NEW YORK (Reuters) - UnitedHealth Group Inc UNH.N is performing better in 2019 than suggested by the Wall Street analyst consensus for first-quarter adjusted earnings, Chief Financial Officer John Rex said on Tuesday during a conference call with investors.

The average analyst estimate for first-quarter earnings is $3.48 per share. For 2019, analysts expect full-year earnings of $14.63 per share, according to Refinitiv.

UnitedHealth backed its forecast of 2019 adjusted earnings of $14.40 to $14.70 per share.