CIGNA Talks Guidance, No Word on Merger (CI, AET)

It was just last week that CIGNA Corporation (NYSE: CI) was noted in an analyst research note as being a good fit for the likes of AETNA Inc. (NYSE: AET).  After all, consolidation in health insurance providers is one of the end results of healthcare reform as these companies can have a larger and larger base in which to offset risks of forced-carry policies that otherwise might have been refused for coverage.  Today we will get to see investor presentations from CIGNA.

The company released an SEC Filing showing that company officials “expect to participate in meetings and discussions with investors and analysts” today.   There is no mention of the words “merger, acquisition, consolidation” and the like.  At least not in the preliminary filing.  You can bet that analysts and/or investors will ask about this.

CIGNA did note that it will reaffirm its consolidated adjusted income from operations estimates for the full year 2011 in the same range of $1.275 billion to $1.365 billion that had been previously offered.

The company noted that the outlook assumes break-even results for Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits for 2011 and that the actual experience will be consistent with its long-term reserve assumptions.

CIGNA shares are at $49.09 and the 52-week trading range is $29.12 to $50.70.  That 52-week high was put in last week based in part on the hopes for continued consolidation.

JON C. OGG