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	<title>Stock Blog Hub &#187; PFG</title>
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		<title>(PFG) Principal Financial Group Guides &#8211; Approves Buyback</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/08/pfg-principal-financial-group-guides-approves-buyback/87903</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/08/pfg-principal-financial-group-guides-approves-buyback/87903#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:02:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lincoln National Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=87903</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG) guides its 2012 operating earnings in a band of $3.05–$3.25 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2012 is $3.17, toward the high end of the company&#8217;s guidance. The company also expects an average S&#38;P 500 Index of 1,275 in 2012, driving an 8%–10% year-over-year increase in average assets under management in 2012. It still expects operating losses of $120 to $130 million at the Corporate segment in 2012. Also, the company estimates operating earnings to plunge by $35–45 million due to implementation of new deferred acquisition costs from January 1, 2012. The guidance includes about $800 to $900 million of total capital utilized in dividend payments, strategic acquisitions and share buybacks. Principal Financial estimates weighted average number of common shares outstanding at around 300–305 ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(SFG) StanCorp Financial Group Analyst Upgrades Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/12/sfg-stancorp-financial-group-analyst-upgrades-shares/86956</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/12/sfg-stancorp-financial-group-analyst-upgrades-shares/86956#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:48:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accident & Health Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danaos Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MetLife Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[StanCorp Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unum Group]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=86956</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 Estimate by 30 cents. StanCorp reported a benefit ratio of 80.7% in the third quarter, lower than  the past two quarters due to favorable group life claims experience. Benefit ratio in second quarter was 84.8%, while the first quarter saw 84.2%.  Also, Group insurance premiums, in the third quarter, showed a 4.5% year-over-year growth, reflecting strong group insurance sales and customer retention. Furthermore, StanCorp enjoys a strong capital position. At quarter-end, available capital was approximately $200 million, up from $155 million at last quarter end. The ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AIZ) Assurant  Suffers High Catastrophe Loss &#8211; Hurts Second Quarter Earnings</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/03/aiz-assurant-suffers-high-catastrophe-loss-hurts-second-quarter-earnings/80108</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/03/aiz-assurant-suffers-high-catastrophe-loss-hurts-second-quarter-earnings/80108#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:53:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accident & Health Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aetna Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIZ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assurant Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Caterpillar Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CIGNA Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CNO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conseco Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[L]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Loews Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=80108</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 loss (cat loss) incidence and a weak performance at the company’s health unit. Total revenue for the reported quarter stood at $2.1 billion, down 3.6% year over year. Lower earned premiums, along with a decrease in net investment income, primarily accounted for the decline. Net earned premiums fell 4.4% year over year to $1.8 billion owing to a decline in premium across all the business segments. Net investment income inched down 0.8% to $173.8 owing to a drop in yields, while the invested assets remained stable. SegmentPerformance Year ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/03/aiz-assurant-suffers-high-catastrophe-loss-hurts-second-quarter-earnings/80108/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PFG) Principal Financial Group to Take Over Origin</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/11/pfg-principal-financial-group-to-take-over-origin/78696</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/11/pfg-principal-financial-group-to-take-over-origin/78696#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:34:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lincoln National Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78696</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday, Principal Global Investors, LLC, a unit of Principal Financial Group (PFG), announced that it would purchase a 74% stake in London-based Origin Asset Management, LLP. The acquisition of Origin would strengthen Principal’s global equity capability, broaden its product suite, as well as enhance its investment potential in emerging markets and in global small and mid-cap companies that seek high quality investments. Moreover, the company would also benefit from Origin’s strong reputation and distinct investment expertise. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2011 and is likely to be non-accretive to 2011 earnings per share (EPS). However, it would start  reflecting its synergy in 2012 EPS. The Origin transaction, valued at $66 million, will be the third in the series ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/11/pfg-principal-financial-group-to-take-over-origin/78696/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(SFG) StanCorp Financial Group Upgraded</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/sfg-stancorp-financial-group-upgraded/77931</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/sfg-stancorp-financial-group-upgraded/77931#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:36:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accident & Health Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MetLife Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[StanCorp Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unum Group]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77931</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 Asset Management segment is benefiting