UnitedHealth Raises 2026 Earnings Guidance After Strong Third Quarter

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) reported third-quarter earnings and revenue above expectations on Tuesday and increased its full-year 2026 earnings guidance. CEO Stephen Hemsley attributed the results to stronger execution and operational discipline as the company works to simplify health care for patients and providers. 15.

403 billion. 9% a year earlier. The company cited better medical cost management, improved pricing and benefits alignment, and enhancements in care delivery. The ratio also reflected $610 million in favorable prior-period reserve development related to 2026 dates of service.

5% a year earlier as UnitedHealth continued modernizing operations and streamlining administrative processes. 3 billion. 1 billion, compared with a year earlier. 3 million people during the quarter.

9 billion, reflecting fewer value-based care patients in markets where the business lacked the scale to support its clinicians. 9 billion. In September, UnitedHealth sold a stake in certain Optum Health operations in Florida to private equity firm TPG Inc. (NASDAQ: TPG).

The deal was part of the company's broader effort to improve Optum's profitability after last year's sharp earnings downturn. 50 to $20. 86. 95.

35 per share. UnitedHealth executives said they expect both favorable and unfavorable factors to Management said current analyst consensus estimates may “understate the opportunity ahead” and considers the lower end of its long-term earnings growth target of 13% to 16% a more reasonable basis for its 2027 earnings per share forecast. Executives also said medical care intensity remains above historical levels, though trends are showing signs of stabilization. The company expects 2026 to be a low point for its core Medicaid margins, which it projects will be slightly better than negative 1%.

13 in Tuesday's premarket trading, according to Pro data.