Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at CNO Financial Group (NYSE: CNO) and the best and worst performers in the life insurance industry.

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 14 life insurance stocks we track reported a mixed Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.8%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 2.4% on average since the latest earnings results.

CNO Financial Group (NYSE: CNO)

Rebranded from Conseco in 2010 to signal a fresh start after navigating financial challenges, CNO Financial Group (NYSE: CNO) develops and markets health insurance, annuities, and life insurance products primarily targeting middle-income pre-retirees and retirees.

CNO Financial Group reported revenues of $964.9 million, up 2.5% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates.

"Results in the quarter demonstrate the strength of the CNO business model," said Gary C. Bhojwani, chief executive officer.

Interestingly, the stock is up 6.4% since reporting and currently trades at $42.11.

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

Best Q3: Aflac (NYSE: AFL)

Known for its iconic duck mascot that has quacked "Aflac!" in commercials since 2000, Aflac (NYSE: AFL) provides supplemental health and life insurance policies that pay cash benefits directly to policyholders for expenses not covered by their primary insurance.

Aflac reported revenues of $4.41 billion, up 2.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. However, the business still had a very strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ book value per share and EPS estimates.

The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 1.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $110.01.

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

Weakest Q3: Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF)

Spun off from MetLife in 2017 to focus specifically on retail financial products, Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF) provides annuity contracts and life insurance products designed to help individuals protect wealth, generate income, and transfer assets.

Brighthouse Financial reported revenues of $2.17 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and net premiums earned estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 2.4% since the results and currently trades at $64.15.

Read our full analysis of Brighthouse Financial’s results here.

Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC)

Founded in 1905 by a group of Fort Wayne, Indiana businessmen who named the company after Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) provides insurance, retirement plans, and wealth management products through its subsidiaries, operating under four main segments: Annuities, Life Insurance, Group Protection, and Retirement Plan Services.

Lincoln Financial Group reported revenues of $4.78 billion, up 3.8% year on year. This result missed analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ net premiums earned estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates.

The stock is up 3.7% since reporting and currently trades at $41.53.

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

Globe Life (NYSE: GL)

With roots dating back to 1900 and a rebranding from Torchmark Corporation in 2019, Globe Life (NYSE: GL) is an insurance holding company that offers life insurance, supplemental health insurance, and annuity products through various distribution channels.

Globe Life reported revenues of $1.52 billion, up 4.1% year on year. This print met analysts’ expectations. Zooming out, it was a slower quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and revenue in line with analysts’ estimates.

The stock is up 3.3% since reporting and currently trades at $140.16.

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

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