In response to my inquiry about that prospect, a company spokesman said, \u201cWe strive to meet our stakeholders\u2019 evolving needs to understand our business performance through compliant, transparent and useful disclosures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Top executives have been meeting with some analysts in recent weeks. Morgan Stanley earlier this month revealed its research team met with CEO Stephen Hemsley, new CFO Wayne DeVeydt and the top executives of the firm\u2019s major business units. \u201cWe are incrementally positive following discussions,\u201d the Morgan Stanley analysts wrote on Sept. 10.<\/p>\n
Most businesses try to keep as much information secret as they can, of course. Big size helps because, under federal rules, companies only need to disclose deals or actions involving worth a portion of total assets. The bigger the company, the bigger the deal it can make without having to reveal details.<\/p>\n
UnitedHealth\u2019s opaqueness has long been a complaint of journalists who try to follow the company. I decided to call Ha after seeing him talk about it on a podcast and YouTube video<\/a> last week with Steve Eisman, the investor who became well-known in the book and movie \u201cThe Big Short\u201d for forecasting and profiting from the collapse of the housing market in 2008. (Actor Steve Carell played him in the movie.)<\/p>\n Eisman lived up to his colorful reputation while discussing UnitedHealth with Ha. <\/p>\n