Aetna, Inc. (AET)

Blindly following Darth Maul into the Pit! Why Not?????

Business prospects appear good. Unemployment is rising, small businesses which have not laid off workers are failing and taxes are likely to rise. With the physician shortages that are likely to develop following the passage of the health care bill, the capacity to treat patients will fall dramatically, further lowering the cost to insurance companies. They don't have to pay what has not been billed. Unfortunately, these short-term profits will fade quickly as revenue starts to fall from a lack of policy renewals. So in the short-term, this stock rise today may be warranted, but remember that GM's stock also went up when the government first got involved.

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, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. The Company’s operations are conducted in three business segments: Health Care, Group Insurance and Large Case Pensions. Health Care products consist of medical, pharmacy benefits management, dental, behavioral health and vision plans offered on both an insured basis and an employer-funded, or administrative, basis. Group Insurance products consist of Life Insurance Products, Disability Insurance Products and Long-Term Care Insurance Products. Large Case Pensions manages a variety of retirement products primarily for tax qualified pension plans. In addition, in November 2009, Aetna, Inc. acquired Horizon Behavioral Services, LLC.

This company is like a big fat pig which had engorged itself on health insurance premiums and has now wandered into a lake infested with congressional piranhas. It won't be very long before the bones of another dead company wash up back on the shore. The feeding has only just begun.

Gap down to 26.50

Short term loss - down to 25.00 a share.

Will drop more if senate passes health care reform with public option.

If it hits 22 or 23 a share I will definately take a chance on this stock since the public option is unlikely to get senate approval.

Watch the news and take advantage.

The valuation based on future ernings looks solid

a good stock

Just saw Sicko. These guys are cold blooded profit makers.

Health insurers are big winners regardless of the final reform plan.

The PUBLIC OPTION will be part of the health legislation, and many people will feel this is bad for the medicals insurers.

double on healthcare reform details

fool

The sooner the federal gov't gets out of the way, the sooner AET will appreciate in price. Write your Congress person and tell them to let the private sector work out the healthcare solution. Remind them how screwed up other entitlement programs such as Social Security & Medicare have become under government control.

I am interested on the company, seem it is a time for the company to rebound from its recent steep fall.

Good balance sheet - only 1 billion $ of debt, compared with 2+ billion $ of cash flow, respectable profit and operating margins, available at close to a 5 year low. Also 18:1 outperform preference among MF All Stars.

Currently at a low price to competition and with current administration health plans I feel it will rise 7 to 9% per year. Look for a price of $33.87 in two years.

Target 40 on this old line company.

No issues, unless we decide to adopt Canadian Universall Health system. Nice Idea, but anyone have a spare trillion or two to fund it?

Tech prowess should help it ease costs as well.

tech

Cash rich, very conservative, good pricing discipline