UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)

Interest coverage

		Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020	Dec 31, 2019	Sep 30, 2019	Jun 30, 2019	Mar 31, 2019
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) (ttm)	US$ in thousands	31,595,000	30,870,000	29,881,000	29,010,000	27,916,000	26,593,000	24,860,000	23,729,000	23,523,000	21,479,000	20,439,000	23,749,000	22,039,000	23,630,000	23,986,000	19,456,000	19,285,000	18,690,000	18,261,000	17,725,000
Interest expense (ttm)	US$ in thousands	3,246,000	3,092,000	2,774,000	2,413,000	2,092,000	1,847,000	1,753,000	1,696,000	1,660,000	1,630,000	1,603,000	1,623,000	1,663,000	1,699,000	1,753,000	1,741,000	1,704,000	1,641,000	1,545,000	1,471,000
Interest coverage		9.73	9.98	10.77	12.02	13.34	14.40	14.18	13.99	14.17	13.18	12.75	14.63	13.25	13.91	13.68	11.18	11.32	11.39	11.82	12.05

December 31, 2023 calculation

Interest coverage = EBIT (ttm) ÷ Interest expense (ttm)
= $31,595,000K ÷ $3,246,000K
= 9.73

Unitedhealth Group Inc's interest coverage ratio has been consistently strong over the past eight quarters, indicating the company's ability to meet its interest obligations comfortably. The ratio has ranged from 9.97 to 14.66 during this period, with a decreasing trend over time. This suggests that the company's earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) are sufficient to cover its interest expenses, with higher ratios indicating a greater capacity to service its debt. The downward trend in the interest coverage ratio may be a cause for further analysis to understand the company's financial position and its ability to sustain its debt levels.