Aetna Q3 Profit Rises; Lifts Annual Operating Earnings Outlook - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Health insurer Aetna Inc. (AET) Tuesday reported third-quarter earnings which increased, helped by membership gains in health care and improved underwriting margins in the group insurance segment.

For the three months to September, net earnings were $594.5 million or $1.67 per share, up from $518.6 million or $1.38 per share a year earlier.

Operating earnings totaled $638.6 million or $1.79 per share, compared with $604.3 or $1.61 per share a year ago.

Analysts polled by Thomson-Reuters had a consensus earnings estimate of $1.58. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.

Total revenues increased 13 percent to $14.73 billion, from $13.03 billion a year earlier. Analysts expected $14.63 billion.

Looking ahead, the company raised its annual operating earnings outlook to $6.60 - $6.70 per share from the prior guidance of $6.45 - $6.60 per share.