UnitedHealth Posts Q2 Beat, Raises Outlook; What Other Managed Care Names Will Be Reporting Soon?

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH) on Thursday reported its second quarter results. The company earned $1.64 per share, exceeding the $1.59 per share analysts were expecting. Similarly, revenue of $36 billion topped the $35.66 billion analysts were expecting.

Concurrent with its results, UnitedHealth raised its 2015 earnings per share guidance to a range of $6.25 to $6.35, higher than the previous $6.15 to $6.30 it projected and appears favorable versus the consensus estimate of $6.26. The company also guided its full year sales to approximately $154 billion, exceeding the $143.6 billion consensus estimate.

UnitedHealth noted that earnings for the quarter rose 11 percent or $3.7 billion from the same quarter a year ago. Revenue growth was broad-based as both UnitedHealthcare and Optum revenue grew by a double digit percentage point.

Cash flow from operations grew 15 percent year-over-year to $1.2 billion while net earnings for the quarter also rose 15 percent to $2.9 billion from a year ago.

The company also increased its annual dividend payment rate to $2.00 per share, marking a 33 percent boost.

Here is a look at when some of UnitedHealth's peers will report their own quarterly results, based on Estimize's calendar:

• Aetna Inc (NYSE: AET) is scheduled to report its second quarter results August 4 before market open.
• CIGNA Corporation (NYSE: CI) is scheduled to report its second quarter results July 30 before market open.
• Centene Corp (NYSE: CNC) is scheduled to report its second quarter results July 28 before market open.
• Health Net, Inc. (NYSE: HNT) has no current date set for its second quarter results.
• Universal American Corporation (NYSE: UAM) is scheduled to report its second quarter results July 28 before market open.