Anthem beats by $0.24, reports revs in-line; guides FY19 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (272.71)
- Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $2.44 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.24 better than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $2.20; revenues rose 3.8% year/year to $23.3 bln vs the $23.27 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.
- The benefit expense ratio was 86.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, a decrease of 180 basis points from 88.6 percent in the prior year quarter
- Co issues upside guidance for FY19, sees EPS of greater than $19.00, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $17.61 S&P Capital IQ Consensus; sees FY19 revs of ~$100 bln vs. $97.64 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.
- Benefit expense ratio is expected to be in the range of 86.2% plus or minus 30 basis points.
- On January 29, 2019, the Audit Committee declared a first quarter 2019 dividend to shareholders of $0.80 per share, up from $0.75 per share