UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s first-quarter net income rose 3 percent as enrollment and revenue gains countered an increase in operating costs, and the health insurer raised its 2012 earnings forecast.

The Minnetonka, Minn., company said Thursday it earned $1.39 billion, or $1.31 per share, in the three months that ended March 31. That's up from $1.35 billion, or $1.22 per share, in the same quarter last year. Revenue grew 7 percent to $27.28 billion.

The performance topped Wall Street expectations. Analysts surveyed by FactSet forecast, on average, earnings of $1.16 per share on $27.01 billion in revenue.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO, part of your ALM digital membership.

  • Critical BenefitsPRO information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.