UnitedHealth beats Street 3Q forecasts

In all, UnitedHealth’s earnings were essentially flat at $1.6 billion.

Many analysts have commented on the company rating.

UnitedHealth is the first of five large publicly traded insurers to report earnings, even as competitors Anthem Inc (ANTM.N) and Aetna Inc (AET.N) are in the midst of consolidating the industry from five national players to three. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $135.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Research Analysts at Zacks have ranked the company at 2, suggesting the traders with a rating of buy for the short term. The stock now has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $138.39. The company now has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $138.39. The company has a 52-week high of $126.21. JP Morgan initiates coverage on UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH).

Services up 19.7% year over year with revenues of $3.04 billion. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $118.02 and its 200 day moving average price is $119.01.

Shares in UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH) were under the weather in pre-market trading despite the health insurer’s results topping expectations. That compares with earnings of $1.6 billion, or $1.63 per share, in last year’s quarter, when the company had more shares outstanding. That compares to a gain of $270 million recorded in last year’s quarter. However, analysts were projecting a profit of $1.64 per share on revenue of $40.4 billion. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.64%. In this transaction, 50,000 shares were sold at $117.62 per share.

Operating costs climbed to $38.47 billion from $29.9 billion previous year, mainly due to increased cost of products sold. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link.

What’s ahead for UnitedHealth?UnitedHealth also gave investors a few reassurance that the health-insurance giant is still on track with its longer-term business strategy. UnitedHealthcare provides health care benefits to markets and various customers. Optum is a health services company serving the healthcare marketplace, including payers, care providers, employers, Governments, life sciences companies and consumers. UnitedHealthcare comprises UnitedHealthcare worldwide & Person, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, UnitedHealthcare Community & State and UnitedHealthcare Company. OptumHealth is a health and wellness business serving the psychological, physical and fiscal needs of people.