NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 8/6/98 -- Standard&Poor's today placed its single-'A'-plus counterparty credit rating of United Healthcare Corp. (the Company) on CreditWatch with negative implications. The CreditWatch placement is reflective of a $900 million charge to second quarter 1998 earnings which is significantly greater than expectations. These changes are in connection with strategic realignment activities to improve the Company's overall cost structure. Realignment initiatives included estimated losses associated with the disposition of business units, product lines and contracts; the transition from and subsequent elimination of non-core systems platforms; and the consolidation of certain processing activities. Net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 1998, were $271 million (excluding the impact of operational realignment charges). Including
