UnitedHealth Group anticipates a $1.7 billion earnings boost this year due to Republicans' tax bill, according to The Hill.
UnitedHealth CEO David Wichmann told investors during a fourth quarter earnings call Tuesday the insurance giant will invest the additional cash in new technology and community-based healthcare programs. Mr. Wichmann did not say whether UnitedHealth will allocate additional earnings toward increasing employee wages.
The insurer reported net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth shareholders of $3.6 billion in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, compared to $1.7 billion during the same period a year prior. UnitedHealth said a one-time tax gain of $1.22 per share drove the increase in net earnings.
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