WASHINGTON — The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes dipped in June from a six-year high in May, a sign sales could stabilize over the next few months.

The National Association of Realtors said Monday its seasonally adjusted index for pending home sales ticked down 0.4 percent to 110.9 in June. The May reading was revised lower by a percentage point to 111.3, but it was still the highest since December 2006.

The slight decline suggests higher mortgage rates may be starting to slow sales. Still, signed contracts are 10.9 percent higher than they were a year ago.

Insurer Aetna’s 2Q profit rises 17%

Aetna’s second-quarter earnings jumped 17 percent, and the health insurer raised its 2013 forecast as it reaped revenue and enrollment gains from its acquisition of fellow insurer Coventry Health Care.

The Hartford, Conn., company said today it earned $536 million, or $1.49 per share, in the three months that ended June 30. That’s up from $457.6 million, or $1.32 per share, in last year’s second quarter.