10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2001

UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2001

Filed November 13, 2001For Securities:UNH

Summary

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) reported a solid third quarter ending September 30, 2001, with revenues increasing by 11% year-over-year to $5.9 billion. Net earnings grew by 27% to $231 million, translating to diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.71, up 31% from the prior year. This performance demonstrates the company's ability to grow its top line while effectively managing costs and driving profitability. The company's diversified business segments, including Health Care Services, Uniprise, Specialized Care Services, and Ingenix, all contributed to the revenue growth, with Health Care Services and Uniprise showing particularly strong performance. UnitedHealth Group also highlighted significant improvements in operating cash flow, which increased by 53% to $1.48 billion for the nine-month period, underscoring its strong operational execution and financial health. The company also continued its share repurchase program, demonstrating a commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Key Highlights

  • 1Consolidated revenues grew 11% year-over-year to $5.9 billion for the third quarter.
  • 2Net earnings increased 27% to $231 million.
  • 3Diluted earnings per share (EPS) rose 31% to $0.71 compared to the prior year's third quarter.
  • 4Operating cash flow for the nine-month period increased by 53% to $1.48 billion.
  • 5The Health Care Services segment showed robust revenue growth of 10% year-over-year.
  • 6Uniprise segment revenue increased by 12% year-over-year, driven by strong growth in its multi-site customer base.
  • 7The company continued to repurchase its common stock, demonstrating confidence and commitment to shareholder value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Revenue growth was driven by a combination of factors across segments. In Health Care Services, premium revenues increased by 9% due to average premium yield increases above 13% on commercial renewals. Management services fees saw significant growth (28% and 23% for the quarter and nine months, respectively), primarily from Uniprise's multi-site customer base, UnitedHealthcare's fee-based business, and Ingenix. Investment and other income also saw an increase.

The company demonstrated effective cost management. The medical care ratio (excluding AARP) remained stable at 83.9% year-over-year, indicating that premium yield increases kept pace with medical cost inflation. Operating costs, as a percentage of total revenues, saw a slight increase to 17.1% due to investments in growth and new programs, but underlying productivity gains were noted.

UnitedHealth Group is involved in several class-action lawsuits targeting the managed care industry, generally concerning practices like cost containment and payment methodologies. While the company is defending these cases vigorously, it states that it does not believe the outcome of any currently pending or threatened actions, individually or in aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

During the first nine months of 2001, UnitedHealth Group repurchased 16.2 million shares for $945 million. Since the program's inception in November 1997, a total of 109.1 million shares have been repurchased for $3.6 billion. As of September 30, 2001, the company had authorization to purchase an additional 12.1 million shares.