WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Health insurer Aetna (AET) Tuesday said its second-quarter net earnings increased to $731.8 million or $2.08 per share from $548.8 million or $1.52 per share in the previous year. The latest results includes $0.03 per share of net benefits.
Operating earnings were $2.05 per share, while it totaled $1.69 last year. On average, 18 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $1.82 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
Total revenue grew to $15.241 billion from $14.509 billion in the prior year. Analysts expected revenues of $15.43 billion.
Mark Bertolini, Aetna chairman and CEO, said, 'Based on these results, we are again raising our guidance on full-year 2015 operating earnings per share to at least $7.40 per share from our previous projection of $7.20 to $7.40 per share.'
Analysts look for full-year earnings of $7.42 per share.
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