Humana, Aetna Nuptials?

Doth the lady protest too much? That's the question, and the buzz, in home offices around the country:

"Aetna Inc. and Humana Inc. capped a brisk week of trading Friday when their shares rose as several reports surfaced that one insurer might want to buy the other."

So far there's scant evidence that any of this is true, but that obviously hasn't stopped the speculation [ed: which, of course, we're feeding].

This is developing, so we'll be updating as necessary.

[Hat Tip: Industry Radar]

Update 1: IF this merger takes place, it does make some sense. There's a synergy that the two carriers would offer since, combined, they'd be in pretty much the same league as the Big Boys (WellPoint and UHC). Also, this might help to solve one of Humana's problems (network issues) and, perhaps, some of Aetna's (lack of ability to actually write business). More later.