Pacificare Expects Little Change in Profit

PacifiCare Health Systems Inc., the biggest operator of Medicare health plans, said first-quarter profit per share would be little changed, partly because the company issued more stock.

Net income probably will be 85 cents to 95 cents a share, PacifiCare said, compared with year-earlier profit of 87 cents, excluding some expenses and gains.

For the year, PacifiCare forecast net income of $4.25 to $4.35 a share.

PacifiCare was expected to earn 90 cents in the first quarter and $4.21 for the year, the average estimates of analysts.

Shares of Cypress-based PacifiCare fell 4 cents to $29.38 on Nasdaq.