via WSJ
United Health Group Inc. reported a better-than-expected 5.8% increase in earnings for its December quarter, as the health-care company continued to benefit from the growth in premium revenue outpacing medical costs.
Shares of UnitedHealth were up $3.70, or 3.5%, to $109.32 in 4 p.m. New York Stock Exchange composite trading Wednesday.
UnitedHealth, like its fellow health insurers, has sought to contain costs related to medical care, particularly as expensive, high-profile treatments for hepatitis C and cancer enter the market. Meanwhile, the company has benefited from growth in its government-sponsored plans as well as its health-services arm.
Overall, for the period ended Dec. 31, UnitedHealth posted earnings of $1.51 billion, or $1.55 a share, up from $1.43 billion, or $1.41 a share, a year earlier. Revenue improved 7.4% to $33.43 billion…
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