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CNA Financial Corporation (CNA - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2017 operating income of 88 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 17.3%. Also, the bottom line improved 18.9% from the prior-year quarter.
The quarter witnessed a better performance by Specialty, Commercial, International as well as Life and Group Non-Core segments. However, the company displayed lower net investment income in the reported quarter. Nonetheless, the company experienced improvement in both its underlying loss as well as expense ratios, thus marking the period as one of the best underwriting quarters in the past decade.
Including net realized investment gains, net income of $1.00 per share jumped 29.9% year over year.
CNA Financial Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Net investment income declined about 10% year over year to $276 million due to decrease in limited partnership returns in the quarter.
Net written premiums at Property & Casualty Operations improved 4.7% year over year to $1.7 billion. Net operating income increased about 14% year over year to $261 million owing to improved current accident year underwriting results. However, lower net investment income partially offset the upside. Combined ratio improved 390 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis to 93.5%.
As of Jun 30, 2017, book value (excluding AOCI) was $44.26 per share, down 1.4% from Dec 31, 2016.
Segment Results
Specialty net written premiums rose 3.6% year over year to $716 million. A modest increase in new business resulted in the upside. Retention was 88% in the reported quarter. Average rate for policies grew 1% year over year. Combined ratio deteriorated 450 bps to 89.9%.
Commercial net written premiums increased 3.6% year over year to $767 million, driven by higher new business within Middle Markets. Retention declined to 82% in the quarter under review. Average rate for the policies was remained flat year over year. Combined ratio improved 840 bps to 95.1%.
International net written premiums climbed 12.9% year over year to $219 million. The company achieved retention of 78% in the second quarter. Average rate on policies remained flat year over year. Combined ratio improved 1850 bps to 100.1%.
Life & Group Non-Core operating revenues inched up 0.9% year over year to $330 million. Net operating income of $5 million compared favorably with the year-ago loss of $4 million.
Corporate & Other Non-Core net operating loss of $27 million was considerably wider than a loss of $24 million in the year-ago quarter.
Dividend Update
The board of directors of CNA Financial announced a quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share during the reported quarter. The dividend will be paid on Aug 30 to stockholders of record as of Aug 14, 2017.
Among other players from the same space that have reported their second-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line at The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) and The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) missed their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate while RLI Corp. (RLI - Free Report) beat the same.
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CNA Financial (CNA) Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Grow Y/Y
CNA Financial Corporation (CNA - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2017 operating income of 88 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 17.3%. Also, the bottom line improved 18.9% from the prior-year quarter.
The quarter witnessed a better performance by Specialty, Commercial, International as well as Life and Group Non-Core segments. However, the company displayed lower net investment income in the reported quarter. Nonetheless, the company experienced improvement in both its underlying loss as well as expense ratios, thus marking the period as one of the best underwriting quarters in the past decade.
Including net realized investment gains, net income of $1.00 per share jumped 29.9% year over year.
CNA Financial Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
CNA Financial Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | CNA Financial Corporation Quote
Behind Second-Quarter Headlines
Net investment income declined about 10% year over year to $276 million due to decrease in limited partnership returns in the quarter.
Net written premiums at Property & Casualty Operations improved 4.7% year over year to $1.7 billion. Net operating income increased about 14% year over year to $261 million owing to improved current accident year underwriting results. However, lower net investment income partially offset the upside. Combined ratio improved 390 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis to 93.5%.
As of Jun 30, 2017, book value (excluding AOCI) was $44.26 per share, down 1.4% from Dec 31, 2016.
Segment Results
Specialty net written premiums rose 3.6% year over year to $716 million. A modest increase in new business resulted in the upside. Retention was 88% in the reported quarter. Average rate for policies grew 1% year over year. Combined ratio deteriorated 450 bps to 89.9%.
Commercial net written premiums increased 3.6% year over year to $767 million, driven by higher new business within Middle Markets. Retention declined to 82% in the quarter under review. Average rate for the policies was remained flat year over year. Combined ratio improved 840 bps to 95.1%.
International net written premiums climbed 12.9% year over year to $219 million. The company achieved retention of 78% in the second quarter. Average rate on policies remained flat year over year. Combined ratio improved 1850 bps to 100.1%.
Life & Group Non-Core operating revenues inched up 0.9% year over year to $330 million. Net operating income of $5 million compared favorably with the year-ago loss of $4 million.
Corporate & Other Non-Core net operating loss of $27 million was considerably wider than a loss of $24 million in the year-ago quarter.
Dividend Update
The board of directors of CNA Financial announced a quarterly dividend of 30 cents per share during the reported quarter. The dividend will be paid on Aug 30 to stockholders of record as of Aug 14, 2017.
Zacks Rank
CNA Financial currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other P&C Insurers
Among other players from the same space that have reported their second-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line at The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) and The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) missed their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate while RLI Corp. (RLI - Free Report) beat the same.
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 >>