EARNINGS

Aetna’s Earnings Rise 49%: The Hartford, Conn.-based insurer said its second-quarter earnings increase was primarily because of higher profit in its growing health insurance business. The firm said profit from continuing operations climbed to $166.2 million, or $1.43 a share, from $111.7 million, or 99 cents, a year earlier. Health insurance accounted for about half of the latest quarter’s profit. With U.S. Healthcare also reporting higher earnings last week, analysts said Aetna’s increased health-sector profit showed that its make-over into the largest U.S. managed-care provider could pay off. Aetna bought U.S. Healthcare in part with proceeds from the sale of its property and casualty insurance unit on April 2. Shares of Aetna closed at $60, up 75 cents on the New York Stock Exchange.