Aetna Inc., the No. 3 U.S. health insurer by membership, raised its earnings forecast for the year after first-quarter profit topped analysts’ estimates, helped by rising premiums.

The health insurer now expects 2016 earnings of $7.90 to $8.10 a share, excluding some items, up from a February forecast of at least $7.75, according to a statement Thursday. Analysts anticipated $7.95, the average of predictions compiled by Bloomberg.

Aetna has added customers in the private Medicare Advantage program for the elderly, and is expanding its wager on the business with the planned acquisition of Humana Inc. That helped cushion a decline in commercial membership and a rise in medical costs.

First-quarter net income fell 6.5 percent to $726.6 million, or $2.06 a share, from $777.5 million, or $2.20, a year earlier
Operating earnings per share of $2.30 tops the $2.23 average of analysts’ estimates
Medical loss ratio widened to 80.5 cents per premium dollar, compared with spending 79.1 cents per dollar a year earlier

Aetna has one of the largest numbers of members in the new marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Large health insurers have been struggling to make a profit from these so-called Obamacare exchanges, and in February, Aetna Chief Executive Officer Mark Bertolini said he had “serious concerns about the sustainability” of those markets.

UnitedHealth Group Inc., the U.S. largest health insurer, plans to withdraw from most of its ACA exchanges next year to stem losses. Meanwhile Anthem Inc., No. 2 in the industry, said Wednesday that results from its ACA plans were about break-even last quarter, and will probably fall short of its profit margin target next year.

Instant Insights /

Aetna raises 2016 forecast after profit tops estimates

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