Company Overview - Assurant, Inc. (AIZ) is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and provides protection services for connected devices, homes, and automobiles, with a market cap of $11.7 billion [1] - The company offers a range of services including mobile device solutions, extended service contracts, insurance products, vehicle protection, and housing-related coverage [1] Market Position - AIZ is classified as a "large-cap stock" due to its market cap exceeding $10 billion, highlighting its size and influence in the insurance - property & casualty industry [2] - The company has introduced new financial services programs that enhance its mobile device protection and extended service contracts [2] Financial Performance - AIZ shares reached a 52-week high of $236.74 recently, with a 13.6% increase in stock price over the past three months, outperforming the Nasdaq Composite's 3.5% gains [3] - Over a six-month period, AIZ shares rose by 16.7% and increased by 7.4% over the past 52 weeks, although this was below the Nasdaq's six-month gains of 17.3% and 14.6% returns over the last year [4] - In Q3, AIZ reported an adjusted EPS of $5.73, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $4.23, with revenue of $3.2 billion, reflecting an 8.9% year-over-year increase [5] Competitive Landscape - The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (HIG) has shown stronger performance than AIZ, with 24.4% gains over the past 52 weeks, although AIZ outperformed HIG with 9.5% returns over the last six months [5] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts maintain a "Moderate Buy" consensus rating for AIZ, with a mean price target of $253.67, indicating a potential upside of 8.7% from current price levels [6]

Core Insights - The article discusses the author's extensive experience in executive management, particularly in the insurance and reinsurance sectors, as well as knowledge of global markets, climate change, and ESG [1]. Group 1 - The author has 36 years of experience in executive management, focusing on insurance and reinsurance [1]. - The author's expertise includes knowledge of Global and Asia Pacific markets, climate change, and ESG [1].

Core Insights - The article discusses the author's extensive experience in executive management, particularly in the insurance and reinsurance sectors, as well as knowledge of global markets, climate change, and ESG [1]. Group 1 - The author has 36 years of experience in executive management, focusing on insurance/reinsurance and global markets [1]. - The author's academic background includes an honours degree in economics and politics, emphasizing economic development [1]. - The author invests in a personal capacity, indicating a hands-on approach to investment [1].

Market Overview - Broader equity markets experienced a four-day winning streak as the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut increased to approximately 89%, up from 67% a month ago [1] - The surge in the 10-year Treasury yield raised skepticism, impacting the short-term market rally following the release of key economic data [1] Economic Indicators - The core personal consumption expenditures price index for September showed an annual increase of 2.8%, slightly below the expected 2.9% [2] - U.S. consumer sentiment improved in December, with the Consumer Sentiment Index rising to 53.3 from 51 in November [2] Investment Strategy - Investors are advised to focus on "cash cow" stocks with high returns, emphasizing the importance of attractive efficiency ratios like return on equity (ROE) [2] - High ROE indicates effective reinvestment of cash at a high rate of return, helping to identify financially healthy companies [3][4] Screening Parameters - Stocks were shortlisted based on criteria including cash flow greater than $1 billion and ROE exceeding industry averages [5] - Additional metrics included price/cash flow lower than industry averages and return on assets (ROA) greater than industry averages [6] Stock Picks - Selected stocks with high ROE and strong cash flow include TE Connectivity (TEL), ZTO Express (ZTO), Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC), Assurant, Inc. (AIZ), and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) [7] - These stocks also exhibit solid earnings surprises, strong growth outlooks, and favorable valuation metrics [7] Company Profiles - **TE Connectivity**: A global technology company focused on connectivity and sensor solutions across various industries, with a long-term earnings growth expectation of 12.3% and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.5% [8][9] - **ZTO Express**: A leading express delivery service in China with a long-term earnings growth expectation of 1.7% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [10][11] - **Pilgrim's Pride**: Engaged in the production and distribution of chicken products, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.4% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [11][12] - **Assurant**: Provides risk management solutions in housing and lifestyle markets, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [12][13] - **Host Hotels**: A leading lodging REIT focused on luxury and upper-upscale hotels, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]

