UPDATE: UnitedHealth Posts Upbeat Q4 Earnings

UnitedHealth Group

reported an 18% rise in its fourth-quarter earnings. UnitedHealth's quarterly profit surged to $1.43 billion, or $1.41 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $1.24 billion, or $1.20 per share. Its revenue jumped to $31.1 billion from $28.8 billion. However, analysts were projecting earnings of $1.40 per share on revenue of $31 billion. UnitedHealth shares closed at $74.84 yesterday.