from an increase in administrative fees on increased cash flows. This coupled with lower operating expenses due to the successful implementation of cost reduction initiatives have helped improve results in the segment. Continued growth is expected, leading to increased contributions to the bottom line. Also, StanCorp enjoys a strong capital position. The company has achieved double digit compounded annual growth rate in book value as well as dividend per share. StanCorp is returning value to shareholders by buying back shares. Recently, the company’s board authorized another ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(SFG) Rating Action on StanCorp Financial Group</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/26/sfg-rating-action-on-stancorp-financial-group/77447</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/26/sfg-rating-action-on-stancorp-financial-group/77447#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:50:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accident & Health Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MetLife Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[StanCorp Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unum Group]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77447</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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, the rating agency has downgraded the outlook to negative from stable. Also, A.M. Best affirmed the ICR of “a+” and financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) of Standard Insurance Company and The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, the insurance subsidiaries of StanCorp. The outlook of ICR was lowered to negative from stable while the outlook of FSR was maintained at stable. The downgraded outlook of the ICR was due to higher claims at long-term disability business experienced by the companies. To add to its woes, ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/26/sfg-rating-action-on-stancorp-financial-group/77447/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AIZ) Assurant Closes Reinsurance Deal</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/23/aiz-assurant-closes-reinsurance-deal/77294</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/23/aiz-assurant-closes-reinsurance-deal/77294#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:03:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accident & Health Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIZ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assurant Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Caterpillar Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CNO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conseco Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[L]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Loews Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77294</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 program for an insurance company. The CAT reinsurance program has been designed in layers with purchases being made in three different parts: The first one being the participation in the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) program is mandatory for insurers writing property insurance in the state of Florida. The FHCF provides reinsurance to about 186 residential property insurers doing business in the state. It reimburses insurers after their hurricane-related residential property insurance losses reach their retention limit. Assurant has chosen a coverage of 90% of losses up to $435 ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/23/aiz-assurant-closes-reinsurance-deal/77294/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PFG) Principal Financial Group Analyst Maintains Neutral on Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/19/pfg-principal-financial-group-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/76699</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/19/pfg-principal-financial-group-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/76699#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:28:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lincoln National Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=76699</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG) continues to post solid growth in assets under management. Also, the company continues to effectively deploy $700 million of capital.  Moreover, Principal Financial scores strongly with the credit rating agency. However, volatility in the financial markets and Principal’s investment portfolio exposure to commercial real estate are partial offsets to the positives. Thus we remain Neutral on the company. Principal posted 12% growth in assets under management in the first quarter, driven by improved results at three asset management and asset accumulation segments. The company is positioned to continue delivering solid operating results on the back of its extensive distribution footprint, best-in-class solutions and operational discipline. As a part of deploying $700 million capital, Principal acquired the majority shares in Finisterre Capital LLP, and Finisterre Holdings ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/19/pfg-principal-financial-group-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/76699/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PFG) Principal Financial Beats Top Line Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/03/pfg-principal-financial-beats-top-line-estimates/73008</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/03/pfg-principal-financial-beats-top-line-estimates/73008#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 18:28:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lincoln National Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=73008</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Principal Financial’s (PFG) first quarter operating earnings of 71 cents per share modestly surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Results were ahead of 69 cents earned in the prior-year quarter. Operating earnings were $231.8 million, up by 5% from $203.9 million in the corresponding quarter last year. Principal Financial delivered a strong quarter on the heels of double-digit earnings growth from Principal Global Investors, Principal Funds, Individual Annuities and U.S. Insurance Solutions. Including net realized capital losses of $53.6 million or 16 cents per share and other after tax adjustments of $17.1 million or 5 cents per share, net income available to common stockholders was $196.3 million or 60 cents per share compared with $190.8 million or 59 cents a year ago. The prior-year quarter included net realized ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AA) Company News for May 03, 2011 &#8211; Corporate Summary</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/03/aa-company-news-for-may-03-2011-corporate-summary/73019</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/03/aa-company-news-for-may-03-2011-corporate-summary/73019#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 17:53:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Aluminum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Basic Materials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alcoa Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arch Coal Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CEPH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cephalon Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community Health Systems Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CYH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DISH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dish Network Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EchoStar Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hologic Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HOLX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ICO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[International Coal Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SATS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SNE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sony Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tenet Healthcare Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TEVA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[THC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TIVO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TiVo Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[VLCM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Volcom Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=73019</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[•    Arch Coal, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) and International Coal Group, Inc. (NYSE:ICO) announced that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Arch will acquire all of the outstanding shares of ICG for $14.60 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $3.4 billion •    Teva Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ:TEVA) and Cephalon (NASDAQ:CEPH) said that their respective boards of directors unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which Teva will acquire Cephalon and all of its outstanding shares for $81.50 per share in cash, with a total enterprise value of about $6.8 billion •    Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) reported Q1 EPS of $0.71, marginally higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.70 per share. Revenues for the quarter rose 4% year-over-year to $2.05 billion, just short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.055 billion ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(SFG) StanCorp Financial Group Beats on Top Line</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/27/sfg-stancorp-financial-group-beats-on-top-line/72514</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/27/sfg-stancorp-financial-group-beats-on-top-line/72514#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:42:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accident & Health Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MET]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MetLife Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[StanCorp Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unum Group]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=72514</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[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 million, down 35% from $54.1 million reported in first-quarter 2010. StanCorp incurred an after-tax net capital loss of $1.5 million or 3 cents per share in the quarter under review. Including the one-time loss, StanCorp reported a net income of $33.7 million or 73 cents per share compared with $49.7 million or $1.04 in the first quarter of 2010. The prior year quarter included after-tax capital losses of $4.4 million or 9 cents per share. The quarter experienced higher level of claims incidence in group long term disability ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/27/sfg-stancorp-financial-group-beats-on-top-line/72514/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CHSI) Catalyst Health Solutions Prices 5.5 Million Share Offering</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/13/chsi-catalyst-health-solutions-prices-5-5-million-share-offering/71428</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/13/chsi-catalyst-health-solutions-prices-5-5-million-share-offering/71428#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:20:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insurance Brokers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Catalyst Health Solutions Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CHSI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citigroup Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[STI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SunTrust Banks Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WAG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Walgreen Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wells Fargo & Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WFC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=71428</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. (CHSI) has priced its public offering of 5.5 million shares of common stock at a price of $53.00 per share. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Catalyst Health will sell 4.5 million shares and the remaining 1 million shares will be sold by one of its stockholders, Principal Holding Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG) in an underwritten public offering. Catalyst Health has allowed the underwriters a 30-day option to cover over-allotments up to an additional 825,000 shares from the selling stockholder, though the company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholder. Further, Catalyst Health is expected to close the offering on April 13. Goldman, Sachs &#38; Co., a unit of The Goldman Sachs ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/13/chsi-catalyst-health-solutions-prices-5-5-million-share-offering/71428/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PFG) Principal Financial Group Expands in Mexico</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/pfg-principal-expands-in-mexico/71265</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/pfg-principal-expands-in-mexico/71265#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:36:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lincoln National Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=71265</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group, S.A. de C.V., has agreed to acquire HSBC AFORE, S.A. de C.V. (HAFO) from Grupo Financiero HSBC, S.A. de C.V., as announced by The Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG). HSBC Afore, SA de C.V., is the pension funds management business of Grupo Financiero HSBC, SA de C.V. The purchase consideration is approximately $198 million. The acquisition is expected to close by early third-quarter 2011, pending regulatory approval. Also, the acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings per share as well as return on equity. Once approved, the new entity will be called Principal AFORE resulting from the merger of HSBC AFORE with the Mexican pension fund business of Principal. Also, it will become the country’s sixth largest in assets under management with more than 7% ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/pfg-principal-expands-in-mexico/71265/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(ANF) Company News for December 2, 2010 &#8211; Corporate Summary</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/02/anf-company-news-for-december-2-2010-corporate-summary/61097</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/02/anf-company-news-for-december-2-2010-corporate-summary/61097#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Dec 2010 06:30:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Apparel Stores]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abercrombie & Fitch Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ANF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COST]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Costco Wholesale Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JNJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johnson & Johnson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Limited Brands Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LTD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PEP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pepsico]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TOL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toll Brothers Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WBD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods OJSC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=61097</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[• PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP) announced plans to acquire a 66% stake in Wimm-Bill-Dann (NYSE:WBD) for $3.8 billion • Toll Brothers (NYSE:TOL) reported fiscal fourth quarter earnings of $0.30 a share that included a tax benefit, versus consensus expectations for a loss of $0.08. Revenues of $402.6 million beat estimates of $393.2 million • Costco (NASDAQ:COST) reported monthly sales up 9% in November, up from estimates of a 6.3% rise • Limited Brands (NYSE:LTD) posted a 10% sales gain for November • Abercrombie &#38; Fitch (NYSE:ANF) saw November sales up 22%, versus expectations of a 6.8% rise • Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) upgraded Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) from &#8220;buy&#8221; to &#8220;Conviction Buy,&#8221; with a price target of $32 • Johnson &#38; Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) recalled 12 million bottles of Mylanta for insufficient labeling of alcoholic content ABERCROMBIE (ANF): Free Stock Analysis ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/02/anf-company-news-for-december-2-2010-corporate-summary/61097/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AIG) Insurance Industry Stock Update &#8211; August 2010 &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/03/aig-insurance-industry-stock-update-august-2010-industry-outlook/46303</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/03/aig-insurance-industry-stock-update-august-2010-industry-outlook/46303#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:40:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFLAC Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American International Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameriprise Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Employers Holdings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[StanCorp Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitrin Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UTR]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=46303</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After enduring stress with respect to pricing pressure and reduced insured exposure through mid-2009, the overall health of the U.S. insurance industry has improved to a great extent in 2010. Though the market turmoil forced many companies to take immense write-downs, the worst of the crisis appears to be now behind us. The soft market conditions, along with legislative changes, remain the chief causes for concern for the overall industry at this point. The industry continues to be challenged by the regulatory uncertainties and massive health care restructuring. Though there are signs of economic recovery, its sluggish pace is expected to continue at least through the remainder of 2010. Also, structural economies of scale have pushed the industry toward consolidation. While enormous financial support from the government helped rescue American ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/08/03/aig-insurance-industry-stock-update-august-2010-industry-outlook/46303/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(LNC) Lincoln National Corporation Plans to Repay TARP</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/13/lnc-lincoln-national-corporation-plans-to-repay-tarp/37115</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/13/lnc-lincoln-national-corporation-plans-to-repay-tarp/37115#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2010 20:35:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American International Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameriprise Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential Financial Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=37115</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Lincoln National Corp. (LNC) is gearing up to repay the bailout money. Dennis Glass, the company’s President and CEO, said at an investor presentation yesterday that this acceleration follows a successful alignment with internal guidelines. Lincoln issued $950 million of preferred stock and a common stock warrant through the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in the third quarter of 2009. Initially, the company expected to repay the TARP money in the second half of 2010 or in the first half of 2011 after strengthening its reserves level. However, according to Lincoln, with an improvement in the economy and capital markets since the beginning of the year coupled with the strength in its business model and capital position, the company is preponing its repayment of the TARP money prior ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/13/lnc-lincoln-national-corporation-plans-to-repay-tarp/37115/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PFG) Principal