Strong Call Volume for Wellpoint Inc (NYSE:WLP) Friday

Wellpoint Inc (NYSE:WLP) saw strong Call Option buying on Friday with 17,535 contracts traded for the month of February at the strike price of $45. The stock itself finished the day up slightly at $43.75. These options expire at the end of the week prior to the company’s February 22nd earnings announcement. The managed care company could continue to move higher prior to the release of their earnings announcement but beating the current $1.24 estimate is not a given.

Aetna Earnings

Another managed care company, Aetna, saw profits slide in the 4th quarter of 2008 due to the poor economic conditions in the US. Although revenue grew 9 percent for the company, their earnings came in at 42 cents a share compared to a year ago quarter earnings of 87 cents a share. The stock fell for the last week from above $34 a share down to a $32.11 a share close on Friday.