UPDATE: UnitedHealth Posts In-Line Q4 Profit

UnitedHealth Group

reported in-line fourth-quarter profit. UnitedHealth's quarterly net income came in at $1.24 billion, or $1.20 per share, versus $1.26 billion, or $1.17 per share, in the year-ago period. Its shares outstanding fell 3.5% to 1.04 billion. Its revenue rose to $28.77 billion from $25.92 billion. However, analysts were expecting a profit of $1.20 per share on revenue of $28.23 billion. UnitedHealth projects 2013 earnings of $5.25 to $5.50 per share on revenue of $123 billion to $124 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $5.56 per share on revenue of $122.07 billion. UnitedHealth shares closed at $53.66 yesterday.