UnitedHealth beats third-quarter forecasts and raises full-year guidance

UnitedHealth Group reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of $4.69 a share, well ahead of the $4.14 FactSet consensus, and raised its full-year adjusted guidance to at least $20.50 a share from a $19.50 to $20.00 range.

Why it matters: The largest US health insurer is the sector's cost and enrollment bellwether, and a medical cost ratio of 88.4% against 89.7% expected suggests the medical-cost pressure that hit the industry in 2025 is easing.

Data as of UnitedHealth third-quarter 2026 results released Tuesday, October 13, 2026, read in full from the company release; consensus figures are FactSet's as reported by Dow Jones.

UnitedHealth Group’s third-quarter net income rose to $4.11 billion, or $4.56 a share, from $2.35 billion a year earlier, on revenue of $112.7 billion, and the company raised its full-year adjusted earnings outlook to at least $20.50 a share, above the $19.80 analysts had pencilled in. The medical care ratio came in at 88.4%, better than the 89.7% consensus, helped by $610 million of favourable reserve development, while Optum Health’s operating earnings recovered to about $735 million from $41 million a year ago. Enrollment continued to shrink as the group exits unprofitable business, with 48.3 million people served against 50.1 million a year earlier.

UnitedHealth beats third-quarter forecasts and raises full-year guidance

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