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CB Q2 Earnings Beat on Higher Underwriting and Investment Income
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Key Takeaways
Chubb's core operating EPS rose 18.2% to $7.26, beating estimates by 9.5%.
P&C underwriting income increased 18.8%, while the combined ratio improved to 83.8%.
Record investment income and lower catastrophe losses helped strengthen Chubb's quarterly results.
Chubb Limited (CB - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 core operating earnings of $7.26 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.63 by 9.5%. The bottom line increased 18.2% year over year.
Revenues rose 2.7% year over year to $15.77 billion but missed the consensus mark of $15.90 billion by 0.8%. Stronger P&C underwriting, record investment income and higher life insurance income supported results. Net premiums earned increased 5.8% to $13.89 billion.
CB's Underwriting Profit Rises
P&C underwriting income increased 18.8% year over year to $1.94 billion. The combined ratio improved 180 basis points to 83.8%, reflecting a lower share of premiums consumed by claims and expenses. Our estimate was $1.15 billion.
Current accident year underwriting income, excluding catastrophe losses, advanced 5.8% to $2.13 billion. The corresponding combined ratio improved 10 basis points to 82.2%, indicating steady underlying profitability.
Pre-tax net catastrophe losses were $475 million, down from $630 million in the year-ago quarter. Favorable prior-period reserve development increased to $283 million from $249 million.
These factors helped offset softer conditions in selected property lines. Management said pricing pressure remained most pronounced in large-account and excess and surplus property, while softness was spreading to parts of casualty and financial lines.
CB's Premium Growth Remains Broad
Consolidated net premiums written increased 3.6% year over year to $14.71 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was $15 billion while our estimate was $15.1 billion. P&C net premiums written rose 3.0% to $12.77 billion and increased 6.3% when large-account and excess and surplus property were excluded.
Global P&C net premiums written, excluding agriculture, advanced 2.8% to $11.99 billion. Life insurance net premiums written grew 7.5% to $1.94 billion, adding balance to the company's premium expansion.
Chubb's North America Results Diverge
North America Commercial P&C net premiums written declined 2.3% to $5.59 billion. Our estimate was $5.9 billion. Major accounts and specialty fell 9.0% as underwriting actions weighed on property business, while middle-market and small commercial premiums increased 8.9% to $2.34 billion.
North America Personal P&C net premiums written grew 6.0% to $2.05 billion (our estimate was $2 billion), while its combined ratio improved 620 basis points to 67.3%. Agricultural premiums rose 6.0% to $776 million (our estimate was $769 billion), though the segment's combined ratio increased 60 basis points to 89.7%.
CB's Overseas Business Delivers Growth
Overseas General Insurance net premiums written jumped 10.2% to $3.99 billion, or 4.8% in constant dollars. Our estimate was $4.2 billion. Commercial P&C premiums increased 8.8%, while consumer P&C premiums advanced 12.1%.
The segment's combined ratio improved 810 basis points to 82.2%. Latin America, Asia and Europe posted premium growth of 15.6%, 12.0% and 5.1%, respectively, underscoring the benefit of Chubb's geographic diversification.
Chubb's Investment and Life Income Rise
Pre-tax net investment income increased 12.3% to a record $1.76 billion. Adjusted net investment income rose 11.4% to $1.88 billion, supported by fixed-income and alternative asset portfolios.
Life Insurance segment income increased 9.0% to $332 million. Net premiums written and deposits collected climbed 14.4% to $2.65 billion, with International Life income up 13.0%.
CB's Cash Flow Funds Shareholder Returns
Operating cash flow totaled $3.73 billion, while adjusted operating cash flow was $3.48 billion. Chubb returned $1.37 billion to shareholders during the quarter.
Share repurchases totaled $979 million at an average price of $327.18 per share. Dividend payments were $395 million, bringing the total capital returned during the first six months of 2026 to $2.90 billion.
Chubb's Book Value Strengthens
Book value per share was $195.45 as of June 30, 2026, up 12.3% year over year. Tangible book value per share increased 17.1% to $131.93.
Annualized core operating return on tangible equity was 21.2%, while annualized core operating return on equity was 14.5%. Total invested assets were $175.40 billion, supporting the company's investment income base.
The Progressive Corporation’s (PGR - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $4.85 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.2%. The bottom line, however, decreased 6.1% year over year. Net premiums written were $21.1 billion in the quarter, up 5% from $20.1 billion a year ago.
Net premiums earned grew 6% to $21.6 billion. The reported figure met the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Net realized gains on securities were $604 million, up 56% year over year. Combined ratio — the percentage of premiums paid out as claims and expenses — deteriorated 110 basis points from the prior-year quarter’s level to 87.1.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 core income of $10.04 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.21 by 92.7%. The bottom line climbed 54% year over year. Revenues of $12.09 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.27 billion by 1.5%.
Net investment income rose 14% year over year to $1.07 billion pre-tax ($883 million after tax). The combined ratio improved 670 basis points year over year to 83.6%, reflecting lower catastrophe losses, stronger reserve development and a better underlying combined ratio.
W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 operating income of $1.27 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 16.5%. The bottom line increased 21% year over year. Operating revenues totaled $3.8 billion, up 3.6% year over year. The top line surpassed the consensus estimate by 1.87%.
W.R. Berkley’s net premiums written were about $3.4 billion, up 2.4% year over year. The figure surpassed our estimate of $3.4 billion. The consolidated combined ratio (a measure of underwriting profitability) improved 160 basis points year over year to 90, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 92.
