WASHINGTON (AP) - UnitedHealth Group said Thursday that its second-quarter net income rose 5.5 percent, trumping Wall Street expectations, as enrollment gains helped fuel revenue growth and consumers continued to moderate their use of health care services.
UnitedHealth's enrollment grew about 4 percent to 35.9 million compared to last year's second quarter, led by gains in Medicare and Medicaid plans and commercial coverage, which includes employer-sponsored and individual plans. That contributed to an 8.3 percent jump in revenue to $27.3 billion.
The company raised its full-year earnings estimate to between $4.90 and $5.00 per share. That was up from a prior estimate of between $4.80 and $4.95. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected earnings of $4.99 per share.
The insurer usually beats analyst expectations for the quarter. Investors like UnitedHealth's business diversity, which helps it handle changes in enrollment or other insurer pressures on profitability.
Its shares fell $1.36, or 2.4 percent, to close at $54.99 Thursday. The stock is 9.5 percent below the 52-week high of $60.75 set in mid-June.
The Minnetonka, Minn., insurer said it earned $1.34 billion, or $1.27 per share, in the three months that ended June 30. That's up from $1.27 billion, or $1.16 per share, in the same quarter last year.
Analysts forecast earnings of $1.18 per share on $27.34 billion in revenue.
UnitedHealth and other health insurers have been helped in recent quarters by health care use that has risen at rates that were slower than expected when they set premiums. Industry analysts and other experts have said use tends to rise at slower levels after a recession, as consumers cut back on spending.
UnitedHealthcare, the company's largest segment, reported an 8 percent rise in revenue to $25.5 billion. The business, which includes individual and employer-sponsored group coverage, enrolled 1.7 million new customers in the past year. The unit's medical loss ratio, which reflects premium revenue spent on paying medical bills, rose 10 points to 80.8 year-over-year. The company said it expects that ratio to rise in the second half of the year.
Enrollment in the company's Medicare Advantage rose by 85,000 people during the period. Medicare Advantage plans are privately-run offerings that provide the same coverage as the government's health plan for seniors.
"We anticipate continued steady growth next year as well, because of the ongoing entrance into Medicare of millions of seniors, our expanding market presence and the consistently high consumer value our programs offer," said CEO Stephen Hemsley
Health insurance is UnitedHealth's biggest business, but it also operates segments that sell wellness programs and information services. UnitedHealth's Optum businesses provide services like health management technology outsourcing and pharmacy benefits. The business' revenue rose 21 percent to $2 billion for the quarter.
UnitedHealth Group Inc. is the largest health insurer based on revenue and the first to report earnings every quarter. Many see the company as a bellwether for managed care companies. WellPoint, the second-largest insurer, reports its results July 25. Aetna Inc. follows on July 31, Cigna Corp. reports Aug. 2, and Humana Inc. releases results Aug. 6.