UPDATE: WellPoint Q4 Profit Up 38%

WellPoint WLP reported a 38% rise in its fourth-quarter earnings. WellPoint expects full-year earnings of at least $7.60 per share on revenue of $71.5 billion to $73 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $7.98 per share on revenue of $72.46 billion. WellPoint's quarterly profit surged $464.2 million, or $1.51 per share, from $335.3 million, or $0.96 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, it earned $1.03 per share. Its total operating revenue rose 0.6% to $15.27 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.95 per share on revenue of $15.28 billion. Its operating margin declined to 2.8% from 3.4%. WellPoint shares closed at $63.80 yesterday.