On Tuesday, Insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc. announced a rise in its first-quarter profit nudged by better-than-expected membership and services growth, surpassing Wall Street's expectations.

The largest publicly traded health insurer based on revenue, revealed its earnings to touch $1.19 billion, or $1.03 per share, for the three months that ended March 31, compared to the $984 million, or 81 cents per share, reported the previous year.

Also, its revenue marked a rise 5% touching $23.19 billion from $22 billion.

However, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, whose estimates typically exclude one-time items, speculated significantly smaller profit of 69 cents per share on revenue of $22.76 billion.

President and CEO, Stephen J. Hemsley posted in a statement, "Each quarter we are performing more strongly, improving in consumer and care provider satisfaction, delivering a steady stream of innovation, and effectively and appropriately controlling operating and medical costs".

In addition, the health group also posted its forecasts on its 2010 earnings and revenue, reported to be above analysts' estimates.