Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the life insurance stocks, including Horace Mann Educators (NYSE: HMN) and its peers.

Life insurance companies collect premiums from policyholders in exchange for providing a future death benefit or retirement income stream. Interest rates matter for the sector (and make it cyclical), with higher rates allowing insurers to reinvest their fixed-income portfolios at more attractive yields and vice versa. Additionally, favorable demographic shifts, such as an aging population, are driving strong demand for retirement products while AI and data analytics offer significant opportunities to improve underwriting accuracy and operational efficiency. Conversely, the industry faces headwinds from persistent competition from agile insurtechs that threaten traditional distribution models.

The 13 life insurance stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.7%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 6.6% since the latest earnings results.

Horace Mann Educators (NYSE: HMN)

Founded in 1945 and named after the 19th-century education reformer known as the "father of American public education," Horace Mann Educators (NYSE: HMN) is an insurance company that specializes in providing auto, property, life, and retirement products tailored for educators and other public service employees.

Horace Mann Educators reported revenues of $434.8 million, up 6.3% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 3.1% since reporting and currently trades at $43.52.

Read our full report on Horace Mann Educators here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Jackson Financial (NYSE: JXN)

Spun off from British insurer Prudential plc in 2021 after more than 60 years as its U.S. subsidiary, Jackson Financial (NYSE: JXN) offers annuity products and retirement solutions that help Americans grow and protect their retirement savings and income.

Jackson Financial reported revenues of $2.01 billion, up 719% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Jackson Financial delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 6.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $109.47.

Is now the time to buy Jackson Financial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Unum Group (NYSE: UNM)

Tracing its roots back to 1848 when financial security for workers was virtually non-existent, Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) provides workplace financial protection benefits including disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental and vision insurance primarily through employers.

Unum Group reported revenues of $3.25 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 4.2% since the results and currently trades at $72.50.

Read our full analysis of Unum Group’s results here.

Primerica (NYSE: PRI)

With a sales force of over 140,000 licensed representatives operating on an independent contractor model, Primerica (NYSE: PRI) provides term life insurance, investment products, and other financial services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada.

Primerica reported revenues of $853.5 million, up 8% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $253.66.

Read our full, actionable report on Primerica here, it’s free.

Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG)

Spun off from insurance giant AIG in 2022 to focus on the growing retirement market, Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG) provides retirement solutions, annuities, life insurance, and institutional risk management products in the United States.

Corebridge Financial reported revenues of $6.34 billion, up 35.7% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 47.3%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Corebridge Financial achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is down 17.4% since reporting and currently trades at $25.77.

Read our full, actionable report on Corebridge Financial here, it’s free.

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