Travelers Q4 Earnings Beat on Strong Net Investment Income

Core Insights - The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) reported a fourth-quarter 2025 core income of $11.13 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 32% and reflecting a 22% year-over-year improvement [1] Financial Performance - Total revenues for Travelers increased by 3.2% year over year to $12.4 billion, driven by higher premiums, net investment income, and other revenues, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.08% [2] - Net written premiums reached a record $10.8 billion, up 1% year over year, supported by strong growth in the Business Insurance and Bond & Specialty Insurance segments [2] - Net investment income rose by 10.3% year over year to $1 billion, attributed to growth in average invested assets and a higher average yield in the long-term fixed income investment portfolio, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate [3] - Catastrophe losses were reported at $95 million, pre-tax, a significant reduction from the $175 million loss in the same quarter last year [3] Underwriting and Combined Ratios - Travelers achieved an underwriting gain of $1.7 billion, up 21.7% year over year, with a consolidated underlying combined ratio of 82.2, improving by 180 basis points year over year [4] - The overall combined ratio improved by 300 basis points year over year to 80.2, driven by better underlying combined ratios, lower catastrophe losses, and favorable prior year reserve developments, against a Zacks Consensus Estimate of 87 [4] Segment Performance - Business Insurance: Net written premiums increased by 2% year over year to approximately $5.5 billion, with growth in Select Accounts small commercial business and core Middle Market business, partially offset by a decline in National Property premiums [5] - Bond & Specialty Insurance: Net written premiums rose by 4% year over year to $1 billion, reflecting growth in surety and management liability, although the combined ratio deteriorated by 30 basis points year over year to 83 [7] - Personal Insurance: Net written premiums remained flat at $4.2 billion year over year, with the combined ratio improving by 670 basis points to 74% due to lower catastrophe losses and favorable prior year reserve developments [9] Full-Year Highlights - For the full year 2025, Travelers reported a core income of $27.59 per share, up 28% from 2024, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $24.89 [11] - Net written premiums increased by 2% year over year to a record $44.4 billion, with an underwriting gain of $3.4 billion, growing 42.6% year over year [11] - The combined ratio improved by 260 basis points year over year to 89.9, and core return on equity expanded by 220 basis points to 19.4% [11] Capital Management - Travelers returned $1.89 billion to shareholders in Q4, repurchasing 5.8 million shares for $1.65 billion, with $2.01 billion remaining under share repurchase authorizations [13] - An additional $5 billion in share repurchases was authorized, alongside a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per share, payable on March 31, 2026 [14]