Industry Analysts Find Major Insurers Thriving

The health insurance industry is fiscally strong despite recent challenges, with major insurers surpassing earnings estimates, according to a Zacks Investment Research report.

Insurers including Cigna, WellPoint, Aetna, Humana, Molina Healthcare and Health Net outperformed Zacks' estimates for the first quarter of 2013. UnitedHealth Group performed in line with estimates. Strong operating performance and lower medical inflationary trends led to the greater-than-expected earnings, according to the report.

Zacks found that total sector earnings were up 7.7 percent. Earnings are expected to grow 19.1 percent in the second quarter, 7.6 percent in the third quarter and 27.6 percent in the fourth quarter, for a full-year growth of 14 percent, according to the report.

More Articles on Health Insurers:
Big 5 Health Insurers Net $3.1B in Q1 Profit
Humana Nearly Doubles Q1 Income to $473M
Cigna Q1 Revenue Rises 21%, Earnings Fall 85%