Shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) gained ground on Friday after the insurance and health services provider posted better-than-expected results and boosted its guidance.

UnitedHealth reported fiscal 2023 third-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of $6.56. Revenue advanced 14% to $92.4 billion. Both beat analysts' expectations.

The company pointed to a 22% gain in revenue at its Optum health se﷽rvices unit, and a 13% ♑rise in sales at the UnitedHealthcare healthcare benefits group, for the strong numbers.

UnitedHealth’s medical care ratio, which measures cost of claims versus premiums collected, was 82.3%🐠, up from 81.6% a year earlier but down from 83.2% in the second quarter.

The company had 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:warned in June about 🐠higher medical insurance payouts as those over the age of 65 were opting for more elective surgeries after putting them ꦜoff during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

UnitedHealth raised the low end of its full-year EPS outlook to $24.85 from $24.70. It kept the high end the same at $25.

UnitedHealth Group shares were up more than 2% in afternoon trading, at their highest levels since last December.