(by G. Andersen)

Insurance company Aetna on Thursday said its second-quarter profit rose to $286.3 million, or $1.79 per share, compared with $138.4 million, or 87 cents per share, a year earlier. Also insurer said that company’s premiums and membership rose.

Excluding items related to medical cost estimates, the company earned $1.70 per share, Wall Street analysts were expecting $1.66.

Now company expects operating earnings of $6.75 to $6.85 per share this year, compared with a previous outlook of $6.60 to $6.75 per share.