Brighthouse Financial Q2 Earnings Miss Estimates on Lower Premiums

Core Insights - Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF) reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $3.43 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 27% and reflecting a year-over-year decline of 38.4% [1][9] - The lower-than-expected results were attributed to reduced premiums and lower net investment income, although total expenses decreased significantly [1][9] Financial Performance - Total operating revenues for the quarter were $2.2 billion, down 2.9% year over year, primarily due to lower universal life and investment-type product policy fees and net investment income, missing the consensus estimate by 2.1% [2] - Premiums amounted to $166 million, an 8.3% decrease year over year, falling short of the Zacks consensus estimate of $200 million [2] - Adjusted net investment income was $1.3 billion, down 1.8% year over year, mainly due to lower income from alternative investments, with an investment income yield of 4.28% [3] - Total expenses were $778 million, a nearly 45% decrease from $1.4 billion year over year, which partially offset the revenue decline [3] Segment Performance - Annuities generated an adjusted operating income of $332 million, remaining flat year over year, with annuity sales increasing 8.4% to $2.6 billion, driven by stronger fixed annuity sales [4] - Life insurance segment reported an adjusted operating loss of $26 million compared to earnings of $42 million in the prior year, with life insurance sales increasing 17.8% quarter over quarter to $33 million [5] - The Run-off segment recorded an adjusted operating loss of $83 million, wider than the previous year's loss of $30 million, while Corporate & Other had an adjusted operating loss of $25 million compared to earnings of $2 million in the prior year [6] Financial Position - Cash and cash equivalents increased by 24.7% year over year to $5.5 billion, while shareholders' equity rose 37% to $5.7 billion [7] - Book value per share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income, was $144.09 as of June 30, 2025, reflecting a 12.3% year-over-year increase [7] - Statutory combined total adjusted capital was $5.6 billion as of June 30, 2025, up 3.7% year over year [7] - The estimated combined risk-based capital ratio was in the range of 405-425% as of June 30, 2025 [8] Share Buyback Program - Brighthouse Financial repurchased shares worth $43 million in the second quarter of 2025, bringing the year-to-date total to $102 million [10]