Aetna (AET) updated its FY13 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of ‘at least $5.40′ for the period, compared to the Thomson Reuters consensus earnings per share estimate of $5.53.
Several analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Analysts at Jefferies & Co. raised their price target on shares of Aetna from $58.00 to $61.00 in a research note to investors on Wednesday, March 6th. They now have a buy rating on the stock. On a related note, analysts at Jefferies Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Aetna in a research note to investors on Wednesday, March 6th. They now have a $61.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $58.00. Finally, analysts at TheStreet reiterated a buy rating on shares of Aetna in a research note to investors on Monday, March 4th.
Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, one has assigned an overweight rating, and eight have issued a hold rating to the stock. Aetna has a consensus rating of overweight and an average target price of $54.83.
Aetna (AET) traded up 2.69% on Tuesday, hitting $51.24. Aetna (AET) has a 52-week low of $34.58 and a 52-week high of $51.14. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $48.81. The company has a market cap of $16.807 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.37.
Aetna last released its earnings data on Thursday, January 31st. The company reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, missing the Thomson Reuters consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $8.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.97 earnings per share. Aetna’s revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Aetna has set its FY13 guidance at at least $5.40 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Aetna (AET) will post $5.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which is scheduled for Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 11th will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 9th.
Aetna Inc. (Aetna) is a diversified healthcare benefits company. The Company offers a range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, medical management capabilities, Medicaid healthcare management services and health information exchange technology services.
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