STOCKS NEWS US-Aetna cuts 2009 earnings outlook; shares fall

Stocks on the move [HOT-RTRS]

Real-time Equity news [U E] [RESF/US]

For U.S. stock market report double-click [.N] 1720 ET 02June2009 Aetna cuts 2009 earnings outlook; shares fall ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shares of Aetna Inc (AET.N) fell 7 percent to $25.40 in post-market trading, after the No. 3 U.S. health insurer cut its 2009 earnings forecast, citing higher projected medical costs for its commercial business serving employers and lower revenue from its Medicare plans for seniors.

The company forecast operating earnings in a range of $3.55 to $3.70 per share, excluding items. It previously forecast $3.85 to $3.95 per share for the year.

For details, please see: [ID:nN02117847]

Reuters Messaging: tenzin.pema.reuters.com@reuters.net 1648 ET 02June2009 Target gets bearish put trade before sales data ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shares of Target Corp (TGT.N) fell 39 cents to $41.28 and the top options trades seem to reflect a bearish view on the U.S. discount retailer before retail sales data this week, said WhatsTrading.com option strategist Frederic Ruffy. He noted that a strategist apparently bought the June $38-$41 (2X1) put spread 3,000 times on the old Philadelphia Stock Exchange. The trade could be a roll from the $41 strike to the lower $38 strike, but seems more likely to be an opening put spread before the sales numbers on Thursday, he added.

Reuters Messaging: doris.frankel.reuters.com@reuters.net 1515 ET 02June2009 Cardinal sees lower earnings, shares slide ------------------------------------------------------------------------------