Aetna Inc. healthcare insurer today reported total revenues for the first quarter of 2008 increased 16% to $7.74 billion from $6.70 billion from a year ago.

Net income in the quarter was $431.6 million or 85 cents per share compared to $434.6 million or 81 cents per share a year ago.

First quarter medical membership increased by 614,000 to 17.467 million, pharmacy membership increased by 219,000 to 10.951 million and dental membership increased by 334,000 to 14.166 million.

Group insurance business operating earnings of $34.9 million for the first quarter of 2008, compared with $31.1 million for the first quarter of 2007. Net income includes $21.5 million and $5.5 million of realized capital losses in the first quarter of 2008 and 2007.

Share repurchases totaled 12.8 million shares at a cost of $600.0 million in the first quarter of 2008.

The member benefit ratio rose slightly, to 81.3%, from 80.7% in the same period last year.

Aetna (AET: chart) fell $1.04 to $42.05 and in the last 52 weeks of trading has traded between $60 and $39.

AutoNation, Inc., automotive retailer today reported first quarter 2008 revenue decline of 7% to $4 billion, compared to $4.3 billion in the year-ago period, driven on lower vehicle sales.

Net income for the first quarter 2008 was $56 million or $0.31 per share compared to $83 million or $0.39 per share for the quarter of 2007.

First quarter results also were impacted by lower gross profit per new and used vehicle sold, partially offset by continued share repurchases. Prior year results benefited from favorable tax adjustments of $0.02 per share.

In the first quarter, industry new vehicle U.S. retail sales declined approximately 11%, according to CNW Research. Industry new vehicle retail sales for California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona were off approximately 15% compared to last year.

Mike Jackson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, ""We expect to continue to see a challenging automotive retail market as long as the current economic difficulties persist.""

AutoNation (AN: chart) stock rose 68 cents to $15.79 and in the last 52 weeks has traded between $22 and $12.