With a $4.9 billion takeover of Brazil's biggest healthcare provider, UnitedHealth Group appears to have snatched the crown jewel in a market with plenty of promise but formidable barriers to entry for any foreign rivals looking to follow suit.UnitedHealth's plan to acquire a 90 percent stake in Amil Participacoes SA, disclosed on Monday, removes one of the only obvious options for fast growth via takeover -- mainly because Brazil's healthcare sector is so fragmented.More active regulation from Brazil's left-leaning government may also deter other foreign firms. President Dilma Rousseff has stepped up enforcement of quality standards in a number of industries from healthcare to telecoms, and in some cases has forbidden companies from selling their products until they make investments to improve services.Despite such barriers, Brazil clearly offers growth possibilities that richer countries cannot. Robust economic growth has lifted more than 40 million people out of poverty and into the middle class over the past decade -- and they're buying everything from new TVs to better health plans.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UnitedHealth Group) is a diversified health and well-being company. Shares of UNH traded higher by 0.89% or $0.51/share to $57.64. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $42.86 and as high as $60.75. On average, 6410360 shares of UNH exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 5361111.
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