Core Viewpoint - Centene Corporation reported a fourth-quarter adjusted loss despite revenue exceeding Wall Street expectations, primarily due to high costs in the Commercial segment, leading to a more than 6% drop in shares following the announcement [1]. Financial Performance - The company recorded an adjusted loss of $1.19 per share for the quarter, which was slightly better than analyst expectations of a $1.22 loss [2]. - Revenue increased by 23% year over year to $49.73 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $48.39 billion [2]. - The consolidated health benefits ratio (HBR) rose sharply to 94.3%, compared to 89.6% in the same quarter last year [2]. Segment Analysis - The Commercial segment had an HBR of 95.4%, which was approximately 100 basis points above company expectations due to net out-of-period items [3]. - The Medicaid segment showed improvement with an HBR of 93.0%, reflecting a 40-basis-point sequential improvement from the third quarter [3]. Future Guidance - For the full year 2025, Centene reported adjusted earnings of $2.08 per share on revenue of $194.78 billion, indicating a 20% increase compared to 2024 [4]. - The company provided guidance for 2026, projecting adjusted earnings per share of more than $3.00, demonstrating confidence in its recovery efforts [4].

If you're investing in a dividend stock, it's important to track its performance to see if there are any warning signs that might affect its ability to pay its current rate of dividends in the future. It's those early signs that can save you from a huge disappointment later on. One stock investors have been worried about these days is UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). While it's a top health insurer in the country, rising medical costs have been weighing on its financials, and the stock price has been declin ...

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) has shown a significant bullish technical signal with the formation of its first golden cross since July 2024, indicating potential recovery after a substantial earnings-driven decline [1][3]. Stock Performance - UNH stock has experienced a peak-to-trough decline of approximately 48%, trading around $287, down from highs above $550 in 2024 [2]. - The stock saw a sharp drop of about 20% in January 2026 following disappointing Q4 2025 earnings and a weaker outlook for 2026 [3]. Technical Indicators - The 50-day moving average recently crossed above the 200-day moving average, suggesting improving short-term momentum after a prolonged bearish trend [1][3]. - The $330–$350 price zone remains a critical resistance level that needs to be reclaimed for a sustainable trend reversal [4]. Financial Performance - UnitedHealth reported Q4 2025 revenue of $113.2 billion, which fell short of expectations by approximately $530 million [4]. - Although adjusted EPS of $2.11 met forecasts, the focus was on underlying weaknesses, particularly the 2026 revenue guidance projected at over $439 billion, significantly below the consensus of around $454 billion [5]. - This guidance indicates a rare year-over-year revenue decline from 2025's revenue of about $447.6 billion, challenging previous growth assumptions [6].

Shares of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) stock crashed nearly 20% yesterday after reporting a tiny sales miss in its Q4 earnings report -- and a gigantic disappointment on profits. Although UnitedHealth's non-GAAP earnings hit analyst targets, when calculated under generally accepted accounting principles, UnitedHealth's GAAP earnings for Q4 2025 basically vanished -- down nearly 100% year over year at just $0.01 per share. But here's the good news: Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just ...

Elevance Health forecast 2026 profit below Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, as the health insurer expects higher medical costs to persist into the year. ...

Earnings Reports - Boeing (BA) reported a Q4 loss of -$1.91 per share after excluding a one-time sale of Digital Aviation Solutions for $10.55 billion, with revenues up +57% year over year to $23.95 billion [1] - UnitedHealth (UNH) beat earnings estimates by 2 cents at $2.11 per share, but revenues fell slightly by -0.04% to $113.22 billion, leading to a pre-market share drop of -15% [2] - General Motors (GM) exceeded earnings expectations with $2.51 per share, a +14% beat, and reported quarterly revenues of $45.29 billion, down -1.83%, while announcing a +20% increase in dividends [3] - United Parcel Service (UPS) posted earnings of $2.38 per share on revenues of $24.48 billion, beating estimates by +7.2% and +1.95% respectively, although shares were trading modestly down after initial gains [4] Market Expectations - January Consumer Confidence is anticipated to be reported at 90, slightly above the previous month's 89.1, but still below the 100 points average seen over the past four years, reflecting consumer strain from a delicate labor market and policy shifts [5] Upcoming Earnings - Texas Instruments (TXN) is expected to report Q4 earnings with flat year-over-year growth but a +10.7% increase in revenues, continuing a streak of eight consecutive quarterly earnings beats, with the stock up +13% since the start of the year [6]

