Shareholders appeared unconcerned with UnitedHealth Group Incorporated's (NYSE:UNH) lackluster earnings report last week. We did some digging, and we believe the earnings are stronger than they seem.

View our latest analysis for UnitedHealth Group

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

For anyone who wants to understand UnitedHealth Group's profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit was reduced by US$8.3b due to unusual items. While deductions due to unusual items are disappointing in the first instance, there is a silver lining. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. And that's hardly a surprise given these line items are considered unusual. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect UnitedHealth Group to produce a higher profit next year, all else being equal.

That might leave you wondering what analysts are forecasting in terms of future profitability. Luckily, you can click here to see an interactive graph depicting future profitability, based on their estimates.

Our Take On UnitedHealth Group's Profit Performance

Unusual items (expenses) detracted from UnitedHealth Group's earnings over the last year, but we might see an improvement next year. Because of this, we think UnitedHealth Group's earnings potential is at least as good as it seems, and maybe even better! On the other hand, its EPS actually shrunk in the last twelve months. The goal of this article has been to assess how well we can rely on the statutory earnings to reflect the company's potential, but there is plenty more to consider. Keep in mind, when it comes to analysing a stock it's worth noting the risks involved. For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of UnitedHealth Group.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of UnitedHealth Group's profit. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with high insider ownership.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.