CIGNA Corporation (CI: chart) reported before the bell Wednesday that it reversed course to a quarterly profit from a year-earlier loss, helped by a gain from the sale of its retirement benefits business and stronger results in its health care division. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based health insurer posted net earnings of $515 million, or $3.67 a share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2004, a turnaround from a prior-year net loss of $53 million, or 38 cents a share, when results reflected a big after-tax charge. Excluding unusual items, CIGNA recorded net income from continuing operations of $246 million, or $1.75 per share, a 56% increase from $158 million, or $1.13 per share, last year. Analysts had expected a profit before items of $1.24 per share, on average. For the quarter ended June 30, revenue was $4.63 billion, flat compared with year-ago figures.

Looking ahead, CIGNA said that it sees 2004 profit, excluding items, of $5.95 to $6.25 per share, which compares to an earlier guidance of $5.15 to $5.55 per share.

CIGNA shares dipped 3.16% to close Wednesday at $60.60. The stock edged up 15 cents to $60.75 in after-hours trading.

Aon Corporation (AOC: chart) announced Wednesday higher quarterly earnings, citing better cost management and improved margins as main factors for the increase. The Chicago, Illinois-based world’s No.2 insurance brokerage and consulting company reported second-quarter net earnings of $173 million, or 52 cents per share, compared with $146 million, or 46 per share, generated last year. Excluding items, earnings totaled 54 cents per share, surpassing by 2 cents the average analysts’ estimate. Quarterly revenue climbed to $2.55 billion from $2.41 billion, in 2003.

The stock dropped 10 cents on Wednesday to $26.64.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (HIG: chart) said Wednesday that its second-quarter net income slid to $433 million, or $1.46 per share, from net income of $507 million, or $1.88 per share, in the 2003 equivalent. The Hartford, Connecticut-based insurer cited a one-time charge for reinsurance recoverables as principal contributor for the profit drop. Excluding items, second-quarter profit was $1.75 a share, outpacing Wall Street’s average forecast of $1.57 a share.

Company shares closed Wednesday up 49 cents, or 0.76%, at $64.83. The stock dropped a penny to $64.82 in after-market trade.

CVS Corporation (CVS: chart) of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on Wednesday turned in a net profit of $230.8 million, or 56 cents per share, for its fiscal second quarter, an 18% rise from a net profit of $196.1 million, or 49 cents per share, for the same quarter last year. The drug store operator attributed the results to higher sales, which rose to $6.94 billion in the quarter from $6.44 billion a year ago. Analysts were looking for a profit of 54 cents per share on revenue of $6.92 billion.

The stock shed 56 cents to $41.21 at market close Wednesday. CVS shares recovered 12 cents to $41.33 in the extended session.

Biovail Corporation (BVF: chart) posted Wednesday a profit for its fiscal second quarter, rebounding from a prior-year loss, driven by robust sales of its core products, the antidepressant Wellbutrin XL and heart drug Cardizem LA. The Canada-based drugmaker announced income of $44.2 million, or 28 cents a share, for the second quarter, in contrast to a loss of $4.9 million, or 3 cents a share, last year. The earnings were 3 cents a share ahead of the consensus estimate of analysts. Total sales advanced to $197.2 million from $157.7 million.

Biovail shares closed Wednesday at $16.57, up 57 cents, or 3.56%.

aQuantive, Inc. (AQNT: chart) of Seattle, Washington, reported Wednesday that its second-quarter net income more than tripled to $7.5 million, or 11 cents a share, from year-earlier net income of $2.4 million, or 3 cents a share. The provider of digital marketing services blasted past analysts’ projections for earnings of 6 cents a share, on average. Quarterly revenue swelled to $27.8 million from $15.2 million, a year ago. The company attributed the results to strong demand for online advertising.

The stock plummeted 10.00% on Wednesday to $7.56. Company shares rocketed up 18.25% to $8.94 in after-hours trading.

Integrated Circuit Systems, Inc. (ICST: chart) said Wednesday that its quarterly profits surged 49%, boosted by higher sales. The Norristown, Pennsylvania-based maker of clock chips posted earnings of $24 million, or 33 cents per share, for its fiscal fourth quarter, against earnings of $16.1 million, or 23 cents per share, for the 2003 comparable period. Analysts had called for earnings of 26 cents per share, on average. Revenue in the quarter edged up 14% to $69.5 million.

Company shares plunged 7.79% to close Wednesday at $21.74. The stock dropped 4 cents to $21.70 in extended trade.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (RRD: chart) of Chicago, Illinois, announced Wednesday that it swung to a quarterly loss, hurt by one-time costs. The printing services company said that it had a net loss of $12.5 million, or 6 cents per share, in its second quarter, in contrast to net income of $19.3 million, or 17 cents per share, a year ago. Excluding items, the company posted a profit of 31 cents a share, up from 20 cents a share in 2003, and a penny a share above analysts’ mean view.

The stock slipped 2.28% to $30.86 at market close Wednesday.

Bolstered by strong advertising sales, media company Univision Communications Inc. (UVN: chart) reported Wednesday that its second-quarter net profit soared to $83.7 million, or 24 cents per share, from $41.6 million, or 16 cents per share, in the 2003 corresponding quarter. The consensus forecast of analysts was for a profit of 19 cents a share. Los Angeles-based Univision recorded revenue of $495.3 million in the quarter, compared with $320.2 million a year earlier.

Univision shares dipped 1.10% on Wednesday to $29.72. The stock inched up 3 cents to $29.75 in after-hours trading.

Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL: chart) on Wednesday rolled out earnings of $13.4 million, or 13 cents per share, for its first quarter, in contrast to earnings of $5.1 million, or 5 cents per share, for the prior-year period. The New York-based apparel designer said strong sales helped boost its earnings. Excluding items, profit came to 14 cents per share, outpacing the mean analysts’ estimate by 3 cents per share.