Aetna Inc. (AET – Free Report) is one of the nation’s leading diversified healthcare benefits companies.

Aetna with its strong business, a diversified revenue stream should benefit in this changing environment.

Aetna’s pending acquisition of Humana Inc. (HUM – Free Report) was recently blocked by the regulators. Notwithstanding the latest hit to the merger, Aetna is planning to appeal the case. It also has some back up plans. It may look to expand in Medicaid, by way of acquiring Medicaid-centric companies.

Aetna has a pretty good earnings track record with the company delivering positive earnings surprises in each of the last four quarters with an average surprise of 6.25%.

Currently, Aetna has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), but that could definitely change following the company’s earnings report which was just released. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:

The Bottom Line: Aetna beats on earnings. Our consensus called for EPS of $1.45 and the company reported earnings per share of $1.63 and increased 19% year over year.

The Top Line: Revenues missed expectations. Aetna posted operating revenues of $15.72 billion, a tad lower than our consensus estimate of $15.9 billion, but grew 5% year over year.

Aetna Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Aetna Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Aetna Inc. Quote

Key Stats:

Adjusted operating expense ratio was 19.8% down 70 basis points year over year.

Medical membership totaled 23.1 million at Dec 31, 2016.

2017 Guidance:

The company expects 2017 operating earnings of ‘at least $8.55’ per share.