By Caroline Humer

(Reuters) – New research suggests the Grand Canyon, one of the seven wonders of the world, may have a far more interesting and ancient history than previously thought, a U.S. study said on Thursday.

Instead of being shaped by the Colorado River 5 or 6 million years ago, a new analysis of the minerals in the 280-mile (450-km) gorge suggests it was formed by a much older river likely frequented by the dinosaurs that roamed North America some 70 million years ago.

By Caroline Humer

(Reuters) – New research suggests the Grand Canyon, one of the seven wonders of the world, may have a far more interesting and ancient history than previously thought, a U.S. study said on Thursday.

Instead of being shaped by the Colorado River 5 or 6 million years ago, a new analysis of the minerals in the 280-mile (450-km) gorge suggests it was formed by a much older river likely frequented by the dinosaurs that roamed North America some 70 million years ago.

By Caroline Humer

(Reuters) – UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the largest U.S. private health insurer, said on Monday it expects 2013 earnings of $5.25 to $5.50 per share, below analysts’ expectations.

The outlook backs up comments the company made in October that analysts’ estimates for 2013 were too high due to the weak economy and government efforts to rein in the deficit. At that time, the Wall Street consensus was for earnings of $5.60 per share.

By Caroline Humer

(Reuters) – Health insurer Cigna Corp said on Friday that it expects 2013 earnings growth of 4 to 9 percent, below its average long-term forecasts as it confronts U.S. unemployment in the high-single digits, limited wage growth and a gradual rise in the use of medical services.

Cigna’s outlook followed up on comments earlier this month from its executives about the “headwinds” expected in the coming year, as the company prepares for more aspects of U.S. healthcare reform to take hold.

By Caroline Humer

(Reuters) – Shares of hospitals and other healthcare companies that will benefit from President Barack Obama’s health reform legislation jumped on Wednesday after his election victory, but health insurers fell as the law’s costs became more certain.

Obama’s re-election has taken a Republican vow to repeal the health care reform off the table, though some industry executives said on Wednesday that some aspects of the law still may be changed or delayed.

By Caroline Humer

(Reuters) – Express Scripts Holding Co (ESRX.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Tuesday said its business of managing pharmacy benefits for large employers will come under pressure next year in the weak economy, but investors questioned whether the company’s own strategy was on track.

Shares of Express Scripts, which became the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits manager after buying rival Medco Health Solutions earlier this year, fell 11 percent, a day after the company warned that Wall Street’s 2013 forecasts were too aggressive.

By Caroline Humer

(Reuters) – Express Scripts Holding Co (ESRX.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Tuesday said its business of managing pharmacy benefits for large employers will come under pressure next year due to a weak economy, but investors questioned whether the company’s own strategy was on track.

Shares of Express Scripts, which became the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits manager after buying rival Medco Health Solutions earlier this year, fell 13 percent, a day after the company warned that Wall Street’s 2013 forecasts were too aggressive.

Nov 5 (Reuters) – U.S. health insurer Humana Inc
said on Monday it expects 2012 to be better than it expected
because it had costs under control. It also announced plans for
a $500 million healthcare acquisition, the latest move in its
expansion of its government insurance business.

Humana beat profit expectations even as its earnings fell.
Its profits largely recovered from last quarter when a surge in
membership created a surprise increase in payments for claims
and its earnings fell short.

Nov 1 (Reuters) – Health insurer Cigna Corp raised
its earnings outlook for the year as its recent purchase of
specialized Medicare provider HealthSpring again helped the
bottom line more than expected, enabling it to beat analyst
forecasts for quarterly profits.

The nation’s fifth-largest insurer more than doubled its
quarterly profit as premiums and fees at its healthcare segment
jumped 51 percent, driven by contributions from HealthSpring,
which Cigna acquired for $3.8 billion earlier this year as well
as growth in its commercial business.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. stock and options markets will be closed on Monday, and possibly Tuesday, as regulators, exchanges and brokers worried about the integrity of markets in the face of Hurricane Sandy.

Market participants and regulators decided to shut the market because the storm will make it difficult to ensure the safety of employees, major exchanges said.