UnitedHealth Group (UNH) Q3 2025 Financial Results Summary
(October 28, 2025) UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) reported its third quarter 2025 results, indicating a solid ongoing commitment to growth and operational performance.
Key Highlights
- Third Quarter Revenues:
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Reached $113.2 billion, a 12% increase compared to $100.8 billion in Q3 2024.
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Earnings:
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Reported earnings of $2.59 per share; adjusted earnings were $2.92 per share.
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Cash Flows from Operations:
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Totaled $5.9 billion, equating to 2.3 times net income.
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Earnings Outlook:
- Full Year 2025 earnings outlook raised to at least $14.90 per share, with adjusted earnings expectations of at least $16.25 per share.
Financial Performance Metrics
Consolidated Overview
- Revenues:
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$113.2 billion vs. $100.8 billion (Year-over-Year, +12%)
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Earnings from Operations:
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$4.3 billion, down 50% compared to $8.7 billion in Q3 2024.
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Net Margin:
- Stood at 2.1%, decreasing from 6.0% in the previous year.
Detailed Breakdown
- UnitedHealthcare:
- Revenues: $87.1 billion, representing a 16% growth from $74.9 billion year-over-year.
- Earnings from Operations: $1.8 billion, a 57% decline from $4.2 billion in the same quarter last year.
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Operating Margin: 2.1%, down from 5.6% a year ago.
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Optum:
- Revenues: $69.2 billion, growing 8% compared to $63.9 billion year-over-year.
- Earnings from Operations: $2.5 billion, down 44% from $4.5 billion in Q3 2024.
- Operating Margin: 3.6%, reduced from 7.0% year-over-year.
Major Components
- UnitedHealthcare’s Businesses:
- Employer & Individual Segment revenues were stable at $19.9 billion (compared to $19.8 billion in Q3 2024).
- Medicare & Retirement: Revenues reached $43.4 billion, a significant 24% increase from $34.9 billion.
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Community & State: Generated $23.8 billion (up 18%), although the number of members served decreased by 30,000.
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Optum Performance:
- Optum Health: Revenues were flat at $25.9 billion.
- Optum Rx: Revenues increased 16% to $39.7 billion, benefiting from heightened script volumes.
Operational Efficiency
- Medical Care Ratio (MCR): Remained stable at 89.9%, albeit a 470 basis points increase year-over-year, attributed to rising medical costs and changes in Medicare funding.
- Operating Cost Ratio: Adjusted to 13.5%, compared to 13.2% in Q3 2024.
Shareholder Returns
- Quarterly Dividend:
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The company paid $5.9 billion in dividends, marking a slight increase from $5.6 billion in Q3 2024.
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Share Repurchase Program:
- UnitedHealth Group repurchased shares amounting to $5.5 billion in the quarter, compared to $4.0 billion the previous year.
Conclusion
The overall financial performance of UnitedHealth Group in Q3 2025 indicates a robust growth strategy in various segments, despite facing challenges in margin performance and operating costs. Ongoing commitments in shareholder returns through dividends and share repurchase also reflect the company’s confidence in its future capabilities and market position.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data; unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 | Nine Months Ended | September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | |||||
| Premiums | $88,979 | $77,442 | $263,418 | $232,327 | |
| Products | $13,296 | $12,631 | $39,896 | $36,751 | |
| Services | $9,754 | $9,104 | $27,765 | $26,742 | |
| Investment and other income | $1,132 | $1,643 | $3,273 | $3,651 | |
| Total revenues | $113,161 | $100,820 | $334,352 | $299,471 | |
| Operating costs | |||||
| Medical costs | $79,958 | $65,957 | $231,954 | $197,150 | |
| Operating costs | $15,223 | $13,280 | $42,595 | $40,519 | |
| Cost of products sold | $12,566 | $11,834 | $37,975 | $34,230 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | $1,099 | $1,041 | $3,244 | $3,058 | |
| Total operating costs | $108,846 | $92,112 | $315,768 | $274,957 | |
| Earnings from operations | $4,315 | $8,708 | $18,584 | $24,514 | |
| Interest expense | -$1,003 | -$1,074 | -$3,028 | -$2,903 | |
| Loss on sale of subsidiary and subsidiaries held for sale | -$83 | -$20 | -$139 | -$8,331 | |
| Earnings before income taxes | $3,229 | $7,614 | $15,417 | $13,280 | |
| Provision for income taxes | -$686 | -$1,356 | -$2,828 | -$3,822 | |
| Net earnings | $2,543 | $6,258 | $12,589 | $9,458 | |
| Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | -$195 | -$203 | -$543 | -$596 | |
| Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders | $2,348 | $6,055 | $12,046 | $8,862 | |
| Diluted earnings per share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders | $2.59 | $6.51 | $13.21 | $9.53 | |
| Adjusted earnings per share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders (a) | $2.92 | $7.15 | $14.22 | $20.85 | |
| Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 908 | 930 | 912 | 930 |
(a) See page 12 for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions; unaudited)
| September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||
| Cash and short-term investments | $30,614 | $29,113 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $22,672 | $22,365 |
| Other current assets | $41,781 | $34,301 |
| Total current assets | $95,067 | $85,779 |
| Long-term investments | $52,996 | $52,354 |
| Other long-term assets | $167,206 | $160,145 |
| Total assets | $315,269 | $298,278 |
| Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity | ||
| Medical costs payable | $40,181 | $34,224 |
| Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt | $7,737 | $4,545 |
| Other current liabilities | $67,608 | $65,000 |
| Total current liabilities | $115,526 | $103,769 |
| Long-term debt, less current maturities | $72,399 | $72,359 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $21,531 | $19,559 |
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | $4,244 | $4,323 |
| Equity | $101,569 | $98,268 |
| Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity | $315,269 | $298,278 |
