Aetna profits soar 41 percent

Aetna Inc., one of the nation’s largest health insurance companies, reported Thursday that fourth-quarter profit rose 41 percent, as results benefited from membership growth, strong underwriting results and cost controls. Its shares hit a new 52-week high.

The company said quarterly income grew to $423 million, or $1.42 per share, from $300.7 million, or 98 cents per share, a year ago. Operating earnings totaled $1.39 per share, or $1.26 per share, excluding reserve development.

Revenue rose 14 percent to $5.9 billion from $5.2 billion a year earlier.

For the full year, the company posted net income of $1.63 billion, or $5.40 per share, down from $2.25 billion, or $7.15 per share, a year earlier.

Revenue rose 13 percent to $22.5 billion from $19.9 billion.

Hotel operator Marriott International Inc. posted a 25 percent rise in fourth quarter earnings Thursday on higher demand for rooms that bumped up rates and increased income from management fees.

Marriott, the world’s largest hotel company by revenue, reported $237 million in net income, or $1.07 per share, up from $189 million, or 79 cents per share a year ago. Revenue jumped 16 percent to $3.64 billion from $3.14 billion in the 2004 fourth quarter.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial were looking for earnings of 98 cents per share and revenue of $3.42 billion during the 16-week period from Sept. 10 to Dec. 30.

Unilever returned to profit in the fourth quarter but analysts questioned whether the consumer products giant had made real progress or merely spent more advertising top brands like Dove soaps and Lipton teas.

The company, which also makes Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Hellmann’s Mayonnaise and Knorr soups, also said it intends to sell most of its European frozen foods businesses, including the Iglo and Birds Eye brands.

It did not name a buyer for the businesses, which have annual sales of about 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) and employ 3,500 workers.