Financial Group Reports Earnings Ahead of Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/05/pfg-principal-financial-group-reports-earnings-ahead-of-estimates/36209</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/05/pfg-principal-financial-group-reports-earnings-ahead-of-estimates/36209#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 May 2010 21:16:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=36209</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG) reported first quarter earnings of $255.6 million or 79 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents. The company had earned $164.0 million or 63 cents in the year-ago quarter. The beat was driven by the strong performance of its U.S. Asset Accumulation segment. The company recorded growth in book value and assets under management (AUM) in the quarter, reflecting improved credit and equity market conditions. Expense control initiatives also supported the bottom line. Including the realized capital losses, Principal reported a net income of $190.8 million, or 59 cents per share in the quarter, compared with a net income of $112.8 million or 43 cents per share a year ago. Net realized capital losses increased to $57.0 million from $50.9 million ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/05/pfg-principal-financial-group-reports-earnings-ahead-of-estimates/36209/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AIG) Insurance Industry Stock Update &#8211; May 2010 &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/04/aig-insurance-industry-stock-update-may-2010-industry-outlook/36024</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/04/aig-insurance-industry-stock-update-may-2010-industry-outlook/36024#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 21:07:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACAP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFSI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American International Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Physicians Capital Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameriprise Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amerisafe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMSF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amtrust Financial Services Inc (NY)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[China Life Insurance Company Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Genworth Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GNW]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hallmark Financial Services Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harleysville Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HGIC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INDM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IPCC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LTD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nymagic Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United America Indemnity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zenith National Insurance Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ZNT]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=36024</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The turmoil in the financial markets created a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, forcing many companies to take immense write-downs. In 2010, the overall situation has improved to a great extent and the worst of the crisis appears to be now behind us. However, the soft market conditions along with legislative changes remain a chief cause for concern for the overall industry at this point. Though there are signs of economic recovery, the trend of sluggish pace is expected to continue at least through the remainder of 2010. Also, structural economies of scale have pushed the industry toward consolidation. While enormous financial support from the government helped rescue AIG (AIG) from collapse, many other firms remained under tremendous pressure or have fallen by the wayside. Competition within ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/05/04/aig-insurance-industry-stock-update-may-2010-industry-outlook/36024/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(MFC) Manulife Financial Corporation Expands in China</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/08/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation-expands-in-china/30068</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/08/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation-expands-in-china/30068#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:40:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=30068</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) is continuously growing its operations in China. Recently, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) has approved Manulife-Sinochem, Manulife&#8217;s joint venture company, to operate in Linyi and Yancheng. Manulife-Sinochem is now licensed in 41 cities of China. Manulife-Sinochem is a joint venture company between Manulife (International) Limited (51%) and China Foreign Economic and Trade Trust &#38; Investment Company, a member of the Sinochem group (49%). Manulife-Sinochem began operations in Nov 1996 and was the first Chinese-foreign joint-venture life insurance company established in China. The company currently serves over 500,000 customers across China through approximately 11,000 professionally-trained staff and agents. The insurance market in China is attractive for its growth potential. As a result, investors are eyeing this market. Linyi, the largest city in Shandong, has a population ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/03/08/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation-expands-in-china/30068/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(AIG) Insurance Industry Stock Update &#8211; February 2010 &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/08/aig-insurance-industry-stock-update-february-2010-industry-outlook/27383</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/08/aig-insurance-industry-stock-update-february-2010-industry-outlook/27383#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:20:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AHL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allied World Assurance Company Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American International Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameriprise Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AWH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AXA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CNO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conseco Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EMC Insurance Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EMCI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enstar