On July 2, 2008, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'A-' counterparty credit rating on UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) and its various counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on UNH's subsidiaries (see ratings list). At the same time, Standard&Poor's revised the outlook on UNH's subsidiaries (see ratings list) to negative from stable. The outlook on the holding company (UNH) remains negative. The rating actions are based on UNH's announcement today that it is revising earnings guidance downwards for the second time this year, resulting in projected 2008 operating performance that will be below Standard&Poor's expectations. Following UNH's prior earnings reforecast in April 2008, Standard&Poor's placed a negative outlook on the holding company because
