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Lincoln National (LNC) Reports Q3 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say

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For the quarter ended September 2026, Lincoln National (LNC - Free Report) reported revenue of $5.06 billion, up 5.8% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $1.72, compared to $2.04 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.01 billion, representing a surprise of +0.9%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -12.25%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $1.96.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how Lincoln National performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
  • Net Flows - Retirement Plan Services: $-1.94 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $220.49 million.
  • Loss Ratio - Group Protection: 78.4% compared to the 71.7% average estimate based on two analysts.
  • Net Flows - Annuities: $-2.7 billion versus $-2.22 billion estimated by two analysts on average.
  • Net Flows - Life Insurance: $366 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $834.64 million.
  • Revenues- Net investment income: $1.72 billion compared to the $1.55 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +11.7% year over year.
  • Revenues- Fee income: $1.42 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $1.48 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +2.3%.
  • Revenues- Insurance premiums: $1.67 billion compared to the $1.7 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1.7% year over year.
  • Revenues- Annuities- Other revenues: $141 million compared to the $137.68 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +7.6% year over year.
  • Revenues- Life Insurance- Other revenues: $69 million compared to the $47.58 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +53.3% year over year.
  • Revenues- Annuities: $1.37 billion versus $1.38 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +7.8% change.
  • Revenues- Retirement Plan Services: $357 million versus $351.48 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +4.1% change.
  • Revenues- Life Insurance: $1.68 billion compared to the $1.69 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +4.5% year over year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Lincoln National here>>>

Shares of Lincoln National have returned +1.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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