Let’s dig into the relative performance of Jackson Financial (NYSE: JXN) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 life insurance earnings season.

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 6.8% since the latest earnings results.

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. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Jackson Financial achieved the fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 5.1% since reporting and currently trades at $111.01.

Is now the time to buy Jackson Financial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results 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, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 47.3%. The business had a very strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Corebridge Financial delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 19.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $25.11.

Is now the time to buy Corebridge 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 6.6% since the results and currently trades at $70.67.

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

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 result lagged analysts' expectations by 2.5%. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also logged a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is down 3.3% since reporting and currently trades at $43.42.

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

Equitable Holdings (NYSE: EQH)

Tracing its roots back to 1859 as one of America's oldest financial institutions, Equitable Holdings (NYSE: EQH) provides retirement planning, asset management, and life insurance products through its two main franchises, Equitable and AllianceBernstein.

Equitable Holdings reported revenues of $3.74 billion, down 5.2% year on year. This print missed analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. It was a softer quarter as it also produced a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Equitable Holdings had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 12.3% since reporting and currently trades at $39.27.

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

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.