PRU(PUK) ZACKS·2025-01-30 15:46Core Viewpoint - Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU) is expected to report its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings on February 4, with a positive earnings surprise in the last quarter [1] Group 1: U.S. Business Performance - The U.S. business is anticipated to benefit from improved underwriting results and net investment spread results, although this may be partially offset by increased expenses and higher amortization of acquisition costs in the Individual Retirement Strategies business [2] Group 2: International Business Performance - Prudential Financial's international operations are likely to face challenges from lower underwriting results and higher expenses, but these downsides may be mitigated by increased earnings from joint ventures and higher net investment spread results [3] Group 3: Group Insurance and PGIM - The Group Insurance business is expected to be impacted by higher expenses, though this may be offset by improved net investment spread results [3] - PGIM is likely to see gains from higher net asset management fees and related revenues, with assets under management benefiting from lower interest rates, equity market appreciation, and strong investment performance [4] Group 4: Financial Projections - Net investment income is projected to rise by 7.2% to 13.2 billion [5] - The Individual Retirement Strategies business is likely to see benefits from higher net investment spread results, although this may be countered by increased amortization costs and lower fee income [6] Group 5: Earnings Estimates - The estimated earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 is 3.28, reflecting a 27.1% increase from the previous year [6][7] - Revenue estimates stand at 3.25, lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate [8] Group 7: Zacks Rank - Prudential Financial currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3, indicating a hold position [9]