UnitedHealth raises 2026 profit forecast after earnings beat
The insurer's medical cost ratio came in at 88.4% for the quarter, better than the 89.9% analysts had modeled, according to StreetAccount.
By The Carnegie Standard Staff
· 1 min read
UnitedHealth Group reported third-quarter results on October 13, 2026 that topped Wall Street forecasts and lifted its guidance for the year, saying it now expects adjusted earnings of no less than $20.50 a share, above an earlier range of $19.50 to $20, CNBC reported.
Net income came to $4.11 billion, or $4.56 a share, against $2.35 billion, or $2.59 a share, a year earlier. Stripping out divestitures, restructuring and a reserve reduction tied to unprofitable contracts, the company earned $4.69 a share. Revenue slipped to $112.69 billion from $113.16 billion. Both UnitedHealthcare and the Optum unit beat operating earnings estimates, according to StreetAccount.
The insurer has been trimming membership, dropping contracts that lose money and spending on artificial intelligence and value-based care arrangements. Its medical cost ratio was 88.4%, compared with the 89.9% analysts expected.
Wayne DeVeydt, chief financial officer, told CNBC that medical costs remain above historical levels and that the dispute resolution process under the No Surprises Act adds at least 1 percentage point to total medical costs. He said acute hospital admissions among members dropped 15% year over year through the quarter while home health admissions climbed 10%.
This story was first reported by CNBC.
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