Aetna 2011 Annual Report Download - page 47

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Annual Report- Page 41
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION/RISK FACTORS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “1995 Act”) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking
statements, so long as (1) those statements are identified as forward-looking, and (2) the statements are
accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements that identify important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those discussed in the statement. We want to take advantage of these safe harbor provisions.
Certain information contained in this MD&A and elsewhere in the Annual Report and our Annual Report on Form
10-K is forward-looking within the meaning of the 1995 Act or SEC rules. This information includes, but is not
limited to: the “Outlook for 2012” on page 5, “Risk Management and Market-Sensitive Instruments” beginning on
page 14 and “Regulatory Environment” beginning on page 25 of the Annual Report. In addition, throughout this
MD&A and elsewhere, we use the following words, or variations or negatives of these words and similar
expressions, when we intend to identify forward-looking statements:
·
·
·
·
Expects
Projects
Anticipates
Outlook
·
·
·
·
Intends
Plans
Believes
Guidance
·
·
·
·
Seeks
Estimates
May
Predict
·
·
·
Will
Should
Could
·
·
·
Potential
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Forward-looking statements rely on a number of estimates, assumptions and projections concerning future events,
and are subject to a number of significant uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those statements. Many of these factors are outside our control. You should not put undue reliance
on forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Risk Factors
You should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the other information set forth in this MD&A or
elsewhere in our Annual Report or our Annual Report on Form 10-K. These risks and other factors may affect
forward-looking statements, including those we make in this MD&A or elsewhere, such as in news releases or
investor or analyst calls, meetings or presentations. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only
ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be
immaterial may also adversely affect our business. Any of these risks or uncertainties could cause our actual results
to differ materially from our expectations and the expected results discussed in our forward-looking statements.
You should not consider past results to be an indication of future performance.
If any of the following risks or uncertainties develops into actual events or if the circumstances described in the
risks or uncertainties occur or continue to occur, these events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect
on our business, cash flows, financial condition or operating results. In that case, the trading price of our common
stock could decline materially.
The continuing public policy debate on Health Care Reform, additional changes to the U.S. health care
system and the stressed economic environment, with high U.S. unemployment, present overarching risks to
all aspects of our enterprise.
The political environment in which we operate remains uncertain. There can be no assurance that the
implementation of Health Care Reform, additional changes to the U.S. health care system, including changes to
Health Care Reform, or the impact of the economic environment will not adversely affect our business, cash flows,
financial condition or operating results. See “Regulatory Environment - General” beginning on page 25 and
“Adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad can significantly and adversely affect our businesses and
profitability, and we do not expect these conditions to improve in the near future” beginning on page 45.