WellPoint Joins UnitedHealth in Raising 2010 Outlook
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WellPoint Inc. became the third U.S. health insurer this month to increase its 2010 profit forecast, stirring investor concern that state and federal regulators may increase scrutiny of industry pricing.
WellPoint’s earnings may be at least $6.30 a share this year, more than a prior forecast of at least $6, the Indianapolis-based insurer said in a statement today. WellPoint, the biggest U.S. health plan by enrollment, fell 3.7 percent in New York trading after Chief Financial Officer Wayne DeVeydt said the outlook was tempered by uncertainty over how the health-care law passed in March will affect results.