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Unum Group (UNM) Q1 Earnings Match Estimates, Revenues Beat
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Unum Group’s (UNM - Free Report) first-quarter 2019 operating net income of $1.31 per share was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line however improved 5.6% year over year.
The quarter witnessed good premium growth and stable benefits experience, which led to solid margin and cash flow.
Operational Update
Total operating revenues of Unum Group were nearly $3 billion, up 2.9% year over year on 3.9% higher premiums and a 7.3% increase in other income, partially offset by 1.3% lower investment income. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.9%.
Total benefits and expenses increased about 3% year over year to $2.6 billion. Rise in benefits and a change in reserves for future benefits, commission, interest and debt expense, amortization of deferred acquisition costs plus other expenses resulted in an overall increase in costs.
Unum U.S.: Premium income was $1.5 billion, up 4.4% year over year. Adjusted operating income was up 3.4% year over year to $252.3 million.
Solid performance at group life and accidental death and dismemberment line of business and supplemental and voluntary line of business drove the upside.
Unum International: Premium income grew 10.3% year over year to $154 million driven by addition of Unum Poland in the fourth quarter of 2018. Sales improved 32.2% to $22.6 million. Adjusted operating income was $29.1 million, up 2.3% year over year.
Benefit ratio was 70.2%, an improvement of 170 basis points (bps), reflecting the favorable impact of inflation-linked decreases in benefits related to its group products. Persistency increased in group long-term disability and group life business.
Colonial Life: Premium income increased 5.3% year over year to $419.3 million on sales growth. Sales improved 4.9% to $108.8 million driven by growth in existing customer account sales and the expansion of dental and vision products. Adjusted operating income rose 5.2% to $85.2 million.
Benefit ratio improved 50 bps year over year to 51.1%. Persistency declined 170 bps to 77.3%
Closed Block: Premium income decreased 3.6% from the year-ago quarter’s level. This decline stemmed from policy terminations and maturities. Adjusted operating income was $31 million, up 7.3% year over year.
Corporate: The segment incurred an operating loss of $45.4 million, wider than operating loss of $40.3 million in the year-earlier quarter attributable to lower net investment income, increase in expenses resulting from a higher level of outstanding debt, a higher overall rate of interest, and higher pension costs.
Capital Management
As of Mar 31, 2019, the weighted average risk-based capital ratio for Unum Group’s traditional U.S. insurance companies was approximately 360%. Unum Group exited the quarter with cash and marketable securities worth $594 million.
Book value per share of Unum Group fell 0.6% year over year to $42.68 as of Mar 31, 2019.
The company bought back 2.7 million shares for $100 million in the first quarter.
2019 Guidance
Unum Group projects after-tax operating income growth per share between 4% and 7%.
Among the other insurance industry players, which have reported first-quarter results so far, earnings of Aflac Incorporated (AFL - Free Report) and Torchmark Corporation beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate while that of Reinsurance Group of America Incorporated (RGA - Free Report) missed the same.
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Unum Group (UNM) Q1 Earnings Match Estimates, Revenues Beat
Unum Group’s (UNM - Free Report) first-quarter 2019 operating net income of $1.31 per share was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line however improved 5.6% year over year.
The quarter witnessed good premium growth and stable benefits experience, which led to solid margin and cash flow.
Operational Update
Total operating revenues of Unum Group were nearly $3 billion, up 2.9% year over year on 3.9% higher premiums and a 7.3% increase in other income, partially offset by 1.3% lower investment income. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.9%.
Total benefits and expenses increased about 3% year over year to $2.6 billion. Rise in benefits and a change in reserves for future benefits, commission, interest and debt expense, amortization of deferred acquisition costs plus other expenses resulted in an overall increase in costs.
Unum Group Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Unum Group Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Unum Group Quote
Quarterly Segment Update
Unum U.S.: Premium income was $1.5 billion, up 4.4% year over year. Adjusted operating income was up 3.4% year over year to $252.3 million.
Solid performance at group life and accidental death and dismemberment line of business and supplemental and voluntary line of business drove the upside.
Unum International: Premium income grew 10.3% year over year to $154 million driven by addition of Unum Poland in the fourth quarter of 2018. Sales improved 32.2% to $22.6 million. Adjusted operating income was $29.1 million, up 2.3% year over year.
Benefit ratio was 70.2%, an improvement of 170 basis points (bps), reflecting the favorable impact of inflation-linked decreases in benefits related to its group products. Persistency increased in group long-term disability and group life business.
Colonial Life: Premium income increased 5.3% year over year to $419.3 million on sales growth. Sales improved 4.9% to $108.8 million driven by growth in existing customer account sales and the expansion of dental and vision products. Adjusted operating income rose 5.2% to $85.2 million.
Benefit ratio improved 50 bps year over year to 51.1%. Persistency declined 170 bps to 77.3%
Closed Block: Premium income decreased 3.6% from the year-ago quarter’s level. This decline stemmed from policy terminations and maturities. Adjusted operating income was $31 million, up 7.3% year over year.
Corporate: The segment incurred an operating loss of $45.4 million, wider than operating loss of $40.3 million in the year-earlier quarter attributable to lower net investment income, increase in expenses resulting from a higher level of outstanding debt, a higher overall rate of interest, and higher pension costs.
Capital Management
As of Mar 31, 2019, the weighted average risk-based capital ratio for Unum Group’s traditional U.S. insurance companies was approximately 360%. Unum Group exited the quarter with cash and marketable securities worth $594 million.
Book value per share of Unum Group fell 0.6% year over year to $42.68 as of Mar 31, 2019.
The company bought back 2.7 million shares for $100 million in the first quarter.
2019 Guidance
Unum Group projects after-tax operating income growth per share between 4% and 7%.
Zacks Rank
Unum Group 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
Among the other insurance industry players, which have reported first-quarter results so far, earnings of Aflac Incorporated (AFL - Free Report) and Torchmark Corporation beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate while that of Reinsurance Group of America Incorporated (RGA - Free Report) missed the same.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 7 breakthrough stocks now>>