UnitedHealth lifts 2026 outlook after Q3 earnings beat estimates
What's new: The insurer now expects at least $20.50 a share for 2026, and its medical cost ratio beat analyst forecasts.
UnitedHealth Group raised its full-year profit outlook after third-quarter earnings topped Wall Street estimates, helped by better-than-expected medical costs and stronger operating results at UnitedHealthcare and Optum. The company said it now expects 2026 adjusted earnings of at least $20.50 per share, up from prior guidance of $19.50 to $20. UnitedHealth reported adjusted earnings of $4.69 per share on revenue of $112.69 billion, beating LSEG estimates of $4.14 and $111.40 billion. Net income rose to $4.11 billion from $2.35 billion a year earlier. Its medical cost ratio was 88.4%, below the 89.9% analysts expected, though CFO Wayne DeVeydt said care costs remain elevated versus historical norms. Shares rose about 3% in premarket trading.