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth raised its annual profit forecast after reporting better-than-expected quarterly earnings, attributed to effective management of medical costs [1] Company Summary - UnitedHealth reported quarterly earnings that exceeded market expectations, indicating strong financial performance [1] - The company has successfully kept medical costs in check, contributing to its improved profit outlook [1] Industry Summary - The performance of UnitedHealth reflects broader trends in the U.S. health insurance industry, where cost management is becoming increasingly critical for profitability [1]

分组1 - UnitedHealth Group is set to release its third-quarter earnings results, with analysts expecting earnings of $2.81 per share, a significant decrease from $7.15 per share in the same period last year [1] - The consensus estimate for quarterly revenue is $113.06 billion, an increase from $100.82 billion a year earlier [1] - Goldman Sachs analyst initiated coverage on UnitedHealth Group with a Buy rating and a price target of $406 [2] 分组2 - UnitedHealth Group currently offers an annual dividend yield of 2.44%, with a quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share, totaling $8.84 annually [2] - To earn $500 monthly from dividends, an investment of approximately $246,138 or around 679 shares is required, while $100 monthly would need about $49,300 or 136 shares [3] - The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the stock's current price, which can fluctuate based on stock price changes [4] 分组3 - Changes in dividend payments can impact the yield; an increase in dividends raises the yield if the stock price remains constant, while a decrease lowers it [5] - UnitedHealth Group's shares rose 0.6% to close at $362.50 [5]

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group's upcoming third-quarter earnings report on October 28 is crucial for determining whether the stock's recent rally will continue or reverse [1]. Group 1: Earnings and Stock Performance - The company has faced challenges with rising medical costs, leading to missed expectations and a significant 30% decline in stock price this year [2]. - The stock is currently trading at a low price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 15, significantly below its five-year average of 25 and the average for the S&P 500 [3]. - UnitedHealth's updated guidance projects adjusted earnings per share for the full year to be at least $16, indicating a strong and profitable business [4]. Group 2: Investment Considerations - The current low valuation provides a margin of safety for investors, limiting downside risk in case of disappointing earnings [4]. - Given the negative news already priced into the stock, a deep decline post-earnings is unlikely unless unexpected issues arise [4]. - The stock is viewed as a good long-term investment opportunity at its discounted price [5].

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth continues to provide steady dividend payments despite facing challenges in the market, with a recent quarterly cash dividend of $2.21 per share announced [1][2]. Dividend Information - The quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share will be payable on September 23 to shareholders of record as of September 15, translating to $221 for an individual holding 100 shares [2]. - On an annualized basis, the dividend amounts to $8.84 per share, offering a yield of just over 3% at current prices [2]. - UnitedHealth has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years, with a payout ratio of 48.63%, indicating that nearly half of earnings are directed toward dividends [3]. Stock Performance - UnitedHealth shares are attempting to recover from recent losses, closing at $308.49, which is down 38% year-to-date despite a 1.4% increase on the day [4]. - The stock received a boost after Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a $1.6 billion stake in August, which helped restore some investor confidence [6]. Analyst Insights - Bank of America Securities raised its price target on UnitedHealth to $325 from $290 while maintaining a 'Neutral' rating, citing potential for earnings recovery by 2027 but warning of limited near-term visibility due to regulatory and cost pressures [7]. - Investor sentiment has been affected by leadership changes, uncertainty around financial guidance amid rising costs, and ongoing investigations by the Department of Justice [9].