Aetna, America's leading health insurer, has beat all estimates by posting an 18% surge in its net earnings, and much better than expected returns on all its investments, making the insurance firm one of the few companies to have posted positive earnings in the current times of economic downturn.

Gains have been seen in both Commercial and Medicare enrollment. Despite the positive postings, the company has lowered its fiscal year end forecast.

In its third quarter report, Aetna has reported that after a definite rise, its net income now stood at $326.2 million, or 73 cents per share. This is a significant rise from last year's figures of $277.3 million, or 58 cents a share reported for the same period. Revenue reportedly rose 14% and now stood at $8.72 Billion.

Wall Street analysts had estimated that, for the third quarter, Aetna's profit would be some 66 cents per share and the revenue was pegged at $8.68 Billion. The firm has managed to surpass these figures significantly.

The positive figures are being taken as a good sign by analysts who believe that Aetna will do much better in the coming times, as the days of recession are most likely to be soon a thing of the past.