UPDATE: UnitedHealth Group Q4 Profit Beats Expectations; Shares Rise

Shares of UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH gained around 1.9% in pre-market trading after the company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company posted quarterly net earnings of $1.5 million, or $1.55 per share, compared to $1.4 million, or $1.41 per share, in the year-earlier period. Its revenue climbed to $33.43 billion from $31.12 billion. However, analysts were eprojecting earnings of $1.50 per share on revenue of $33.11 billion. UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual revenue dropped $1.8 billion to $43 billion in 2014, while UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement revenue gained 5% to $46.3 billion in 2014. UnitedHealthcare Community & State revenue climbed 29% to $23.6 billion in 2014, while UnitedHealthcare Global's revenue rose 9% to $6.9 billion in 2014. “We enter 2015 with a positive outlook and rising business momentum. Steady innovation and year by year advances in the quality, breadth and value of our services to employers, government sponsors, consumers and care providers are creating opportunities for revenue and earnings growth in traditional and new markets,” said Stephen J. Hemsley, chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealth projects 2015 earnings of $6 per share to $6.25 per share, on revenue of $140.5 billion to $141.5 billion. Analysts projected earnings of $6.17 per share on revenue of $140.82 billion. UnitedHealth shares rose 1.93% to $107.66 in pre-market trading.