Group Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ESGR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Everest Re Group Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FBL Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GLRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greenlight Capital Re Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[IPCC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Max Capital Group Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mercer Insurance Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MIGP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MXGL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PartnerRe Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PNX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential plc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PUK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RenaissanceRe Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RNR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UAM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unitrin Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal American Corp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UTR]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=27383</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The turmoil in the financial markets has created a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, forcing many companies to take immense write-downs. This trend is expected to continue at least through the first half of 2010, though there are some early signs of an economic recovery. Also, structural economies of scale have pushed the industry toward consolidation. While enormous financial support from the government rescued AIG (AIG) from collapse, many other firms remain under tremendous pressure or have fallen by the wayside. Competition within the segments of the industry has reduced, which is consolidating through mergers and acquisitions. This has increased the market shares of the largest firms. We expect static growth with persistent soft market conditions and an ongoing market crisis, resulting in further consolidation in the ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/08/aig-insurance-industry-stock-update-february-2010-industry-outlook/27383/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(MFC) Manulife Financial Corporation’s Ratings Lowered by Standard &amp; Poor&#8217;s Ratings Services</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/06/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation%e2%80%99s-ratings-lowered-by-standard-poors-ratings-services/24249</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/06/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation%e2%80%99s-ratings-lowered-by-standard-poors-ratings-services/24249#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:26:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=24249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation’s (MFC) long-term counterparty credit ratings were lowered by Standard &#38; Poor&#8217;s Ratings Services to &#8216;A+&#8217; from &#8216;AA-&#8217;. The outlook assigned is negative. The company has also been removed from the CreditWatch listing. The rating action reflects the rating agency’s concern that the recent reorganization of its U.S. subsidiary would reduce its cash flow diversification. Manulife has completed its subsidiary reorganization on Dec. 31, 2009, following which its U.S. insurance unit became an indirect subsidiary of Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (MLI). According to the rating agency, though the reorganization may result in increased in capital and operational efficiencies, the reduced diversification may result in reduced cash flows at times of severe stress events. The negative outlook additionally reflects Manulife’s sensitivity to the equity markets and declining interest rates, ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/06/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation%e2%80%99s-ratings-lowered-by-standard-poors-ratings-services/24249/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>($AIG) Insurance Industry &#8211; Industry Outlook</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/12/07/aig-insurance-industry-industry-outlook/22137</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/12/07/aig-insurance-industry-industry-outlook/22137#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:40:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFLAC Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American International Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameriprise Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amerisafe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMSF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[INDM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nymagic Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PartnerRe Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PMI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PMI Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United America Indemnity]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=22137</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The turmoil in the financial markets has created a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, forcing many companies to take immense write-downs. This trend is expected to continue at least through the first half of 2010, though there are some early signs of an economic recovery. Also, structural economies of scale have pushed the industry toward consolidation. While enormous financial support from the government rescued AIG (AIG) from collapsing, many other firms remain under tremendous pressure or have not been able to survive. Competition within the segments of the industry has reduced as a result of rising mergers and acquisitions. This has increased the market shares of the largest firms. We expect growth to be stuck with persistent soft market conditions and an ongoing market crisis, resulting in ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/12/07/aig-insurance-industry-industry-outlook/22137/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(MFC) Manulife Financial Corporation Gets Moody&#8217;s Upgrade</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/12/04/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation-gets-moodys-upgrade/22031</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/12/04/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation-gets-moodys-upgrade/22031#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:33:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MCO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moody's Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=22031</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation’s (MFC) ratings outlook has been upgraded