Aetna shareholders seek alternatives to split:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Aetna, the largest health insurer in the US, may not now split from the remainder of the group as institutional shareholders are looking at a way of keeping the health and the financial services businesses of Aetna together. Last month a Dutch insurer, ING, and the US health insurer, WellPoint, offered $70 a share for the whole group (see Clinica No 900, p 12). While this was a massive premium on the company's then $40 share price, the bid was rejected and Aetna's board proposed the split. Investors are seeking ways to get the share price back to its $100-plus high point.