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Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights MetLife, American International, Prudential, Hartford Financial Services and Assurant
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 22, 2024 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses MetLife Inc. (MET - Free Report) , American International Group Inc. (AIG - Free Report) , Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU - Free Report) , The Hartford Financial Services Group (HIG - Free Report) and Assurant Inc (AIZ - Free Report) .
Product diversification helps Zacks Multiline Insurance industry players lower concentration risk, ensure uninterrupted revenue generation and improve retention ratio. Better pricing, prudent underwriting, increased exposure and faster economic recovery should benefit MetLife Inc., American International Group Inc., Prudential Financial Inc., The Hartford Financial Services Group and Assurant Inc. Accelerated digitalization will help in the smooth functioning of the industry.
The solid capital level of the multiline insurers will fuel merger and acquisition (M&A) activities. An improving rate environment should drive higher investment income as insurers are beneficiaries of a better rate environment.
About the Industry
The Zacks Multiline Insurance industry comprises companies that provide single insurance coverage, bundling automobile, homeowner, long-term care, and life and health insurance to individuals and businesses. The insured pays a single premium and is covered for many things through a single contract. These companies cover commercial and personal properties, automobiles, marine, livestock, aviation, personal accident, life, including permanent and term insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, workers’ compensation, annuity products, private mortgage insurance, et al.
The players also provide risk management services. Since the companies offer single insurance coverage for multiple products, customer retention improves. The insured stands to benefit from lower premium payments compared to paying individual premiums for insuring varied products.
3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Multiline Insurance Industry
Diversified portfolio lowers concentration risk: Given the nature of the business, multiline insurers’ product and service portfolios are diversified. This lowers concentration risk. Increased awareness, driving higher demand for protection products, should benefit sales and premiums of life insurance operations. Continued improvement in pricing and an increase in exposure should support premium growth. Also, per Deloitte Insights, the transition to green energy and related insurance products, as well as exposure to intangible assets, offers growth opportunities. Per a report in Carrier Management, AM Best expects profitable commercial lines and improving personal lines in 2024.
Merger and acquisitions: Consolidation in the multi-line insurance industry is expected to continue as players look to diversify their operations into new business lines and geographies. Buying businesses along the same lines is driven by the players’ need to gain a fair market share and grow in their niche areas. Consolidations that slowed down earlier due to inflation are expected to be on the rise again in 2024. Insurance technology companies are expected to top the list per media reports. The industry is undergoing accelerated digitalization.
Increased adoption of technology: Digitalization has increased by leaps and bounds. The industry is witnessing greater use of technology like blockchain, AI, advanced analytics, telematics, cloud computing and robotic process automation to expedite business operations and save costs. Many life insurers have started selling policies online that appeal to the tech-savvy population.
At the same time, the use of real-time data is making premium calculation easier and reducing risk. The P&C industry, in particular, also witnessed the emergence of insurtech — technology-led insurers — sparking competition for incumbent players. Insurers remain focused on ramping up data and analytics capabilities as well as realizing the benefit of the technological infrastructure per Deloitte Insights. Moreover, the adoption of technology has helped in seamless underwriting and claims processing. However, the adoption of technology comes with the risk of cyber threats.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates encouraging prospects in the near term. The Zacks Multiline Insurance industry, housed within the broader Zacks Finance sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #32, which places it in the top 13% of 255 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is the result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. The rosy outlook reflects that the industry’s earnings estimates have been revised upward by analysts for the current year.
Before we present a few multiline insurance stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Outperforms Sector but Underperforms S&P 500
The Multiline Insurance industry has outperformed the sector over the past year but underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the same time frame. The stocks in this industry have collectively gained 29.6% in the past year compared with the Finance sector’s increase of 27.5% and the Zacks S&P 500 composite rise of 31.5% in the same time frame.
Current Valuation
On the basis of its trailing 12-month price-to-book (P/B), which is commonly used for valuing insurance stocks, the industry is currently trading at 2.36X compared with the S&P 500’s 6.39X and the sector’s 3.52X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 2.74X, as low as 0.69X and at the median of 1.49X.
5 Multiline Insurance Stocks to Keep an Eye On
We are presenting one Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock and four Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stocks from the Multiline Insurance industry.
Assurant: Headquartered in New York, Assurant is a global provider of risk management solutions in the housing and lifestyle markets. The well-performing Global Lifestyle business, growth in fee-based capital-light businesses and solid capital management augur well for the growth of this Zacks Rank #2 insurer. Assurant’s focus on growing fee-based capital-light businesses that presently constitute more than 50% of segmental revenues bodes well for growth. Management estimates that contribution from the same will continue to grow in double digits over the longer term.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 3.4% and 7.7%, respectively. The consensus estimate for 2024 and 2025 has moved 1.4% and 1.5% north, respectively, in the past 30 days. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 5.1%. AIZ delivered a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 42.15%.
American International Group: Headquartered in New York, AIG provides insurance products for commercial, institutional and individual customers in North America and internationally. Strategic business de-risking, acquisitions, cost-control efforts and accelerated capital deployment will drive this Zacks Rank #3 insurer’s growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 4.7% and 17.2%, respectively. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 10%, better than the industry average of 8.7%. AIG delivered a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.02%.
MetLife: This New York-based insurance-based global financial services company provides protection and investment products to a range of individual and institutional customers. This Zacks Rank #3 insurer’s focus on businesses with growth potential and strategies to control costs and increase efficiency bodes well for growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 20.2% and 13.3%, respectively. Its expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 15.1%, better than the industry average.
The Hartford Financial Services Group: Headquartered in Hartford, CT, this Zacks Rank #3 insurer is one of the major multi-line insurance and investment companies in the country. It is poised to grow on improvement in the quality and size of mortgage insurance in force, a decline in claim payments, given the strong credit characteristics of the new loans insured, maintenance of capital in compliance with regulations and its solid capital position.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 11.9% and 14.4%, respectively. Its expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 7%. HIG delivered a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.77%.
Prudential Financial: Headquartered in Newark, NJ, Prudential is a financial services leader offering an array of financial products and services. It carries a Zacks Rank #3. Its solid asset-based businesses, improved margins in the Group Insurance business, solid international operations, a high-performing asset management business and deeper reach in the pension risk transfer market are catalysts for long-term growth. A vast distribution network, a compelling product portfolio and a superior brand image will give it a competitive edge. PRU is on track to become a higher-growth, less market-sensitive business.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 15.5% and 7.5%, respectively. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 10.2%.
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Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/ Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights MetLife, American International, Prudential, Hartford Financial Services and Assurant
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 22, 2024 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses MetLife Inc. (MET - Free Report) , American International Group Inc. (AIG - Free Report) , Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU - Free Report) , The Hartford Financial Services Group (HIG - Free Report) and Assurant Inc (AIZ - Free Report) .
Industry: Multi-Line Insurance
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2244108/5-stocks-to-watch-from-the-prospering-multiline-insurance-industry
Product diversification helps Zacks Multiline Insurance industry players lower concentration risk, ensure uninterrupted revenue generation and improve retention ratio. Better pricing, prudent underwriting, increased exposure and faster economic recovery should benefit MetLife Inc., American International Group Inc., Prudential Financial Inc., The Hartford Financial Services Group and Assurant Inc. Accelerated digitalization will help in the smooth functioning of the industry.
The solid capital level of the multiline insurers will fuel merger and acquisition (M&A) activities. An improving rate environment should drive higher investment income as insurers are beneficiaries of a better rate environment.
About the Industry
The Zacks Multiline Insurance industry comprises companies that provide single insurance coverage, bundling automobile, homeowner, long-term care, and life and health insurance to individuals and businesses. The insured pays a single premium and is covered for many things through a single contract. These companies cover commercial and personal properties, automobiles, marine, livestock, aviation, personal accident, life, including permanent and term insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, workers’ compensation, annuity products, private mortgage insurance, et al.
The players also provide risk management services. Since the companies offer single insurance coverage for multiple products, customer retention improves. The insured stands to benefit from lower premium payments compared to paying individual premiums for insuring varied products.
3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Multiline Insurance Industry
Diversified portfolio lowers concentration risk: Given the nature of the business, multiline insurers’ product and service portfolios are diversified. This lowers concentration risk. Increased awareness, driving higher demand for protection products, should benefit sales and premiums of life insurance operations. Continued improvement in pricing and an increase in exposure should support premium growth. Also, per Deloitte Insights, the transition to green energy and related insurance products, as well as exposure to intangible assets, offers growth opportunities. Per a report in Carrier Management, AM Best expects profitable commercial lines and improving personal lines in 2024.
