UnitedHealth profit surges 13 percent in third quarter, tops earnings estimates

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) on Tuesday reported higher third-quarter earnings, despite dwindling commercial enrollment in employer-sponsored health plans as U.S. jobs cuts mounted. The nation's largest health insurer reported it earned $1.04 billion, up 13 percent from $920 million a year ago.

On a per-share basis, the Minnetonka, Minn.-based company earned 89 cents a share, compared to 75 cents a share a year ago. UnitedHealth had been expected to report third-quarter earnings of 76 cents a share, according to a consensus estimate of 19 analysts polled by Zacks.com. The company is the first of the nation's large health insurers to report earnings.