Jan 16 (Reuters) - UnitedHealth Group UNH.N reported a fourth-quarter profit on Thursday that beat analysts' estimates as the healthcare conglomerate spent less on covering members' medical costs.
On an adjusted basis, the company earned $6.81 per share in the fourth quarter, compared with the average analyst estimate of $6.72 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.
(Reporting by Sriparna Roy and Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
((Sriparna.Roy@thomsonreuters.com;))