...NEW YORK (S&P Global Ratings) Aug. 16, 2017--S&P Global Ratings today said its ratings on U.S.-based UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH; A+/Negative/A-1) and subsidiaries are unaffected by the announcement that UNH's longtime CEO Stephen Hemsley will step down, effective Sept. 1, 2017, and be succeeded by David Wichmann, current president of UNH. We do not view this management change as a complete surprise given the company's well-telegraphed succession plan in recent years. Mr. Wichmann is a strong choice as CEO given his extensive leadership experience with the company. We continue to view UNH's management and governance as a rating strength based on the management team's overall stability, breadth and depth, and solid track record of execution. We expect no near-term change to UNH's overall strategy, which will increasingly focus on growing its OptumCare and international business segments. The company recently reported strong second-quarter earnings and raised its earnings expectation for...
