WellPoint Likely to Exceed Its FY12 Forecasts

Health-insurance giant WellPoint (NYSE:WLP) said Monday it will likely exceed its earlier-provided guidance for fiscal 2012 thanks to a favorable tax settlement in the fourth quarter.

The Indianapolis-based company said actual full-year results are expected to be above the previous guidance range of $7.37 to $7.47 because of tax gains.

Excluding the one-time settlement, it anticipates results coming in “near the high end or slightly above” its earlier non-GAAP outlook of $7.30 to $7.40. Analysts in a Thomson Reuters poll are calling for slightly stronger earnings, excluding items, of $7.46.

“Off this base, WellPoint continues to expect relatively stable adjusted net income in 2013 and a lower share count due to capital deployment,” the insurer said in a statement released Tuesday morning.

WellPoint forecasts moderate adjusted income growth in 2013, including integration costs related to the $4.5 billion Amerigroup acquisition announced in July.

The company is expected to report fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year results later this month.