UnitedHealth Board OKs Quarterly Dividend Raise
MINNETONKA, Minn. (AP) -- Health insurer UnitedHealth Group says it is raising its quarterly dividend by 30 percent.
The largest U.S. health insurer said Wednesday that its board authorized a quarterly payout of 21.25 cents per share on June 22 to shareholders of record as of June 15. That's up from the previous dividend of 16.25 cents per share.
UnitedHealth says it is raising the dividend due in part to strong growth across its businesses.
Health insurance is the main business for the Minnetonka, Minn., company, but its Optum segment also provides services like wellness programs, technology outsourcing and pharmacy benefits management.
The company reported first quarter earnings in April that topped analyst expectations, and it raised its 2012 forecast.
UnitedHealth started its quarterly dividend payments in 2010 at 12.5 cents per share.
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