UnitedHealth Group posted glowing second-quarter results yesterday, delivering a 38 percent increase in profit. Analysts are largely happy with company's recently announced plans to exploit the consumer-driven health trend, praising its decision to pursue an $8 billion merger with PacifiCare. Expansion into the key California market is seen as the company's most logical move to confront WellPoint, currently the largest managed care provider in the country with a membership of 28.3 million. UnitedHealth Group is now only just behind with a membership of 26 million.
- see this story from Marketwatch