UnitedHealth on Tuesday forecast 2026 adjusted profit slightly above analysts' estimates, in a sign that medical cost-control measures under CEO Stephen Hemsley were beginning to reap results. ...

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group reported a modest earnings beat for the fourth quarter but provided soft revenue guidance for 2026, indicating challenges due to higher medical costs and a strategic turnaround plan [1][3]. Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter, UnitedHealth's adjusted earnings per share were $2.11, slightly above the expected $2.10, while revenue was $113.2 billion, below the anticipated $113.82 billion [9]. - The company expects 2026 revenue to exceed $439 billion, reflecting a 2% year-over-year decline, which is the first revenue decline in a decade [3][4]. Strategic Changes - UnitedHealth is implementing a turnaround strategy that includes shrinking membership, raising prices, cutting benefits, and increasing transparency to restore profitability and reputation [2]. - The company is focusing on American domestic businesses and divesting operations in the U.K. and South America [5]. Membership and Medical Costs - A significant decline in U.S. membership is expected, with a reduction of more than 3 million members in 2026 [4]. - Medical costs for Medicare Advantage patients have increased due to a rise in hospital visits for delayed procedures, although costs in the fourth quarter were high but not exceeding expectations [7]. Medicare Impact - The transition to Medicare's new coding system (V28) is expected to result in a $6 billion revenue hit in 2026, affecting both UnitedHealthcare and its Optum health-care unit [5]. - Proposed flat payment rates for Medicare Advantage by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have negatively impacted shares of UnitedHealth and other insurers [6]. Medical Benefit Ratio - For 2026, UnitedHealth anticipates a medical benefit ratio of 88.8%, an improvement from the 89.1% ratio reported for 2025, indicating better profitability [8].

The Trump administration proposed keeping Medicare rates roughly flat this year. ...

With U.S. stock futures trading mixed this morning on Tuesday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:Wall Street expects General Motors Co (NYSE:GM) to report quarterly earnings at $2.20 per share on revenue of $45.80 billion before the opening bell, according to data from Benzinga Pro. GM shares fell 0.5% to $79.05 in after-hours trading.W R Berkley Corp (NYSE:WRB) reported in-line earnings for the fourth quarter, while sales topped estimates. The company posted quarterly ear ...

The shares of UnitedHealth, Humana and other health insurers were clobbered on Tuesday after a preliminary payment proposal for Medicare Advantage fell way short of analyst expectations. ...

Market Overview - US stock futures increased, with S&P 500 rising 0.3% and Nasdaq 100 advancing 0.6%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures remained stable [1] - Investors are focused on the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision, with expectations of holding the benchmark rate steady [4] Earnings Reports - Key earnings reports due include General Motors, American Airlines, and Boeing [2] - Over 90 S&P 500 companies are set to report earnings, including major players like Meta, Microsoft, Tesla, and Apple [3] Health Insurance Sector - Health insurer stocks experienced significant declines after a report indicated Medicare payments would increase by only 0.09% for 2027, falling short of Wall Street expectations [7] - Humana's stock dropped 12.5%, CVS Health fell over 10% before settling at a 9.4% loss, and UnitedHealth Group's shares decreased by 8.6% [8] Political and Economic Risks - President Trump announced an increase in tariffs on South Korean products from 15% to 25%, affecting various sectors including autos and pharmaceuticals [5] - A potential government shutdown looms as Senate Democrats oppose a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security [6]

US stock futures mostly moved higher on Tuesday as tech hopes offset Trump worries, with a slide in UnitedHealth (UNH) dragging on the Dow and Wall Street weighing a long-awaited India-EU trade deal. S&P 500 futures (ES=F) rose 0.3%, while those on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) climbed 0.7%. But Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) dropped roughly 0.3% on the heels of gains for Wall Street indexes. Trade drama gripped markets, schooled by the Greenland crisis to stay alert even with a packed e ...

US stock futures mostly moved higher on Tuesday as tech hopes offset Trump worries, with a slide in UnitedHealth (UNH) dragging on the Dow and Wall Street weighing a long-awaited India-EU trade deal. S&P 500 futures (ES=F) rose 0.3%, while those on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) climbed 0.7%. But Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) dropped roughly 0.3% on the heels of gains for Wall Street indexes. Trade drama gripped markets, schooled by the Greenland crisis to stay alert even with a packed e ...

US stock futures mostly moved higher on Tuesday as tech hopes offset a growing list of political worries, with a slide in UnitedHealth (UNH) dragging on the Dow and Wall Street weighing a long-awaited India-EU trade deal. S&P 500 futures (ES=F) rose 0.3%, while those on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) climbed 0.7%. But Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) dropped roughly 0.3% on the heels of gains for Wall Street indexes. Trade drama gripped markets, schooled by the Greenland crisis to stay aler ...

Market Overview - The S&P 500 is rallying, nearing all-time highs, with a 0.6% increase, while small caps have outperformed, with the Russell 2000 down about 0.4% [1] - Gold prices have risen above $5,000 an ounce, increasing by about 0.9%, as investors seek refuge in hard assets amid geopolitical uncertainties [1] - The U.S. dollar has decreased by more than 1.5% recently, marking its worst three-day loss since mid-April, as speculation grows for a weaker dollar [1] Earnings Season Insights - This week is significant for earnings, with major companies like Microsoft, Tesla, and Apple reporting, which could impact market narratives [1][2] - The tech sector is expected to have the most significant impacts, with companies like Apple and Microsoft not reaching record highs since late 2022 [1][2] - Concerns are raised about capital expenditures, particularly following Intel's recent earnings report, which highlighted spending worries [1][2] Company-Specific Developments - Cisco has been upgraded by Evercore ISI, citing high single-digit sales growth potential and a refreshed product cycle, which could lead to sustained revenue growth [4] - NVIDIA is investing an additional $2 billion in CoreWeave to enhance AI computing capacity, raising concerns about vendor financing dynamics [4][5] - USA Rare Earth has secured a $1.6 billion investment from the government to boost domestic production of rare earth elements, with expectations for commercial scale by 2030 [6][7] Currency and Economic Policy - The recent coordinated intervention by the U.S. and Japan to support the Japanese yen has been noted as a significant market event, with implications for U.S. dollar policy [5] - Analysts suggest that a weaker dollar could benefit U.S. equity markets, although there are concerns about potential risks if equities decline [6]