Have you been eager to see how UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH – Free Report) performed in Q3 in comparison with the market expectations? Let’s quickly scan through the key facts from this Minnesota-based health insurer’s earnings release this morning:

An Earnings Beat

UnitedHealth came out with earnings per share of $2.66, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.57. Results were aided by higher revenues from both its segments – UnitedHealthcare and Optum.

How Was the Estimate Revision Trend?

You should note that the earnings estimate for UnitedHealth depicted optimism prior to the earnings release. The Zacks Consensus Estimate increased marginally over the last 30 days.

Also, UnitedHealth has a decent earnings surprise history. Before posting earnings beat in Q3, the company delivered positive surprises in all the trailing four quarters. Overall, the company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by an average of 4.6% in the trailing four quarters.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated Price and EPS Surprise

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Revenue Came In-line with the Expectation

UnitedHealth posted revenues of $50.3 billion, increasing 8.7% year over year. The reported figure was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Key Stats for Q3:

Consolidated medical care ratio of 81.4% increased 110 basis points year-over-year.

Operating cost ratio of 14.7% wasdown 50 basis points year-over-year.

The company medical enrollment grew to 49 million from 48.1 million in the year ago quarter.

Guidance Update

The company now expects 2017 GAAP net earnings to approach $9.45 per share and adjusted net earnings to approach $10.00 per share.

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