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CB Q2 Earnings Beat on Higher Underwriting and Investment Income
Key Takeaways
Chubb Limited (CB - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 core operating earnings of $7.26 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.63 by 9.5%. The bottom line increased 18.2% year over year.
Revenues rose 2.7% year over year to $15.77 billion but missed the consensus mark of $15.90 billion by 0.8%. Stronger P&C underwriting, record investment income and higher life insurance income supported results. Net premiums earned increased 5.8% to $13.89 billion.
CB's Underwriting Profit Rises
P&C underwriting income increased 18.8% year over year to $1.94 billion. The combined ratio improved 180 basis points to 83.8%, reflecting a lower share of premiums consumed by claims and expenses. Our estimate was $1.15 billion.
Current accident year underwriting income, excluding catastrophe losses, advanced 5.8% to $2.13 billion. The corresponding combined ratio improved 10 basis points to 82.2%, indicating steady underlying profitability.
Chubb Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Chubb Limited price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Chubb Limited Quote
Chubb's Catastrophe Losses Decline
Pre-tax net catastrophe losses were $475 million, down from $630 million in the year-ago quarter. Favorable prior-period reserve development increased to $283 million from $249 million.
These factors helped offset softer conditions in selected property lines. Management said pricing pressure remained most pronounced in large-account and excess and surplus property, while softness was spreading to parts of casualty and financial lines.
CB's Premium Growth Remains Broad
Consolidated net premiums written increased 3.6% year over year to $14.71 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was $15 billion while our estimate was $15.1 billion. P&C net premiums written rose 3.0% to $12.77 billion and increased 6.3% when large-account and excess and surplus property were excluded.
Global P&C net premiums written, excluding agriculture, advanced 2.8% to $11.99 billion. Life insurance net premiums written grew 7.5% to $1.94 billion, adding balance to the company's premium expansion.
Chubb's North America Results Diverge
North America Commercial P&C net premiums written declined 2.3% to $5.59 billion. Our estimate was $5.9 billion. Major accounts and specialty fell 9.0% as underwriting actions weighed on property business, while middle-market and small commercial premiums increased 8.9% to $2.34 billion.
North America Personal P&C net premiums written grew 6.0% to $2.05 billion (our estimate was $2 billion), while its combined ratio improved 620 basis points to 67.3%. Agricultural premiums rose 6.0% to $776 million (our estimate was $769 billion), though the segment's combined ratio increased 60 basis points to 89.7%.
CB's Overseas Business Delivers Growth
Overseas General Insurance net premiums written jumped 10.2% to $3.99 billion, or 4.8% in constant dollars. Our estimate was $4.2 billion. Commercial P&C premiums increased 8.8%, while consumer P&C premiums advanced 12.1%.
The segment's combined ratio improved 810 basis points to 82.2%. Latin America, Asia and Europe posted premium growth of 15.6%, 12.0% and 5.1%, respectively, underscoring the benefit of Chubb's geographic diversification.
Chubb's Investment and Life Income Rise
Pre-tax net investment income increased 12.3% to a record $1.76 billion. Adjusted net investment income rose 11.4% to $1.88 billion, supported by fixed-income and alternative asset portfolios.
Life Insurance segment income increased 9.0% to $332 million. Net premiums written and deposits collected climbed 14.4% to $2.65 billion, with International Life income up 13.0%.
CB's Cash Flow Funds Shareholder Returns
Operating cash flow totaled $3.73 billion, while adjusted operating cash flow was $3.48 billion. Chubb returned $1.37 billion to shareholders during the quarter.
Share repurchases totaled $979 million at an average price of $327.18 per share. Dividend payments were $395 million, bringing the total capital returned during the first six months of 2026 to $2.90 billion.
Chubb's Book Value Strengthens
Book value per share was $195.45 as of June 30, 2026, up 12.3% year over year. Tangible book value per share increased 17.1% to $131.93.
Annualized core operating return on tangible equity was 21.2%, while annualized core operating return on equity was 14.5%. Total invested assets were $175.40 billion, supporting the company's investment income base.
Zacks Rank
Chubb 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 Insurers
The Progressive Corporation’s (PGR - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $4.85 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.2%. The bottom line, however, decreased 6.1% year over year. Net premiums written were $21.1 billion in the quarter, up 5% from $20.1 billion a year ago.
Net premiums earned grew 6% to $21.6 billion. The reported figure met the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Net realized gains on securities were $604 million, up 56% year over year. Combined ratio — the percentage of premiums paid out as claims and expenses — deteriorated 110 basis points from the prior-year quarter’s level to 87.1.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 core income of $10.04 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.21 by 92.7%. The bottom line climbed 54% year over year. Revenues of $12.09 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.27 billion by 1.5%.
Net investment income rose 14% year over year to $1.07 billion pre-tax ($883 million after tax). The combined ratio improved 670 basis points year over year to 83.6%, reflecting lower catastrophe losses, stronger reserve development and a better underlying combined ratio.
W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 operating income of $1.27 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 16.5%. The bottom line increased 21% year over year. Operating revenues totaled $3.8 billion, up 3.6% year over year. The top line surpassed the consensus estimate by 1.87%.
W.R. Berkley’s net premiums written were about $3.4 billion, up 2.4% year over year. The figure surpassed our estimate of $3.4 billion. The consolidated combined ratio (a measure of underwriting profitability) improved 160 basis points year over year to 90, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 92.