WellPoint 2Q Earnings Pregame Scorecard

Last quarter WellPoint (NYSE:WLP) topped estimates by 6 cents per share, and it is scheduled to report again on Wednesday.

Expectations

Analysts currently expect WellPoint to come in with earnings of $2.05 per share on revenues of $15.27 billion. Analyst estimates range from earnings per share to earnings per share. Over the past three months, the average estimate has moved down from $2.08.

Stock Movement

In terms of price changes, the stock's best recent streak was when it gained $4.02 per share between June 4, 2012 and June 12, 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 4.5% in the second quarter of the last fiscal year, 5.5% in the third quarter of the last fiscal year and 4.6% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year before increasing again in the first quarter. Net income has dropped by an average of 14.2% for the last four quarters during the run in to this earnings announcement.

Stock Ratings

Analysts are bullish on the stock as 10 analysts rate it as a buy and there are no sell ratings. Analyst sentiment has been improving recently, as the average rating risen slightly over the past three months.

Last Quarter's Results

In the first quarter, profit fell 7.6% to $856.5 million ($2.53 a share) from $926.6 million ($2.44 a share) the year earlier, but exceeded analyst expectations. Revenue rose 3.5% to $15.42 billion from $14.89 billion.

Summary

Reporting Period: 2Q

Date of Release: Wednesday, July 25, 2012

EPS: $2.05

Revenue Estimate: $15.27 billion

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