A group of shareholders has filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare Group, alleging the company misled investors following the death of its CEO, Brian Thompson. The class action lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that the health insurance giant failed to adjust its 2025 net earnings outlook to account for the impact of Thompson’s death on its operations. Just before Thompson was fatally shot on December 3, the company had issued guidance projecting net earnings of $28.15 to $28.65 per share and adjusted net earnings of $29.50 to $30.00 per share. On January 16, the company reaffirmed this forecast. Investors argue that these statements were “materially false and misleading,” citing the significant public scrutiny the company faced after Thompson’s death. This backlash allegedly hindered UnitedHealthcare from pursuing aggressive tactics necessary to meet its earnings targets. The lawsuit accuses the company of recklessly adhering to its initial guidance. Eventually, on April 17, UnitedHealthcare revised its 2025 outlook, citing a strategic shift, which led to a more than 22% drop in its stock price that day. UnitedHealthcare did not respond to requests for comment. Thompson’s killing in broad daylight in New York City shocked the nation.
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