Erin Wright, an analyst from Morgan Stanley, maintained the Buy rating on UnitedHealth (UNH – Research Report). The associated price target

U.S. stock indexes drifted lower following a mixed set of earnings reports from Morgan Stanley, UnitedHealth Group and other big companies

But high medical costs contributed to results that disappointed Wall Street, and the company’s stock fell on the news that it had made less than analysts expected.

When the healthcare giant reports earnings Thursday morning, investors will be looking to see if Brian Thompson’s death and the public outcry over denials are prompting any changes at the company.

The relatively modest moves for stocks came a day after they shot higher on hopes that an encouraging report on inflation may convince the Federal Reserve to deliver more cuts to interest rates this year. Treasury yields were also more placid in the bond market following mixed economic reports on Thursday..

NEW YORK — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Thursday following a mixed set of earnings reports from Morgan Stanley, UnitedHealth Group and other big companies.

The selloff in UnitedHealth's stock can be blamed for Dow futures falling, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures are rising. The health giant's stock was sinking 3.2% in recent premarket trading, after

Dow Jones drops as UnitedHealth misses revenue estimates, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq rally on strong bank earnings. Retail sales data awaited.

US stock indexes are drifting following a mixed set of earnings reports from Morgan Stanley, UnitedHealth Group and other big companies.

The financial sector is in focus with Bank of America (BAC), Morgan Stanley (MS), and US ... and healthcare leader UnitedHealth Group (UNH) will also release their quarterly reports.

U.S. stocks erased a modest early gain, with the S&P 500 struggling to tally a fourth-straight advance. The index was marginally lower in recent trading, although it was outperforming both the Nasdaq Composite and the Dow.