Accident & Health Insurance
(CNO) CNO Financial Group – Bear of the Day
We are downgrading our recommendation on CNO Financial Group (CNO) to Underperform based on the continuous deterioration in the premium revenue of its Bankers Life segment, coupled with the significant underwriting and pricing risks. The company’s third-quarter earnings...
16Jan2012 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AFL) Aflac Analyst Maintains Neutral on Shares
Recently, we reiterated our recommendation on Aflac Inc. (AFL) at Neutral, based on the current sustainability factor. The company’s third quarter operating earnings per share of $1.66 came in comfortably higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.60 and $1.45 reported...
30Nov2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SFG) StanCorp Financial Group Analyst Upgrades Shares
We are upgrading the recommendation on StanCorp Financial Group Inc. (SFG) to Neutral from Underperform on the back of strong third quarter results. Overall benefit ratio declined compared with the last two quarters. Earnings per share of 96 cents also surpassed the Zacks Consensus...
12Nov2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AFL) Dividend Stocks: How to Beat the QE Blues
by Marc Lichtenfeld, Investment U Senior Analyst Wednesday, September 14, 2011: Issue #1600 You hear that beeping sound? That’s the sound of my truck backing up to load it with dividend stocks. This may well be a historic time for some investors. One in which they’ll look...
20Sep2011 | InvestmentU | 0 comments | Continued(AIZ) Assurant Suffers High Catastrophe Loss – Hurts Second Quarter Earnings
Assurant Inc. (AIZ) has reported second quarter 2011 operating earnings of 76 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8 cents and significantly lagging the prior-year quarter’s earnings of $1.35 per share. The quarter’s results were hit by high catastrophe...
3Aug2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CNO) CNO Financial Group Financial Buys Back Shares
CNO Financial Group Inc. (CNO) had spent $16.2 million to buy back 2.2 million shares in the second quarter of 2011. The shares repurchased were made under the repurchase program announced on May 16, 2011. The buyback equals approximately 0.9% of the total outstanding shares...
5Jul2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AFL) Aflac Prices $625 Million in Notes
Aflac Incorporated (AFL) has priced its yen-denominated (Samurai) bonds aggregating $625 million (¥50 billion) – $359 million (¥28.7 billion) of 1.47% three year notes, $197 million (¥15.8 billion) of 1.84% five year notes and $69million (¥5.5 billion) of three-month Japanese...
30Jun2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SFG) StanCorp Financial Group Upgraded
We are upgrading StanCorp Financial Group Inc. (SFG) to Neutral from Underperform based on its excellent underwriting track record, continued better performance at Asset Management segment as well as active share repurchases supported by a strong capital position. StanCorp’s...
29Jun2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SFG) Rating Action on StanCorp Financial Group
A.M. Best has affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb+” and debt ratings of “bbb+” on $250 million 6.875% senior unsecured notes, due 2012 and “bbb-” on $300 million 6.900% junior subordinated debentures, due 2067 of StanCorp Financial Group (SFG). However,...
26Jun2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AFL) Aflac Incurs Losses on Risky Investments
Yesterday, Aflac Inc. (AFL) filed a statement disclosing impairment and investment losses of about $610 million to be incurred in the second quarter of 2011. These losses are associated with the company’s exposure to risky investments in the financial institutions of Portugal,...
26Jun2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AIZ) Assurant Closes Reinsurance Deal
Yesterday, Assurant Specialty, a unit of Assurant Inc. (AIZ) has announced its comprehensive catastrophe (CAT) reinsurance program so as to shield itself from losses in 2011 that looms ahead as an above-average hurricane season. A reinsurance agreement is a kind of reimbursement...
23Jun2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SFG) StanCorp Financial – Bear of the Day
When StanCorp Financial (SFG) reported its first-quarter 2011 earnings, the company experienced a higher level of claims incidence in group long-term disability business, resulting in a soft performance. We expect delinquencies on commercial mortgage loans to remain modestly...
12Jun2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AFL) Company News for May 31, 2011 – Corporate Summary
• Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:MRVL) reported first quarter fiscal 2012 adjusted earnings per share of 24 cents, 2 cents shy of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents. Despite the miss, shares increased 8.86% in after-market trade on encouraging second quarter...
31May2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SFG) StanCorp Financial Group Beats on Top Line
StanCorp Financial Group (SFG) reported first-quarter 2011 earnings of 76 cents per share from continuing operations, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings also fell behind the year-ago result of $1.13. Net income from continuing operations for the quarter was $35.2...
27Apr2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(UNM) Unum Group Analyst Reiterates Shares at Neutral
Owing to unemployment and sluggish economic recovery that are expected to delay new business accrual and exert pressure on premium growth coupled with low interest rates that are expected to impact investment income and reserving practices, we reiterate out Neutral recommendation...