Core Viewpoint - Assurant's Q3 2025 earnings report shows strong performance with significant year-over-year growth in net operating income and revenues, driven by its Global Housing and Global Lifestyle segments [3][4][12]. Financial Performance - Assurant reported a net operating income of $5.73 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 35.4% and reflecting a 91% increase year-over-year [3]. - Total revenues rose 8.6% year-over-year to nearly $3.2 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.6% [4]. - Net earned premiums, fees, and other income increased 8.9% year-over-year to $3.1 billion, exceeding the estimate of $3 billion [4]. - Net investment income grew 2.9% year-over-year to $133.5 million, also above the estimate of $125.1 million [4]. Segmental Performance - Global Housing revenues increased 16.2% year-over-year to $738.9 million, driven by higher net earned premiums and net investment income, exceeding estimates [6]. - Global Lifestyle revenues rose 6.8% year-over-year to $2.5 billion, with adjusted EBITDA increasing 12% year-over-year to $206.8 million [8]. - The Corporate & Other segment reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $31.6 million, wider than the previous year's loss [9]. Financial Position - As of September 30, 2025, liquidity stood at $613 million, significantly above the targeted minimum level of $225 million [10]. - Total assets increased 2.2% to $35.7 billion, while total shareholders' equity rose 12.7% to $5.7 billion [10]. - The debt-to-total capital ratio improved by 130 basis points to 27.7% [10]. Share Repurchase and Dividend Update - In Q3 2025, Assurant repurchased shares worth $81 million and paid $41 million in dividends, with an additional $27 million in repurchases from October 1 to October 31, 2025 [11]. Guidance and Outlook - Assurant raised its 2025 guidance, expecting adjusted EBITDA growth of nearly 10% and low double-digit growth in adjusted earnings per diluted share [12][13]. - The company anticipates a $120 million adjusted EBITDA loss in the Corporate and Other segment [12]. Market Position - Assurant has a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) and is expected to deliver above-average returns in the coming months, with upward trends in estimates [16].

Core Insights - Assurant, Inc. is a global provider of risk management solutions with a market cap of $11.4 billion, operating across the Americas, Indo-Pacific, and Europe [1] Performance Overview - Assurant has underperformed the broader market, with AIZ stock gaining 6.4% year-to-date and 71 basis points over the past 52 weeks, compared to the S&P 500 Index's gains of 12.3% in 2025 and 11% over the past year [2] - The company also lagged behind the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund's 6.9% gains in 2025 and 3% increase over the past 52 weeks [3] Financial Results - Following the release of solid Q3 results, Assurant's stock prices increased by 1.7%. The company reported a year-over-year revenue growth of 8.9% to $3.2 billion, exceeding expectations by 2.7% [4] - Adjusted EPS for the quarter soared 91% year-over-year to $5.73, beating consensus estimates by 35.5% [4] Future Projections - For the full fiscal year 2025, analysts expect Assurant to deliver an adjusted EPS of $19.39, reflecting a 16.5% year-over-year increase. The company has a strong earnings surprise history, surpassing estimates in each of the past four quarters [5] - The consensus rating among nine analysts covering AIZ is a "Moderate Buy," with five "Strong Buys," one "Moderate Buy," and three "Holds" [5] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - The current analyst configuration is slightly less optimistic than two months ago, with six analysts previously giving "Strong Buy" recommendations. An analyst maintained an "Outperform" rating and raised the price target from $248 to $254 [6] - The mean price target of $253.67 suggests an 11.8% premium to current price levels, while the highest target of $265 indicates a potential upside of 16.8% [6]

Core Viewpoint - Assurant Inc. shares are currently trading at $225.25, reflecting a 0.28% increase, with a 6.46% rise over the past month, but a 0.40% decline over the past year, raising questions about potential undervaluation despite current performance [1]. Group 1: P/E Ratio Analysis - The P/E ratio is a critical metric for investors, comparing the current share price to the company's earnings per share (EPS), indicating market expectations for future performance [5]. - Assurant Inc. has a P/E ratio of 13.69, which is lower than the insurance industry's average P/E ratio of 13.99, suggesting that the stock may be undervalued or could perform worse than its peers [6]. - A low P/E ratio can indicate undervaluation but may also reflect weak growth prospects or financial instability, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive analysis of financial health [9].

Core Insights - Assurant, Inc. (AIZ) has announced a significant increase in its common stock dividend, reflecting its strong financial position and commitment to shareholder returns [1][2] - The quarterly dividend has been raised to 88 cents per share from 80 cents, marking a 10% increase and the 21st consecutive year of dividend growth [2][10] - The new dividend yield based on the stock's closing price of $227.05 is 1.41%, making it appealing for yield-seeking investors [3][10] Financial Strength and Capital Management - Assurant's strategy includes returning excess cash to shareholders through both dividend increases and share repurchases, demonstrating solid capital position and cash generation capabilities [5][10] - As of September 30, 2025, liquidity stood at $613 million, significantly above the targeted minimum of $225 million, with $206.3 million spent on share repurchases in the first nine months of 2025 [6][10] - The company plans to return up to $300 million to shareholders through share repurchases in 2025, indicating strong cash flow generation [7][10] Performance Metrics - Assurant's return on equity was 18.6% over the trailing 12 months, outperforming the industry average of 15.3% [8] - Year-to-date, Assurant shares have gained 6.5%, surpassing the industry growth of 6% [9]

Core Insights - Assurant, Inc. (AIZ) shares closed at $225.52, close to its 52-week high of $230.55, indicating strong investor confidence and potential for further price appreciation [1] - The stock is trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, suggesting solid upward momentum [1] Financial Performance - Assurant's earnings grew by 16.6% over the last five years, outperforming the industry average of 9.8% [2] - The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 22.74% over the last four quarters [2] Valuation Metrics - Assurant shares are trading at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 1.98X, lower than the industry average of 2.14X and the Finance sector's 4.27X [3] - The company has a Value Score of A, indicating attractive valuation compared to peers [3] Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Assurant's 2025 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 14.7%, with revenues projected at $12.75 billion, reflecting a 6.6% improvement [9] - For 2026, earnings per share and revenues are expected to increase by 9.3% and 5.1%, respectively, compared to 2025 estimates [9] Analyst Sentiment - Three out of four analysts have raised their estimates for 2025, and four out of five have increased estimates for 2026 in the past 30 days [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 earnings has increased by 7.8% and 2.4%, respectively, over the past month [10] Return on Capital - Assurant's return on equity in the trailing 12 months was 18.6%, exceeding the industry average of 15.3% [13] - The return on invested capital (ROIC) was 12.2%, significantly higher than the industry average of 2.1%, indicating efficient capital utilization [14] Business Segments and Growth Drivers - Fee-based, capital-light units account for 52% of segment revenues and are expected to grow in double digits [7] - Connected Living and Global Lifestyle units are projected to drive EBITDA growth for 2025 [7] - Growth in Global Housing is anticipated from improved claims experience and higher average premiums [17] Capital Management and Shareholder Returns - Assurant plans to return $300 million to shareholders in 2025 through share repurchases and dividend increases [7][20] - The company has a solid capital management policy, with an 11% dividend hike approved in November 2024, marking the 20th consecutive year of increases [20] Overall Outlook - Assurant's focus on capital-light businesses and growth in Connected Living is expected to favor its results [23] - The company has a favorable VGM Score of A, indicating strong value, growth, and momentum compared to peers [24]

Core Points - Assurant, in collaboration with Wounded Warriors Family Support, presented a mobility-modified 2025 Chevrolet Suburban to combat-wounded veteran Josh Lopez as part of the Mobility is Freedom program [2][3][4] - The initiative aims to provide modified vehicles to veterans who require them due to combat-related injuries, with approximately 350 veterans in the U.S. needing such modifications [3][4] - Assurant was recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for Veterans in 2025, highlighting its commitment to supporting veterans [3][7] Company Involvement - Assurant's President and CEO, Keith Demmings, emphasized the company's dedication to supporting veterans and the community [3] - The vehicle presented to Lopez was modified by the Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence and includes full left-foot driving controls, along with an Assurant Vehicle Care service contract for additional repairs [6] - This event marks the fifth mobility-modified vehicle provided by Assurant through its partnership with Wounded Warriors Family Support [3][4] Background on Josh Lopez - Josh Lopez, a Marine sergeant, suffered catastrophic injuries from an IED explosion during his deployment, resulting in the loss of his right leg below the knee [4] - His story is one of resilience, as he was promoted to sergeant during his recovery, reflecting his strength and dedication [4][5] Organizational Information - Assurant, Inc. is a global protection company that partners with leading brands to safeguard connected devices, homes, and automobiles [8] - The company operates in 21 countries and leverages data-driven technology solutions to enhance customer experiences [8] - Wounded Warriors Family Support is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families of combat-wounded veterans, rated a four-star nonprofit by Charity Navigator [9]