to “stable&#8221; from “negative&#8221; by Moody&#8217;s Investors Service (MCO) following Manulife’s capital raise of C$2.5 billion (US$2.37 billion) through stock offering. Moody’s has affirmed its ratings of “Aa3&#8243;. According to the rating agency, Manulife’s insurance subsidiaries – Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. and John Hancock Life Insurance Co. – are capable of generating solid levels of income under normal market conditions. However, earnings of these companies are greatly correlated to market declines as a result of their significant exposure to variable annuities which are not hedged. Nevertheless, Manulife has begun hedging its newly written variable annuity guarantees in the U.S. last year and in Canada this year and intends to do so in Japan by this year end. Manulife has implemented several ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/12/04/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation-gets-moodys-upgrade/22031/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PFG) A.M. Best Affirms Principal Financial Group Ratings</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/30/pfg-a-m-best-affirms-principal-financial-group-ratings/21553</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/30/pfg-a-m-best-affirms-principal-financial-group-ratings/21553#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:50:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=21553</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG) and its subsidiaries’ ratings have recently been affirmed by A.M. Best Company. The rating agency has affirmed Principal’s issuer credit ratings (ICR) of &#8220;a-&#8221; as well as the group’s existing debt ratings. Additionally, the agency has affirmed the financial strength rating of &#8220;A+&#8221; (Superior) and the ICR of &#8220;aa-&#8221; of Principal Life Insurance Company and Principal National Life Insurance Company, the life insurance operating companies of Principal Financial Group. The outlook assigned for all ratings is, however, negative. The ratings reflect Principal’s leading position in the U.S. defined contribution plan market, strong diversification in terms of product and geography, good expense management, continued growth in international markets and substantial cash holdings. Principal also maintains a modest financial leverage ratio of approximately 18% and its interest ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/30/pfg-a-m-best-affirms-principal-financial-group-ratings/21553/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(PFG) Principal Financial Group &#8211; Bull of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/20/pfg-principal-financial-group-bull-of-the-day/21005</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/20/pfg-principal-financial-group-bull-of-the-day/21005#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:07:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=21005</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are upgrading our recommendation on the shares of Principal Financial (PFG) to Outperform. The company&#8217;s third quarter operating earnings were much ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, driven primarily by the sequential improvement in domestic as well as global equity markets. We believe that Principal&#8217;s strong franchise within the pension sector, which is aided by its diversification both in terms of products and geography, positions it well to benefit from the gradual recovery of the credit market. However, rising unemployment is reducing the number of participants in existing employee benefit plans. Though we are concerned about higher delinquencies in its commercial mortgage portfolio, we expect the company to benefit from its decent capital level and cost containment measures. Zacks Investment Research]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/20/pfg-principal-financial-group-bull-of-the-day/21005/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PFG) Principal Financial Group Beats The Street</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/03/pfg-principal-financial-group-beats-the-street/19523</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/03/pfg-principal-financial-group-beats-the-street/19523#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:27:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=19523</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group’s (PFG) third quarter earnings of 74 cents a share were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 64 cents. This excludes net realized investment gains and losses. The company had earned 96 cents in the year-ago quarter. However, on a GAAP basis, the company reported net income of $184.7 million or 57 cents per share, compared with $90.1 million or 35 cents in the prior-year period. Results were driven by the sequential improvement in the U.S. as well as global equity markets during the quarter, combined with cost cuts. Principal posted a sequential improvement in earnings. Assets under management (AUM) increased 9% sequentially while operating earnings were up 19%, driven by improved results at the company’s three asset management and asset accumulation segments. However, operating earnings were ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/03/pfg-principal-financial-group-beats-the-street/19523/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(LNC) Lincoln National Corporation Beats Consensus Earnings Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/01/lnc-lincoln-national-corporation-beats-consensus-earnings-estimates/19228</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/11/01/lnc-lincoln-national-corporation-beats-consensus-earnings-estimates/19228#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:37:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameriprise Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential Financial Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=19228</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Lincoln National Corp. (LNC) reported operating earnings of 84 cents in the third quarter, which was ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents. The company had earned $1.16 per share on an operating basis in the year-ago quarter. The company experienced lower average variable account values compared to the prior-year period. Also, there were some modest losses on its alternative investments. Lincoln reported a net income of $153 million or 44 cents per share compared with $148 million or 58 cents in the year-ago quarter. We note that there were fewer shares outstanding in the prior-year quarter. The company managed to report better operating results on a quarter-over-quarter basis due to the appreciation in the equity market. Consolidated deposits increased 10% sequentially but were down 2% year over ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(MFC) Manulife Financial