Barclays Maintains an 'Overweight' on Aetna (AET); Robust Q3 Results as Management Sets Better Floor for '12 than Expected

Barclays maintains an 'Overweight' on Aetna (NYSE: AET) price target of $54.00.

Barclays analyst says,"We are raising our 2011 EPS estimate to $5.00 per share, consistent with the company's guidance, up from $4.70 previously. Next, our 2012 EPS estimate remains at $4.90, 10 cents above the company's 2012 guidance "floor."

"Overall, with the positive pre-announcement, expectations have risen, but Aetna still appears to have had more skepticism about its prospects, as evidenced by a multiple that is at the low end of the broader group. We would expect that valuation gap to narrow in the short term."

For more ratings news on Aetna click here and for the rating history of Aetna click here.

Shares of Aetna closed at $40.83 yesterday.

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