Aetna to acquire rival Humana for US$37b in cash and stock

New York

US health insurer giant Aetna said on Friday that it had agreed to acquire its smaller rival Humana for US$37 billion in cash and stock, signalling the start of what may become a flurry of consolidation in the sector.

The deal would bring together two of the biggest US health insurers. The combined company would have estimated operating revenue of US$115 billion this year and more than 33 million consumers.