Shares of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) were pulling back Thursday after the company delivered underwhelming fourth-quarter results, as sales were weaker than expected and its costs rose. Revenue in the quarter rose by 6.

Adjusted per-share earnings in the fourth quarter for UnitedHealth top analysts’ estimates but revenue comes up short.

The S&P 500 slid 0.2% on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, losing momentum after posting solid gains driven by earnings and inflation optimism in the previous session.

But high medical costs contributed to results that disappointed Wall Street, and the company’s stock fell on the news that it had made less than analysts expected.

Shares of UnitedHealth Group ( UNH 1.68%) were pulling back in December due to a backlash against the company following the murder of one of its executives and reports of a potential crackdown on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), including UnitedHealth's OptumRx.

UnitedHealth Group shares fell Thursday after the company reported fourth-quarter results that missed analysts' expectations.

UnitedHealth Group recorded slightly higher earnings in the fourth quarter, though its sales gains fell short of analyst projections.

UnitedHealth Group reported a fourth-quarter profit on Thursday that beat analysts' estimates as the healthcare conglomerate spent less on covering members' medical costs. On an adjusted basis, the company earned $6.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH reported fourth-quarter 2024 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $6.81, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.71. The bottom line advanced 10.6% year over year.