THE RESULTS: Health insurer Aetna Inc.'s second-quarter earnings tumbled almost 15 percent. It earned $457.6 million, or $1.32 per share. That's down from $536.7 million, or $1.39 per share, a year ago. Revenue rose 6 percent to $8.84 billion.
THE FACTORS: Aetna's performance last year was helped by a $188 million pretax gain recorded because claims left over from previous quarters came in lower than expected. The gain shrank to $38 million this year.
NEW OUTLOOK: Aetna now expects 2012 adjusted earnings of $5 to $5.10 per share, up from its previous forecast of $5 per share. Analysts forecast $5.04 per share.
