News summary: WellPoint's 1Q profit rises 3 pct
News summary: WellPoint's 1st qtr profit rises 3 percent, health insurer raises 2013 forecast
QUARTERLY GROWTH: Health insurer WellPoint Inc. said Wednesday its first-quarter earnings rose about 3 percent to $885.2 million, or $2.89 per share. Its adjusted earnings totaled $2.94 per share, not counting investment gains.
TOPS FORECAST: The adjusted figure easily topped the average analyst forecast of $2.38 per share, according to FactSet.
NEW FORECAST: WellPoint also said it now expects 2013 earnings to total at least $7.80 per share, up from its forecast in January for earnings of at least $7.60 per share. Analysts expect, on average, earnings of $7.82 per share for the year.
