Earnings roundup: Aetna, 3M

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, April 24, from AP Financial News:

Top stories:

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Aetna Inc.'s profit slipped in the first quarter but membership growth and higher premium rates pushed the health insurer's revenue higher, beating Wall Street expectations.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ 3M Co., maker of Scotch tape and Post-It notes, said Thursday its first-quarter earnings dropped compared to a year ago when it had a big gain on the sale of one of its businesses. But the results topped analyst expectations.

Other stories:

BALTIMORE (AP) _ T. Rowe Price Group Inc.'s profit jumped 6 percent in the first quarter as a the investment manager's funds continued to do well in spite of a tough economy.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) _ Goodrich Corp. which makes aerospace, defense and homeland security products Thursday boosted its 2008 guidance on expectations for higher sales in all of its segments.

HOUSTON (AP) _ Cooper Industries Ltd., a supplier of electrical fuses, lighting fixtures and other products, said Thursday its first-quarter profit rose 16 percent on the back of strong growth overseas and the effect of the weaker dollar.

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) _ Surgical equipment maker Conmed Corp. on Thursday said its first-quarter profit fell about 8 percent on higher costs and for charges for the buyout of its Italian distributor.

SEATTLE (AP) _ Alaska Air Group Inc. on Thursday said its first-quarter loss deepened as soaring fuel prices rose much faster than sales, and announced plans to cancel some service as it retires fuel-guzzling older planes.

COVINGTON, La. (AP) _ Pool Corp. said Thursday it swung to a first-quarter loss because of bad weather and a decline in irrigation segment sales.

PITTSBURGH (AP) _ Coal miner Consol Energy Inc. said Thursday its first-quarter profit fell 34 percent, hurt by the shutdown of a mine whose roof collapsed, charges related to coal sales contracts and other adjustments.