UnitedHealth shares dip on mixed earnings outlook

UnitedHealth Group issued financial guidance late Monday that included a projected range for 2018 earnings that dipped below analysts expectations. Its shares fell about 1 percent in after-hours trading.

In advance of an investor conference in New York Tuesday, UnitedHealth said it expects adjusted earnings of between $10.55 and $10.85 per share on revenue of at least $223 billion during for the full-year 2018.

Analysts had been projecting earnings of $10.83 per share for 2018, on $218.4 billion in revenue.

For 2017, the company said it expects revenue to exceed $200 billion, with adjusted earnings to approach $10 per share, which the company said is consistent with guidance provided last month with its third-quarter earnings release.

At that time, analysts had been expecting 2017 adjusted earnings of between $9.75 to $9.90.

For the third quarter, UnitedHealth reported adjusted earnings of $2.66, beating analysts estimates by 10 cents a share.

UnitedHealth issued its latest guidance after the close of regular trading Monday. In after-hours trading, its stock fell about 1.08 percent, to $210.10. Year-to-date, shares are up about 30 percent.