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.

UnitedHealth Group has reported quarterly profits of $5.5 billion after tax in its first earnings release since the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, which sparked a wider debate about the cost of health insurance and medication for the American public.