UnitedHealth beats Q2 revenue estimates; lifts 2026 profit outlook

• Medical cost management — Lower medical care ratio driven by benefit design changes, pricing discipline, member mix and medical cost management initiatives.
• Optum operational improvements — Optum earnings growth supported by operational improvements and cost management, despite revenue decline at Optum Health.
• Higher operating costs — Operating cost ratio rose due to targeted investments in technology, operations and community support.

UnitedHealth raised its 2026 adjusted earnings per share outlook to $19.50-$20.00 from a prior forecast above $17.75.

The company also lifted its 2026 reported EPS outlook to $18.45-$18.95 from a prior forecast above $17.10.

UnitedHealth expects 2026 cash flows from operations of about $24 bln.

The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy" and the breakdown of recommendations is 24 "strong buy" or "buy", and .