Jim Cramer is Talking About These 14 Stocks Before Earnings

2. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 114

Cramer talked about UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) during Mad Money and highlighted that the company beats earnings routinely. Here’s what he had to say:

“We have United Health Group, and this Dow component just doesn’t miss. UNH is the only health insurer that regularly beats earnings. Nothing’s clockwork in this business. But when this one misses, the stock barely goes down, and when it beats, the gains are huge. Interesting risk-reward, huh?”

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) operates as a diversified healthcare organization and offers a range of services and products. Through its UnitedHealthcare segment, the company delivers health insurance and benefits to millions of individuals in the United States, as well as to over 2 million people in South America. Meanwhile, the Optum segment offers healthcare and pharmacy services to more than 100 million individuals and provides technological support to hospitals and other healthcare providers.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) updated its earnings outlook for the full year of 2024, projecting net earnings in the range of $15.95 to $16.40 per share. The adjustment accounts for the reclassification of its remaining South American operations as held for sale, as well as the anticipated impacts of the cyberattack on Change Healthcare. The company completed the sale of its larger Brazilian operations during the first quarter of 2024, marking a significant transition in its South American presence.

In a move to strengthen its portfolio, the company acquired the home-health business LHC Group last year and is in the process of finalizing the acquisition of Amedisys, which also focuses on home health services. The expansion into home health shows that the company is looking to expand its service offerings. The company expects that its earnings could grow at a rate of 13% to 16% annually over the long term. Continued acquisitions and the expansion of its Medicare business are expected to contribute significantly to the company’s sustained financial growth.