UnitedHealth falls after CEO abruptly exits and guidance is suspended
The healthcare giant is under pressure from rising costs and a murky near-term outlook.
UnitedHealth shares sank 10% in premarket trading after the company said CEO Andrew Witty would step down for personal reasons. Witty’s departure follows a turbulent stretch for the insurance giant, including the highly publicized death of Brian Thompson, head of its insurance business, late last year. Longtime chairman Stephen J. Hemsley will now take over as CEO.
Adding to the pressure, UnitedHealth also suspended its full-year guidance just one month after cutting its outlook. Management cited higher-than-anticipated medical costs among its new Medicare Advantage members along with accelerated care activity. The company now expects to return to growth in 2026.
Prior to the premarket dip, UNH shares were down roughly 25% year to date.
