UnitedHealth rises after raising 2026 profit forecast
BUZZ-UnitedHealth rises after raising 2026 profit forecast Updates
** Shares of health insurer UnitedHealth UNH.N rise 2.6% to $388.2
** Co now expects full-year 2026 adjusted net earnings of at least $20.50 per share, compared to its prior range of $19.50 to $20
** Jefferies says "we thought the guidance raise would be smaller, and thus, a $0.75+ FY26 EPS increase would get a more positive reaction than indicated so far"
** UNH posts Q3 adjusted profit of $4.69 per share, compared with analysts' estimate of $4.14 per share - data compiled by LSEG
** It reports Q3 revenue of $112.69 billion, compared with estimates of $111.4 billion
** Reports a Q3 medical cost ratio — the percentage of insurance premiums spent on medical care — of 88.4%, better than analysts' estimates and 89.90% the year earlier
** "The outperformance appears durable and in the right places," Jefferies adds
** Including session moves, stock up ~15% YTD
(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole)