Boosted By Bailout, AIG Racks Up Profitable Quarter

AIG said it posted profits for the second quarter in a row as its core insurance operations continue to stabilize after the company's government bailout last year. American International Group Inc. also got a lift from the increasing value of investments it still holds that soured last year and helped drive it to the brink of collapse.

Net income available to common shareholders was $92 million, or 68 cents per share, in the three months ended Sept. 30 compared with a loss of $24.47 billion, or $181.02 per share, during the same quarter last year — the quarter when it was initially bailed out.

Including the government's portion of the profit, AIG earned $455 million during the latest quarter.

Despite the improved performance, AIG CEO Robert Benmosche warned earnings will remain choppy as the company executes its restructuring plan.

"We continue to focus on stabilizing and strengthening our businesses, but expect continued volatility in reported results in the coming quarters, due in part to charges related to ongoing restructuring activities," Benmosche said in a statement.

Investors' initial reaction to the report is negative. Shares of AIG fell $2.83, or 7.2 percent, to $36.45 in premarket trading.

AIG was bailed out in September 2008 by the government as the financial crisis spiraled out of control. The insurer has received aid packages with a total value of more than $182 billion from the government. In return for that financial support, the government received an 80 percent stake in AIG.

AIG has been working for the past year to sell assets and streamline operations in an effort to repay the government debt.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, on average, forecast earnings of $1.98 per share for the quarter. Analysts estimates do not always include all charges a company might take throughout the quarter.