UnitedHealth Group reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $6.38 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.94 and rising 56.4% year over year, while revenues edged up 0.4% to $112 billion. The adjusted medical care ratio improved to 86.7% from 89.4% a year earlier, reflecting stronger pricing and better cost management, and medical costs fell to $75.4 billion from $78.6 billion. Management raised its full-year 2026 adjusted earnings outlook to a range of $19.50 to $20 per share, marking the second consecutive quarter of guidance increases. The stock has gained 29.9% year to date, outperforming the industry's 25.8% growth and the S&P 500's 7.8% rise, though it now trades at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 20.39 times, above its five-year median of 19.20 times. Despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny and expected membership declines, the company returned more than $13 billion to shareholders in 2025 through dividends and buybacks, and it currently carries a Zacks Rank of 1, or Strong Buy.
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Molina Healthcare IncUnitedHealth Group IncorporatedBeat earnings estimates, improved medical care ratio, and raised full-year outlook.