UnitedHealth Group Q1 2026: Smashing Expectations

0:00United Health Group just dropped their first quarter 2026 numbers, and they smashed expectations with revenue hitting 111. Billion $700 million, up 2% from last year. Earnings per share came in at $6.90, adjusted at $7.23, and they bumped up the full year outlook to over. $17.35 per share, or more than $18.25 suggested. The big win was in costs, where the medical care ratio dropped to 83.9% from 84.8% a year ago. Thanks to tighter management and some favorable reserves, even as care use stayed high. Investors loved it, sending the stock up over 8% right after the report, as profits and revenue beat Wall Street forecasts and eased. Worries about ongoing pressures, like higher utilization. Not everything was perfect. Optum health revenue dipped 3% to $24 billion to $100 million, while other units like. United health care grew 4%, but management says recent changes are stabilizing operations

1:05across the board. This quarter shifts the narrative toward a solid recovery, with stronger cash flow at $8 billion, $900 million, and better debt. Control. Putting the focus back on execution for the rest of 2026, that's your update from Durham News today, powered by AI, I'm Corey with The Story.