By Corrie Driebusch and Caitlin Nish

Some stocks to watch this morning, including Hartford Financial Services and Avis Budget.

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.'s second-quarter core profit fell 68% on disaster and asbestos costs, while the insurance and investment company unveiled a $500 million stock buyback authorization.

Avis Budget Group Inc. doubled its second-quarter earnings, helped by a sharp jump in international car-rental revenue.

Cigna Corp.'s second-quarter earnings rose 39% as the managed-care company reported strong membership growth and lower health-claims costs. Adjusted profit and revenue beat analysts' expectations and Cigna raised its 2011 per-share earnings forecast.

Online-data researcher comScore Inc. swung to a second-quarter loss on a series of one-time charges, though adjusted earnings were better than expected.

Oil-and-gas company Concho Resources Inc.'s second-quarter profit surged 87% as oil and natural gas production jumped sharply, while energy prices also increased.

DirecTV Group Inc.'s second-quarter profit improved 29% as the television provider continued to add subscribers in the U.S. and Latin America, helping revenue jump more than analysts expected.

Essex Property Trust Inc.'s second-quarter profit grew 8.4% as market rents increased during the quarter, helping a key profitability metric grow from a year ago.

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