Humana Tops Estimates, Lifts Guidance
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (
) --
Humana
(HUM) - Get Report
raised its full-year earnings forecast after third-quarter earnings topped the company's internal estimates and the views of analysts.
Humana, the health benefits company, earned $393.2 million, or $2.32 a share, in the third quarter vs. $301.5 million, or $1.78, a year earlier. The latest quarter includes gains of 31 cents a share from favorable prior-period medical claims developments.
Humana said its internal guidance was $1.65 to $1.75 a share; analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected Humana to earn $1.66.
Humana said third-quarter revenue rose 9% to $8.42 billion.
Humana said it expects earnings of about $6.40 to $6.50 a share for the year ending Dec. 31, "reflecting the improved operating performance and the expectation of a Tricare contract extension."
Analysts expect Humana to earn $6.42 a share in 2010.
-- Written by Joseph Woelfel
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