Investing.com -- UnitedHealth Group shares rose more than 2% in Tuesday premarket trading after the health insurer reported third-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street estimates and raised its full-year profit outlook.

Earnings per share were $4.69, topping the $4.12 analysts expected. Revenue was $112.7 billion, roughly flat year-over-year, and ahead of the $111.31 billion consensus.

Operating margin widened to 5.8% from 3.8% a year earlier.

The medical care ratio, the share of premiums spent on patient care, fell to 88.4% from 89.9% a year earlier, better than the 89.9% analysts expected. The operating cost ratio improved to 12.8% from 13.5%, though that was slightly worse than the 12.6% estimate.

By segment, UnitedHealthcare, the insurance business, posted revenue of $86.33 billion, down 0.8% from a year earlier but above the $84.87 billion estimate. Optum revenue fell 3.3% to $66.88 billion, slightly ahead of the $66.48 billion estimate.

Within Optum, the pharmacy benefits unit OptumRx reported revenue of $39.93 billion, up 0.6% and above the $38.81 billion estimate. OptumInsight revenue was $5.47 billion, versus the $5.4 billion estimate. OptumHealth fell short, with revenue of $22.91 billion against the $23.37 billion estimate.

UnitedHealth now expects 2026 earnings per share of at least $20.50, up from prior guidance of $19.50 to $20, and above the $19.87 consensus estimate.

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