UnitedHealth Reports Revenue, Earnings Ahead Of Forecast

Managed health care company UnitedHealth Group Inc. on Thursday reported third-quarter earnings of $1.597 billion, or $1.65 a share, compared with $1.602 billion, or $1.63 a share, in the same quarter a year ago. The number of shares outstanding decreased in the period, helping to boost the company's per-share performance. Revenue jumped 27% to $41.5 billion from $32.8 billion in the year-ago quarter. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected earnings of $1.64 a share on revenue of $40.4 billion. "Our 2015 results are reflecting balanced growth across a diversity of businesses and product categories. We believe this growth will continue," said chief executive Stephen Hemsley in the earnings release.