UNH / Q3 2026 (FQ3 2026 - Sep 2026)

UnitedHealth

Reported 2026-10-13

Published forecast

Oct 11, 2026, 11:13 PM PDT

Opus 5.5 High in Shortcut

Shortcut

4.29

Shortcut normalized EPS

+3.4% vs Street

Street

4.15

Street normalized EPS

Frozen October 11 snapshot

Real

4.69

Issuer adjusted diluted EPS

Shortcut win

Shortcut off by $0.40 · Street off by $0.54.

Uses issuer adjusted EPS of $4.69, consistent with the forecast’s adjusted earnings basis, rather than GAAP EPS of $4.56.

Issuer earnings release ↗

USD per diluted share

Explore the model.

Open the assumptions and calculations behind this earnings forecast.

Open in Shortcut ↗Download XLSX ↓

Behind the estimate.

The model expects a medical care ratio of 89.5%, below the Street range cited in its research. That improves underwriting profit while Optum earnings follow management’s expected second-half cadence.

Revenue is built from membership, premiums and the Optum businesses. The adjusted EPS bridge includes amortization and South America items, partly offset by a loss-contract release.

Forecast and independent review: Opus 5.5 High in Shortcut.

Model assumptions and review notes

Investment income uses an earlier annual management guide. The model assumes that outlook remains applicable.
Some Optum detail and balance-sheet allocations are residual estimates. The adjusted EPS bridge follows the disclosed model assumptions.

On the record.

Reporting period: Q3 2026 (FQ3 2026 - Sep 2026), ended 2026-09-30
Reporting basis: Forecast normalized diluted EPS; issuer-style adjusted bridge with disclosed forecast assumptions
Published: Oct 11, 2026, 11:13 PM PDT
Model / effort: Opus 5.5 · High effort

Original forecasts, models and publication times remain on the record.

Research sources