In its first results since its insurance unit CEO was fatally shot in New York City, UnitedHealth Group reported Thursday weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue, prompting its shares to fall in early morning trading despite quarterly profit beating projections.

UnitedHealth posted a better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit, but a nagging rise in medical costs and care utilization surprised Wall Street.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. reported fourth-quarter profit that surpassed Wall Street’s expectations in its first financial statement since a top executive was killed in New York last month.

The company’s shares fell in premarket trading following the healthcare firms first earnings since the killing of executive Brian Thompson.

UnitedHealth's high medical costs and lower-than-expected revenue in the fourth quarter underscored persistent challenges at its insurance unit, sending the healthcare conglomerate's shares down about 4% before the bell on Thursday.

UnitedHealth beat fourth-quarter earnings forecast, though revenue fell short and medical costs ran high, hitting the Dow Jones component.