Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Should You Retain Genworth (GNW) Stock in Your Portfolio?

Read MoreHide Full Article

Shares of Genworth Financial Inc. (GNW - Free Report) gained 48.91% in the last one year, significantly outperforming the Life Insurance industry’s growth of 25.61%. Also, the company saw estimates for 2017 moving north by nearly 7.9%. We expect the stock to retain its momentum on the back of a number of positives.



The life insurer remains optimistic about its pending acquisition by China Oceanwide. The buyout is expected to result in better services than currently offered and help improve value for Genworth’s customers. This in turn will accelerate the company’s long-term growth.

Further, Genworth remains focused on strengthening its balance sheet and stabilizing or improving ratings over time, particularly in its U.S. MI (Mortgage Insurance) business.

Moreover, the company’s mortgage insurance segment has been generating profits after incurring losses over an extended period. This apart, the company’s U.S. Mortgage Insurance business has been reporting improved results, mainly due to lower new delinquency development and effective loss mitigation programs as well as changes in aging of existing delinquencies.

Genworth’s stock seems to be undervalued as it is trading at 0.14x, with respect to price to book multiple, over a period of one year. This compares favorably with the Life Insurance industry’s multiple of 1.75x.

However, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) life insurer has been witnessing lower sales over the last several years, owing to new products and pricing changes at U.S. Life Insurance division. The company anticipates sales in the U.S. Life division to be two-third of Long Term Care Insurance, and one-third of Life Insurance in the near term.

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks from the insurance industry include Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. , Fidelity & Guaranty Life , Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. .

Health Insurance Innovations operates as a developer, distributor, and administrator of cloud-based individual health and family insurance plans, and supplemental products in the U.S. The company delivered positive surprises in all of the last four quarters with an average beat of 270.84%. The company sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Fidelity & Guaranty Life offers annuities and life insurance products in the U.S. The company delivered positive surprises in two of the last four quarters with an average beat of 15.85%. The company carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Argo Group International Holdings underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the P&C market worldwide. The company delivered positive surprises in all of the last four quarters with an average beat of 36.54%. The company holds a Zacks Rank #2.

More Stock News: 8 Companies Verge on Apple-Like Run

Did you miss Apple's 9X stock explosion after they launched their iPhone in 2007? Now 2017 looks to be a pivotal year to get in on another emerging technology expected to rock the market. Demand could soar from almost nothing to $42 billion by 2025. Reports suggest it could save 10 million lives per decade which could in turn save $200 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.

A bonus Zacks Special Report names this breakthrough and the 8 best stocks to exploit it. Like Apple in 2007, these companies are already strong and coiling for potential mega-gains. Click to see them right now >>


Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker


Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time


Genworth Financial, Inc. (GNW) - $25 value - yours FREE >>

Published in