Deliver Your News to the World

Aetna To Hold Conference Call With Investors


WEBWIRE

HARTFORD, Conn. — Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today that it will hold a conference call on Tuesday, December 16, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET., to provide investors with additional information concerning the company’s balance sheet, capital position, cash flow and capital deployment, investment portfolio and pension plan.

In addition, Aetna today reaffirmed its full-year 2008 operating earnings per share guidance of $3.90 to $3.95 and preliminary 2009 operating earnings per share growth guidance of 3 to 5 percent, subject to finalization of 2009 pension expense, which will be determined based on December 31, 2008 market data. (1)

“With the continued volatility in the capital markets, there has been significant interest from investors and analysts with respect to our balance sheet, capital position and other related aspects of our investment portfolio,” said Joseph M. Zubretsky, executive vice president and CFO. "On this call, we will provide additional information about our portfolio so that investors have a more comprehensive view of why we are confident that Aetna has the financial strength and flexibility to manage in the current economic environment.

“In addition, the fundamentals of our business remain solid, and we believe we can maintain our leading competitive position in the health care industry and generate significant value for our shareholders over the long term,” Zubretsky said.

The public may access the conference call and the accompanying slides through a live audio webcast available on Aetna’s Investor Information link on the Internet at www.aetna.com. Financial, statistical and other information, including GAAP reconciliations, related to the conference call also will be available on Aetna’s Investor Information web site.

The conference call also can be accessed by dialing 866-550-6338 or 347-284-6930 for international callers. The company suggests participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call. The access code is 4072617. Individuals who dial in will be asked to identify themselves and their affiliations.

A replay of the call may be accessed through Aetna’s Investor Information link on the internet at www.aetna.com or by dialing 719-457-0820, or 888-203-1112, toll-free. The replay access code is 4072617. The replay will be available from December 16 until December 30.

Anyone listening to the Aetna Inc. call and/or webcast is encouraged to read Aetna’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K and its third quarter 2008 earnings report on Form 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion of risk factors and Aetna’s historical results of operations and financial condition.



WebWireID82556





This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.