Anthem Q1 Earnings Rise - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Anthem Inc. (ANTM), the second-biggest health insurer in the U.S., Wednesday reported that its first-quarter net earnings rose to $865.2 million or $3.09 per share from last year's $701.0 million or $2.40 per share. The results in the quarter under review included net losses of $0.05 per share, while last year included net losses of $0.02 per share.

Adjusted net income for the first quarter grew nearly 30 percent to $3.14 per share. On average, 19 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of $2.67 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.

Operating revenue rose about 6.8 percent to nearly $18.9 billion from $17.6 billion a year ago, reflecting premium increases to cover overall cost trends and increased fees associated with Health Care Reform, as well as higher enrollment in the Medicaid, Commercial self-funded and Individual businesses. Analysts' revenue consensus estimate was $19.32 billion for the quarter.

Looking ahead to 2015, the company said it expects earnings per share to be greater than $9.47 and adjusted earnings per share to be greater than $9.90, while analysts foresee earnings per share of $9.83.