Overview
- UnitedHealth beat Q1 estimates with revenue of $111.7 billion and adjusted earnings of $7.23 per share, then lifted full‑year guidance to above $18.25.
- The medical benefit ratio fell to 83.9%, below the roughly 85.5% forecast, meaning the insurer paid a smaller share of premiums in medical claims.
- Management authorized a $2 billion share repurchase that is slated to finish by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
- The company disclosed the purchase of Alegeus Technologies and moved to standardize electronic prior authorization across its plans to cut paperwork and speed decisions, with coverage expanding to over 70% by late 2026.
- Analysts raised targets and ratings, including JPMorgan to $420, yet ongoing probes into Medicare Advantage risk‑adjustment and last year’s 35% stock slide leave investors cautious about how durable the improvement will be.