UnitedHealth Beats Q1 Estimates, Raises Outlook

UnitedHealth Group reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter results on Tuesday, beating Wall Street estimates for earnings and revenue while raising its full-year profit outlook amid ongoing efforts to manage elevated medical costs and streamline operations.

The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based health care company, which operates UnitedHealthcare and Optum, posted adjusted earnings per share of $7.23, surpassing the average analyst estimate of $6.58. Revenue reached $111.7 billion, up 2 percent from the prior year and above projections of $109.4 billion. Net income stood at $6.28 billion, or $6.90 per share, compared with $6.29 billion, or $6.85 per share, in the first quarter of 2025. The medical care ratio, which measures medical expenses as a percentage of premiums, improved to 83.9 percent from 84.8 percent a year earlier, reflecting pricing discipline, favorable reserve development and cost management. However, the company noted that elevated utilization trends and higher unit costs continued to offset some gains.

Membership in UnitedHealthcare plans totaled 49.1 million at quarter's end, down from 49.8 million at the close of 2025, as the company exited unprofitable...