UnitedHealth Q2 2026 earnings beat forecasts, lift outlook

UnitedHealth Group reported second-quarter earnings on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that significantly exceeded analyst expectations and prompted the healthcare giant to raise its full-year profit forecast. The strong results, driven by improved medical cost management and robust performance in its Optum services division, sent the company's shares up approximately 7% in premarket trading.

For the quarter ended June 30, the company posted adjusted earnings per share of $6.38, a substantial increase from the $4.08 reported in the same period last year. This result topped the consensus analyst estimate, which ranged between $4.85 and $4.91. Revenue reached $112.03 billion, slightly above the $110.8 billion analysts had projected and up from $111.62 billion a year earlier.

A key metric, the medical cost ratio, improved to 86.7%, down from 89.4% in the second quarter of 2025. Company executives attributed the improvement to redesigned benefit plans, updated pricing strategies, and ongoing cost controls. Chief Financial Officer Wayne DeVeydt noted the gains were partly due to cost controls in the Medicare business and higher payments for Medicaid plans. He cautioned, however, that the...