14Apr2011 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AFL) Aflac Analyst Raises Shares to Outperform
On Thursday, we upgraded our recommendation on the shares of Aflac Inc. (AFL) to Outperform from Neutral based on its recent dividend hike coupled with the resumption of its stock buyback program, reflecting a fair liquidity and retaining investors’ confidence. Besides, Aflac’s...
25Nov2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SFG) StanCorp Financial Group – Bear of the Day
We are downgrading StanCorp Financial (SFG) to Underperform from Neutral as we suspect organic growth will remain restricted in the near term, given the sluggish economic environment and challenging labor market conditions. Additionally, delinquencies on commercial mortgage loans...
12Aug2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(UNM) Unum Group Announces Share Repurchase
As a part of its incessant effort to enhance value for it shareholders, the board of directors of Unum Group (UNM) announced a share repurchase authorization and an increase in the quarterly dividend on May 20, 2010. According to the new authorization, Unum will repurchase up...
24May2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AIZ) Assurant Announces 7% Increase in Common Stock Dividend
As part of its concerted effort to enhance value for its shareholders, Assurant Inc. (AIZ) announced a 7% increase in its quarterly common stock dividend on May 14, 2010. The board of directors of Assurant will now pay a quarterly dividend of 16 cents per share, up from 15 cents...
17May2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AFL) Aflac First Quarter Earnings Beat
Aflac Inc.’s (AFL) first quarter earnings per share of $1.41 were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.32. This compared favorably with earnings of $1.22 in the year-ago quarter. Earnings in the reported quarter excluded after-tax realized investment losses of $30 million...
29Apr2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CNO) Conseco Reports Earnings And Misses by a Nickel
Conseco, Inc’s (CNO) fourth-quarter operating earnings of 15 cents per share were a nickel short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 20 cents. The results were also down 16.7% from the operating earnings of 18 cents in the year-ago quarter. Though results for the quarter were...
28Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(UNM) Unum Group’s Debt Rating Upgraded by Fitch Analyst
Following favorable fourth quarter earnings, the rating agency Fitch upgraded the employee benefits and disability insurance provider Unum Group’s (UNM) senior debt rating to “BBB” from “BBB-.” Fitch also moved up the group’s issuer default rating...
17Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AIZ) Assurant Earnings Report Falls Below Consensus Estimates
Assurant Inc. (AIZ) fourth quarter earnings of 86 cents per share lagged behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01. Results also compared unfavorably with earnings of $1.30 in the year-ago quarter. Earnings were strained by restructuring charges of $12.3 million and a net...
5Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AFL) Aflac Incorporated Surpasses Expectations – Raises Outlook
Aflac Incorporated’s (AFL) fourth quarter earnings of $1.18 cents per share were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16. This compared favorably with earnings of 98 cents in the year-ago quarter. Earnings in the reported quarter excluded after-tax realized investment...
4Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CNO) Conseco Offers Common Stock to Pay Down Debt
Conseco Inc. (CNO) said on Monday that it has commenced an offering of 45 million shares of common stock primarily to help pay down debt. The company plans to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to buy up to an additional 4.5 million shares. Conseco intends to use $150 million...
16Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CNO) Conseco Offers 2010 Earnings Guidance
Conseco Inc. (CNO) offered its earnings guidance for full year 2010 on Tuesday. The company expects net operating income in the range of 55 to 65 cents a share in 2010. The estimated earnings per share are based on operating income between $145 million and $170 million. The pre-tax...
9Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AIZ) Assurant Incorporated Upgraded to Neutral
We are upgrading Assurant Inc. (AIZ) to Neutral from Underperform, as we believe a low debt-to-capital ratio, adequate capitalization and sound liquidity with no debts to repay will shield the company from the ongoing economic challenges. Third quarter 2009 results were particularly...
29Nov2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SFG) StanCorp Financial Group a Penny Ahead
StanCorp Financial Group Inc.’s (SFG) third quarter earnings of $1.21 per share were just a penny ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.20 per share. The company had earned $1.46 per share in the year-ago quarter. High unemployment rate and rising joblessness continue...
26Oct2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AIZ) Assurant, Inc.- Bear of the Day
Assurant’s (AIZ) second-quarter earnings were worse than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, reflecting weak performance of all its business segments, a trend that is expected to remain in place for some time. The company’s leading position in specialty markets, solid balance...
10Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AOC) Expect Health Care Costs to Rise
Cost to employers for health care plans is expected to rise 10.5% within the next 12 months primarily as a result of rising costs Incorporatedreasing demand for services and an aging population. Aon Consulting, the global human capital consulting organization of Aon Corporation...
26Aug2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued