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Here's Why You Should Hold on to CNA Financial (CNA) Now
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Shares of CNA Financial Corporation (CNA - Free Report) gained 39.5% in the last one year, significantly outperforming the Zacks categorized Property and Casualty industry’s increase of 17.4%. Also, the company witnessed its 2017 estimates moving north by nearly 4.7% over the last 60 days. We expect the stock to retain its momentum on the back of a number of positives.
CNA Financial has an excellent track record of combined ratio over a considerable period of time. This clearly indicates the company’s consistent underwriting profitability and discipline in spite of a tough operating environment. Although the metric deteriorated slightly in 2016, we expect the company to maintain combined ratio at favorable levels in the near term.
Further, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) property and casualty (P&C) insurer remains committed toward boosting and improving management of the Long Term Care business. Apart from offering better services to policyholders, the Long Term Care business delivers improved claim outcomes efficiently, and has achieved breakeven or better financial results. The company remains focused on managing business risks alongside improving the standard of policyholder service.
Moreover, the P&C insurer boasts a solid capital position, backed by strong liquidity. The company remains confident about its liquidity position and believes that it is capable of funding its current and expected working capital and debt obligation needs.
This apart, a strong balance sheet and liquidity position have enabled CNA Financial to engage in shareholder-friendly moves like dividend hikes. The company has consistently increased dividends over the past few years. Its quarterly dividend has grown at a four-year CAGR (2012–2016) of 49.5%.
Notably, the P&C insurer’s stock seems to be undervalued as it is trading at 0.99x price to book multiple over a period of one year. This compares favorably with the P&C industry’s multiple of 1.43x.
However, exposure to catastrophe losses will continue to adversely impact the company’s overall results. In addition, escalating expenses pose an inherent risk for the company by restricting margin expansion.
American Financial offers P&C insurance products in the United States. The company delivered positive surprises in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 6.45%.
The Progressive Corporation offers personal and commercial P&C insurance, and other specialty P&C insurance and related services primarily in the United States. The company delivered a positive surprise in two of the last four quarters with an average beat of 1.32%.
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%.
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Here's Why You Should Hold on to CNA Financial (CNA) Now
Shares of CNA Financial Corporation (CNA - Free Report) gained 39.5% in the last one year, significantly outperforming the Zacks categorized Property and Casualty industry’s increase of 17.4%. Also, the company witnessed its 2017 estimates moving north by nearly 4.7% over the last 60 days. We expect the stock to retain its momentum on the back of a number of positives.
CNA Financial has an excellent track record of combined ratio over a considerable period of time. This clearly indicates the company’s consistent underwriting profitability and discipline in spite of a tough operating environment. Although the metric deteriorated slightly in 2016, we expect the company to maintain combined ratio at favorable levels in the near term.
Further, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) property and casualty (P&C) insurer remains committed toward boosting and improving management of the Long Term Care business. Apart from offering better services to policyholders, the Long Term Care business delivers improved claim outcomes efficiently, and has achieved breakeven or better financial results. The company remains focused on managing business risks alongside improving the standard of policyholder service.
Moreover, the P&C insurer boasts a solid capital position, backed by strong liquidity. The company remains confident about its liquidity position and believes that it is capable of funding its current and expected working capital and debt obligation needs.
This apart, a strong balance sheet and liquidity position have enabled CNA Financial to engage in shareholder-friendly moves like dividend hikes. The company has consistently increased dividends over the past few years. Its quarterly dividend has grown at a four-year CAGR (2012–2016) of 49.5%.
Notably, the P&C insurer’s stock seems to be undervalued as it is trading at 0.99x price to book multiple over a period of one year. This compares favorably with the P&C industry’s multiple of 1.43x.
However, exposure to catastrophe losses will continue to adversely impact the company’s overall results. In addition, escalating expenses pose an inherent risk for the company by restricting margin expansion.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks from the same space include American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG - Free Report) , The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) and Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. . Each of these stocks sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
American Financial offers P&C insurance products in the United States. The company delivered positive surprises in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 6.45%.
The Progressive Corporation offers personal and commercial P&C insurance, and other specialty P&C insurance and related services primarily in the United States. The company delivered a positive surprise in two of the last four quarters with an average beat of 1.32%.
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%.
Zacks’ Best Private Investment Ideas
In addition to the recommendations that are available to the public on our website, how would you like to follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time?
Our experts cover all kinds of trades… from value to momentum . . . from stocks under $10 to ETF and option moves . . . from stocks that corporate insiders are buying up to companies that are about to report positive earnings surprises. You can even look inside exclusive portfolios that are normally closed to new investors. Starting today, for the next month, you can have unrestricted access. Click here for Zacks' private trades >>