INDIANAPOLIS — Shares of WellPoint Inc. climbed Wednesday after it became the latest insurer to report a steep profit drop but dumped no fresh bad news on investors wary of the sector.

The nation’s largest insurer by enrollment said it earned $331.4 million, or 65 cents per share, in the fourth quarter, down 61 percent from $859.1 million, or $1.51 per share, a year ago. Revenue fell 3 percent to $15.07 billion from $15.57 billion.

WellPoint shares rose 4.4 percent, or $1.88, to $44.50 at close of trading Wednesday

— From wire reports