NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Aug. 10, 2006--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it revised its outlook on UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) and UNH's operating companies to negative from stable. Standard&Poor's also said that it affirmed its 'A' counterparty credit rating on UNH and its various counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on the subsidiaries. "The outlook was revised to negative because of the potential for a significant restatement of prior-period earnings in connection with stock-option accounting, which could materially erode the quality of UnitedHealth's capital," explained Standard&Poor's credit analyst Shellie Stoddard. "The company and its accountants are still determining the appropriate accounting treatment for the stock-option plan, and an estimated range of outcomes
