Second-quarter sales totaled $6.79 billion, up 9% from a year ago but still short of the $6.84 billion consensus estimate. Overall, however, Aetna delivered upside in the areas that seem to matter most. Indeed, the company beat all of the targets -- including revenue -- set forth by Bear Stearns analyst John Rex just last week. For starters, Aetna's 64,000 customer gains fully doubled Rex's expectations. The company's all-important commercial MCR came in slightly better than his projection, too. Moreover, defying Rex's forecast, the company's profits beat the consensus estimate. Rex maintained a tepid peer-perform rating on Aetna's stock ahead of the company's latest update. His firm has non-investment banking ties to Aetna and holds a significant financial position in the company's debt. Most other analysts remain on the sidelines with similar ratings on Aetna's stock.