Corporation Completes AIC Deal</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/03/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation-completes-aic-deal/16546</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/03/mfc-manulife-financial-corporation-completes-aic-deal/16546#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:17:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=16546</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) has closed the transaction to purchase AIC&#8217;s Canadian retail investment fund business. This acquisition significantly expands Manulife’s wealth management reach. All AIC funds in Canada will now be managed by Manulife Mutual Funds, while Portland Investment Counsel (formerly AIC Investment Services) will continue as a fund sub-advisor for certain AIC funds. We believe that this acquisition will considerably add to Manulife’s scale and strengthen its position in the retail investment fund market in Canada. Based on latest industry figures, overall retail fund assets under management for Canadians will grow 38% to approximately $13.9 billion as a result of this acquisition. Manulife’s wealth management business has been severely impacted by the turbulence in the equity market on a global basis. During the second quarter, wealth sales were ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(LNC) Lincoln Sells Asset Management Unit</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/20/lnc-lincoln-sells-asset-management-unit/12830</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/20/lnc-lincoln-sells-asset-management-unit/12830#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:16:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corp.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameriprise Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goldman Sachs Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Gr]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential Financial Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=12830</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Lincoln National Corporation (LNC) has agreed to sell its asset management unit, Delaware Investments, to Macquarie Group for approximately $428 million in cash. Macquarie Group is a Sydney, Australia-based leading investment bank. The deal is expected to close around the year-end 2009. Goldman, Sachs &#38; Co. (GS) was the financial advisor for Lincoln. Lincoln’s decision intends to focus more on its core retirement and insurance business. The proceeds will be used by Lincoln for general corporate purposes. The company also plans to pay back a part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds it received in July. Lincoln was one of the six big insurers who qualified for the bailout funds under the TARP in May. The other five are Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (HIG), Prudential Financial Inc. ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/20/lnc-lincoln-sells-asset-management-unit/12830/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PFG) Principal&#8217;s Winning Website &#8211; features for its Retirement Plan participants</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/20/pfg-principals-winning-website-features-for-its-retirement-plan-participants/12845</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/20/pfg-principals-winning-website-features-for-its-retirement-plan-participants/12845#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:15:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Asset Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameriprise Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AXA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GOOG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Google Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Manulife Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=12845</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Principal Financial Group’s (PFG) defined contribution plan sponsor website has been ranked first for three consecutive quarters by DALBAR. Additionally, Principal’s defined contribution plan participant site was ranked in DALBAR’s top 10. DALBAR is one of the nation’s leading financial-services market research firms. Principal has also launched iGoogle and text messaging features for its Retirement Plan participants. iGoogle is a personalized web page provided by Google Inc. (GOOG). Principal is a leading provider of retirement savings, investment and insurance products and services and competes with companies such as Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (AMP), AXA (AXA) and Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC). The company primarily focuses on small and medium-sized businesses (usually companies with less than 1,000 employees). Principal continues to take full advantage of important demographic shifts such as the aging baby ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/20/pfg-principals-winning-website-features-for-its-retirement-plan-participants/12845/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(HIG) Hartford &#8211; Analysts concerned with exposure to variable annuities and capital levels</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/13/hig-hartford-analysts-concerned-with-exposure-to-variable-annuities-and-capital-levels/12494</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/08/13/hig-hartford-analysts-concerned-with-exposure-to-variable-annuities-and-capital-levels/12494#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:38:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corp.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ameriprise Financial Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Gr]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LNC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRU]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prudential Financial Inc.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=12494</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group (HIG) agreed to refund $48.2 million to workers&#8217; compensation policyholders in Florida as it earned excess profits on such policies it issued between 2004 and 2006. On Wednesday, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation said that it has instructed Hartford to take this action as its profits exceeded the state law, which prohibits insurers from earning excess profits and requires surpluses to be refunded to policyholders. This refund brings the total amount of refund to all workers&#8217; compensation policyholders in Florida to approximately $98.8 million this year. During the last year, more than $29.7 million in excess workers’ compensation profits were refunded. The refund of $48.2 million is really significant for Florida at this point as the state is going through a challenging period precipitated by ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

