Unum (UNM) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices. The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system. Individual investor ...

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights Unum Group (UNM) as a strong value stock based on various financial metrics. Group 1: Value Investing Insights - Value investing is a preferred strategy for identifying strong stocks, focusing on companies believed to be undervalued based on fundamental analysis [2] - Zacks has developed a Style Scores system to identify stocks with specific traits, particularly those with high grades in the "Value" category [3] Group 2: Unum Group (UNM) Financial Metrics - Unum Group (UNM) holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A, with a Forward P/E ratio of 6.21, significantly lower than the industry average of 12.84 [4] - UNM has a PEG ratio of 0.73, compared to the industry average of 1.49, indicating potential undervaluation [5] - The stock's P/B ratio is 0.96, which is favorable compared to the industry's average P/B of 1.85 [6] - UNM's P/S ratio stands at 0.8, while the industry average is 1.49, suggesting strong revenue performance relative to its price [7] - The P/CF ratio for UNM is 7.29, lower than the industry's average of 8.15, indicating an attractive valuation based on cash flow [8] Group 3: Overall Valuation Perspective - The combination of these metrics suggests that Unum Group is likely undervalued, making it one of the strongest value stocks in the market [9]

Core Viewpoint - Unum Group (UNM) is favored by investors due to favorable sales trends, strong persistency, an improving rate environment, and a solid capital position [1] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Unum Group's 2024 earnings per share indicates a 9.2% increase from the previous year, with revenues projected at $12.96 billion, reflecting a 4.3% year-over-year improvement [2] - Earnings have grown by 9% over the past five years, outperforming the industry average of 3.8% [3] - Unum Group has a decent earnings surprise history, beating estimates in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 2.96% [4] Estimate Revisions - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings has increased by 1.4% and 1.6%, respectively, in the past 30 days, boosting investor confidence [5] Stock Performance - UNM currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) and has gained 17.4% year-to-date, compared to the industry's growth of 18.6% [6] Operational Efficiency - In Q2 2024, Unum Group's trailing 12-month Return on Equity (ROE) expanded by 30 basis points year-over-year to 15.6%, indicating efficient use of shareholders' funds [9] - The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) for the trailing 12 months was 9.2%, surpassing the industry average of 7.9% [9] Business Growth Drivers - Unum Group expects sales growth of 7-10% and premium growth of 5-7% in 2024, with long-term projections of 8-12% sales growth and 4-7% premium growth [10] - The operational excellence of Unum U.S. and Colonial Life, along with strong persistency and new product line growth, is expected to drive performance [11] Capital Management - Unum Group has increased dividends 13 times in the last 12 years, with a recent 15% hike, bringing the dividend payout ratio to around 20% [13] - The company plans to repurchase $500 million worth of shares in 2024 and anticipates annual dividend hikes of 10-15% over the next five years [13]

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both. The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor. It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores. What are the Zacks Style Scores? Develop ...

Core Viewpoint - Value investing remains a preferred strategy for identifying strong stocks, utilizing fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find undervalued stocks in the market [2]. Company Summary: Unum Group (UNM) - Unum Group currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A, indicating strong potential as a value stock [4]. - The stock's Forward P/E ratio is 6.74, significantly lower than the industry's average Forward P/E of 12.11, suggesting it may be undervalued [4]. - UNM's Forward P/E has fluctuated between 5.33 and 6.74 over the past year, with a median of 6.10 [4]. - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.10, which is lower than the industry's average PEG of 1.60, indicating favorable growth expectations relative to its valuation [5]. - Over the last 12 months, UNM's PEG has ranged from 0.72 to 1.27, with a median of 0.84 [5]. - UNM's P/B ratio stands at 1.07, compared to the industry's average P/B of 1.88, reflecting a solid market value relative to its book value [6]. - The P/B ratio has varied between 0.85 and 1.09 over the past year, with a median of 0.98 [6]. - The P/S ratio for UNM is 0.83, which is lower than the industry's average P/S of 1.31, further supporting the notion of undervaluation [7]. - Overall, the metrics indicate that Unum Group is likely undervalued, and its strong earnings outlook positions it as one of the market's strongest value stocks [8].

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Q2 2024 Earnings Conference Call July 31, 2024 8:00 AM ET Company Participants Matt Royal - SVP, IR Rick McKenney - President & CEO Steve Zabel - CFO Tim Arnold - EVP, Voluntary Benefits & President-Colonial Life Chris Pyne - EVP, Group Benefits Mark Till - CEO, Unum International Conference Call Participants Ryan Krueger - KBW Suneet Kamath - Jefferies Joel Hurwitz - Dowling & Partners Elyse Greenspan - Wells Fargo John Barnidge - Piper Sandler Jimmy Bhullar - J.P. Morgan Tom Gallaghe ...

Unum Group's (UNM) second-quarter 2024 operating net income of $2.16 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.9%. The bottom line increased 4.8% year over year. The quarterly results reflected favorable recoveries in the group long-term disability product line, in-force block growth, higher sales, premium growth and improved persistency. Favorable benefit experience in the product lines also added to the upside. Total operating revenues of Unum Group were $3.2 billion, up 4.2% year over year, driven ...

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance. Other Expense Ratio - Unum US Supplemental and Voluntary : 47.8% versus the 11-analyst average estimate of 49.1%. For the quarter ended June 2024, Unum (UNM) reported revenue of $3.24 billion, up 4.3% over the same period last year ...

Core Viewpoint - Unum has demonstrated strong earnings performance, surpassing consensus EPS estimates multiple times, and its future stock movement will depend on management's commentary and earnings expectations [1][4][10]. Financial Performance - Unum reported quarterly earnings of $2.16 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.02 per share, and compared to earnings of $2.06 per share a year ago [9]. - The company posted revenues of $3.24 billion for the quarter ended June 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.54%, and this represents a year-over-year increase from $3.11 billion [10]. - The earnings surprise for the latest quarter was 6.93%, with a previous quarter surprise of 7.61% [3]. Market Performance - Unum shares have increased approximately 18.4% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 14.5% [11]. Earnings Estimates and Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $2.05 on revenues of $3.25 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $8.25 on revenues of $12.95 billion [6]. - The estimate revisions trend for Unum is mixed, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market [13]. Industry Context - The Insurance - Accident and Health industry, to which Unum belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 14% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead [14].

Uก็บู้ทำGROUP® Second Quarter 2024 Statistical Supplement | --- | --- | --- | |--------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------| | | (in millions of dollars, except share data and where noted) Interim Results are Unaudited | Page | | Financial Highlights | | 1 | | Capital Metrics | | 2 | | Ratings | | 3 | | Consolidated Statements of Income | | 4 | | Sales ...