WASHINGTON — Overnight today is the deadline to sign up for coverage under the federal health care law. Even if the ultimate fate of “ObamaCare” is uncertain, there’s been no change for this year. About 11.5 million people had enrolled as of Dec. 24.

The deadline is midnight Pacific time in the 39 states served by HealthCare.gov. States with their own insurance websites may have different deadlines.

Although premiums are up significantly this year, more than 8 in 10 customers get subsidies, and more than half qualify for extra help with deductibles and copays.

President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have promised to repeal and replace the Obama-era law, but without creating disruptions for millions already covered.

Consumers can enroll online or call 1-800-318-2596.

[naviga:h3]Wal-Mart adjusts shipping process[/naviga:h3]

NEW YORK — Wal-Mart is replacing a program that offered free shipping but had an annual fee with one that has a lower free shipping threshold and faster delivery as it hopes to answer Amazon’s powerful Prime membership success.

The retailer says it will reduce shipping time to two days on 2 million of its most popular essentials like diapers, pet food and cleaning supplies. Wal-Mart’s average shipping time has been three to five days. Starting this morning, it’s also reducing the spending necessary for free shipping to $35 from $50.

[naviga:h3]Shell to shed some oil fields to refocus[/naviga:h3]

LONDON — Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to sell stakes in 10 North Sea oil fields to smaller rival Chrysaor for as much as $3.8 billion as it dumps assets to refocus its business in an era of lower oil prices.

Some 400 employees are expected to transfer to Chrysaor as part of the deal. The assets produced 115,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day last year, more than half the 211,000 barrels generated by Shell’s North Sea operations.

The North Sea oil industry, one of the biggest and oldest in Europe, has been trying to cope with a toxic combination of aging, drying wells together with lower oil prices. The toxic combination has forced companies to rethink investments and putting thousands of jobs at risk.

[naviga:h3]Aetna beats 4Q profit forecasts[/naviga:h3]

HARTFORD, Conn. — Aetna today reported fourth-quarter earnings of $139 million.

On a per-share basis, the Hartford, Conn.-based company said it had net income of 39 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $1.63 per share.

The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.45 per share.

The health insurer posted revenue of $15.73 billion in the period, missing Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $15.87 billion.

Aetna expects full-year earnings to be $8.55 per share.