.50.