Merger and acquisitions: Consolidation in the multi-line insurance industry is expected to continue as players look to diversify their operations into new business lines and geographies. Buying businesses along the same lines is driven by the players’ need to gain a fair market share and grow in their niche areas. Consolidations that slowed down earlier due to inflation are expected to be on the rise again in 2024. Insurance technology companies are expected to top the list per media reports. The industry is undergoing accelerated digitalization.
Increased adoption of technology: Digitalization has increased by leaps and bounds. The industry is witnessing greater use of technology like blockchain, AI, advanced analytics, telematics, cloud computing and robotic process automation to expedite business operations and save costs. Many life insurers have started selling policies online that appeal to the tech-savvy population.
At the same time, the use of real-time data is making premium calculation easier and reducing risk. The P&C industry, in particular, also witnessed the emergence of insurtech — technology-led insurers — sparking competition for incumbent players. Insurers remain focused on ramping up data and analytics capabilities as well as realizing the benefit of the technological infrastructure per Deloitte Insights. Moreover, the adoption of technology has helped in seamless underwriting and claims processing. However, the adoption of technology comes with the risk of cyber threats.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates encouraging prospects in the near term. The Zacks Multiline Insurance industry, housed within the broader Zacks Finance sector, currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #32, which places it in the top 13% of 255 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
The industry’s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is the result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. The rosy outlook reflects that the industry’s earnings estimates have been revised upward by analysts for the current year.
Before we present a few multiline insurance stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Outperforms Sector but Underperforms S&P 500
The Multiline Insurance industry has outperformed the sector over the past year but underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the same time frame. The stocks in this industry have collectively gained 29.6% in the past year compared with the Finance sector’s increase of 27.5% and the Zacks S&P 500 composite rise of 31.5% in the same time frame.
Current Valuation
On the basis of its trailing 12-month price-to-book (P/B), which is commonly used for valuing insurance stocks, the industry is currently trading at 2.36X compared with the S&P 500’s 6.39X and the sector’s 3.52X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 2.74X, as low as 0.69X and at the median of 1.49X.
5 Multiline Insurance Stocks to Keep an Eye On
We are presenting one Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock and four Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stocks from the Multiline Insurance industry.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Assurant: Headquartered in New York, Assurant is a global provider of risk management solutions in the housing and lifestyle markets. The well-performing Global Lifestyle business, growth in fee-based capital-light businesses and solid capital management augur well for the growth of this Zacks Rank #2 insurer. Assurant’s focus on growing fee-based capital-light businesses that presently constitute more than 50% of segmental revenues bodes well for growth. Management estimates that contribution from the same will continue to grow in double digits over the longer term.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 3.4% and 7.7%, respectively. The consensus estimate for 2024 and 2025 has moved 1.4% and 1.5% north, respectively, in the past 30 days. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 5.1%. AIZ delivered a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 42.15%.
American International Group: Headquartered in New York, AIG provides insurance products for commercial, institutional and individual customers in North America and internationally. Strategic business de-risking, acquisitions, cost-control efforts and accelerated capital deployment will drive this Zacks Rank #3 insurer’s growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 4.7% and 17.2%, respectively. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 10%, better than the industry average of 8.7%. AIG delivered a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.02%.
MetLife: This New York-based insurance-based global financial services company provides protection and investment products to a range of individual and institutional customers. This Zacks Rank #3 insurer’s focus on businesses with growth potential and strategies to control costs and increase efficiency bodes well for growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 20.2% and 13.3%, respectively. Its expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 15.1%, better than the industry average.
The Hartford Financial Services Group: Headquartered in Hartford, CT, this Zacks Rank #3 insurer is one of the major multi-line insurance and investment companies in the country. It is poised to grow on improvement in the quality and size of mortgage insurance in force, a decline in claim payments, given the strong credit characteristics of the new loans insured, maintenance of capital in compliance with regulations and its solid capital position.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 11.9% and 14.4%, respectively. Its expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 7%. HIG delivered a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 11.77%.
Prudential Financial: Headquartered in Newark, NJ, Prudential is a financial services leader offering an array of financial products and services. It carries a Zacks Rank #3. Its solid asset-based businesses, improved margins in the Group Insurance business, solid international operations, a high-performing asset management business and deeper reach in the pension risk transfer market are catalysts for long-term growth. A vast distribution network, a compelling product portfolio and a superior brand image will give it a competitive edge. PRU is on track to become a higher-growth, less market-sensitive business.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-increase of 15.5% and 7.5%, respectively. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 10.2%.
Why Haven’t You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
See Stocks Free >>
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/ Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.