UPDATE: WellPoint Posts Drop In Q4 Profit

WellPoint WLP reported a 68% drop in its fourth-quarter profit. For 2014, WellPoint expects earnings of at least $8 per share on operating revenue of around $73 billion. However, analysts expected earnings of $8.39 per share on revenue of $73.67 billion. WellPoint's quarterly profit surged to $148.2 million, or $0.49 per share, from a year-ago profit of $464.2 million, or $1.51 per share. Excluding one-time items, it earned $0.87 per share. Its total operating revenue climbed 16% to $17.65 billion. However, analysts were projecting earnings of $0.87 per share on revenue of $17.78 billion. WellPoint shares closed at $84.30 yesterday.