UnitedHealth Group 2Q Earnings Pregame Scorecard

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) has beaten estimates for five straight quarters and will go for a sixth when it reports again on Thursday, July 19, 2012.

Expectations

Analysts currently expect UnitedHealth Group to come in with earnings of $1.19 per share on revenues of $27.34 billion. Estimates range from $1.15 per share to $1.35 per share. Over the past two months, the average estimate has moved down from $1.20.

Last Quarter's Results

In the first quarter, profit rose 3.1% to $1.39 billion ($1.31 a share) from $1.35 billion ($1.22 a share) the year earlier, exceeding analyst expectations. Revenue rose 7.3% to $27.28 billion from $25.43 billion.

Stock Ratings

Analysts are bullish on the stock as 15 analysts rate it as a buy and there are no sell ratings. Analyst sentiment has been waning recently, as the average rating has dropped slightly over the past three months.

Stock Movement

The stock fell $4.72 per share between June 28, 2012 and July 3, 2012.

Company Fundamental Trends On the top line, the company is looking to build on four-straight revenue increases heading into this earnings announcement. Revenue rose 8.5% in the second quarter of the last fiscal year, 6.8% in the third quarter of the last fiscal year and 7.8% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year before increasing again in the first quarter. Profit has increased by a year-over-year average of 9% for the last four quarters, as the company has experienced a string of success recently.

Summary

Reporting Period: 2Q

Date of Release: Thursday, July 19, 2012 before market open

EPS: $1.19

Revenue Estimate: $27.34 billion

(Company fundamentals by Xignite Financials. Earnings estimates provided by Zacks)