Investing.com -- UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) reported second quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations across earnings, revenue and guidance, sending shares up 7% premarket as investors responded positively to the healthcare giant's improved outlook.

The company posted adjusted earnings of $6.38 per share, beating the analyst consensus of $4.85 by $1.53. Revenue reached $112.0 billion, surpassing the $110.76 billion estimate and up slightly from $111.6 billion in the prior year quarter.

UnitedHealth raised its full-year 2026 adjusted earnings guidance to $19.50 to $20.00 per share, with a midpoint of $19.75 that exceeds the analyst consensus of $18.48.

"Our results and outlook reflect the continuing progress in our work to simplify how we operate, improve both affordability and the health care experience for patients and care providers and apply modern technology to create real improvement for people," said Stephen Hemsley, chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group.

The company's medical care ratio improved to 86.7% in the second quarter from 89.4% in the prior year period, driven by benefit design changes, pricing discipline and medical cost management. Earnings from operations reached $8.0 billion compared to $5.2 billion in the second quarter of 2025.

UnitedHealthcare served 48.5 million consumers and reported revenues of $86.0 billion with earnings of $3.9 billion. The segment's operating margin expanded to 4.6% from 2.4% in the prior year quarter. Optum generated revenues of $65.7 billion and earnings of $4.0 billion, representing 160 basis points of margin expansion YoY.

Cash flows from operations were $11.1 billion, or 1.9 times net income. The company repurchased $4.0 billion of its common stock through mid-July and expects to repurchase at least $5.0 billion for the full year.

UnitedHealth also raised its full-year cash flow guidance to approximately $24.0 billion from over $18.0 billion previously.