Market Update (NYSE:AET): Aetna and Texas Health Resources Establish New Partnership in North Texas

[Business Wire] – Aetna and Texas Health Resources today announced the creation of a jointly owned health plan company that will focus on improving quality, affordability and the overall consumer experience. Read more on this. Aetna Inc. (AET) , valued at $39.63B, started the session at $113.33. A quick look at the market, the company’s stock traded between $112.65 and $113.80 with its 52-week range being $92.42 to $134.40. AET shares are currently priced at 13.90x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 8.29x earnings multiple. And for dividend hunters, the company pays shareholders $1.00 per share annually in dividends, yielding 0.91%. Consensus earnings for the current quarter by the 20 sell-side analysts covering the stock is an estimate of $2.12 per share, which would be $0.07 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.01 sequential decrease. The full-year EPS estimate is $8.03, which would be a $0.32 better than last year. The quarterly earnings estimate is based on a consensus revenue forecast of the current quarter of $15.73 Billion. If realized, that would be a 3.97% increase over the year-ago quarter. In terms of ratings, Jefferies downgraded AET from Buy to Hold (Jan 8, 2016). Previously, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded AET from Hold to Buy. When considering if perhaps the stock is under or overvalued, the average price target is $139.20, which is 22.83% above where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:AET) Similar Articles: Market Update: Aetna Inc (NYSE:AET) – CoventryCares Medicaid Plan Changes Name to Aetna Better Health of Virginia Market Update (NYSE:AET): Meritain Health Enters Accountable Care Collaboration with Banner Health Network and Aetna Whole Health Market Update: Aetna Inc (NYSE:AET) – Aetna and Mount Sinai Health Partners Create Accountable Care Organization Alliance