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CNO Financial to Report Q3 Earnings: What Should We Expect?

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Key Takeaways

  • CNO Financial's Q3 EPS is projected at $1.09, up 13.5%, while revenues are seen falling 16.7% to $993M.
  • CNO's health, Medicare Supplement, annuity and Worksite sales may grow, offset by weaker Consumer life sales.
  • CNO beat earnings estimates for four quarters, but its 0.00% Earnings ESP leaves the next beat uncertain.

CNO Financial Group, Inc. (CNO - Free Report) , a provider of health and life insurance, annuities and financial services, is set to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 29, after the closing bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $1.09 per share on revenues of $993 million.

The third-quarter earnings estimate has remained unchanged over the past 60 days. The bottom-line estimate implies a 13.5% year-over-year increase, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues indicates a 16.7% decline from the year-ago level.

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For 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNO Financial’s revenues is pegged at $4.02 billion, indicating an 11.2% year-over-year decline. The earnings estimate is pegged at $4.74 per share, implying a 16.2% year-over-year increase.

CNO beat the consensus estimate for earnings in each of the last four quarters, with the average surprise being 23.2%. This performance is illustrated in the figure below.

CNO Financial Group, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Q3 Earnings Whispers for CNO

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy), or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That’s not the case here.

CNO currently has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Factors at Play

CNO Financial's third-quarter revenues are likely to have been affected by weaker Consumer life sales and lower fee revenues. Sustained sales growth in health, Medicare Supplement, annuity, and Worksite insurance products could have partly offset the negatives.

Higher net investment income, supported by portfolio yields and business growth, is likely to have aided earnings. Insurance product margins are likely to have benefited from business growth and broadly favorable claims experience.

However, continued technology modernization expenses and a rise in total benefits and expenses as a result of higher insurance policy benefits may have weighed on profit growth. 

Stocks That Warrant a Look

While an earnings beat looks uncertain for CNO, here are some companies from the broader Finance space that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around:

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (SKWD - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +7.55% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Skyward Specialty Insurance Group’s earnings for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $1.22 per share, indicating 16.2% year-over-year growth. The consensus estimate for revenues is pinned at $507.3 million. SKWD beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with the average surprise being 19.4%.

Palomar Holdings, Inc. (PLMR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.29% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Palomar Holdings’ bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $2.60 per share, indicating 29.4% year-over-year growth. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with the average surprise being 13%. The consensus estimate for PLMR’s revenues is pegged at $376.5 million.

Primerica, Inc. (PRI - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.35% and a Zacks Rank #3.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Primerica’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $6.39 per share, indicating 1% year-over-year growth. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with the average surprise being 9.8%. The consensus estimate for PRI’s revenues is pegged at $900.9 million.

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