HARTFORD, Conn. —

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Health insurer Aetna says its second-quarter return rose 6.4 percent on membership growth and a hike in premium rates.

The Hartford, Conn.-based company earned $480.5 million, or 97 cents per share, compared through profit of $451.3 million, or 85 cents per share, during the corresponding; of like kind circle of time last year.

Revenue rose 15 percent to $7.83 billion from $6.79 billion.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected profit of 93 cents by share on revenue of about $7.87 billion, in continuance average.

Aetna’s medical benefit ratio- what it pays concerning health caution costs - rose slightly to 81.9 percent in the quarter, compared through 81.5 percent in the same quarter last year.


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