Core Insights - Getty Images, in partnership with the National Disability Leadership Alliance, announced a $20,000 creative grant to enhance authentic representation of the disability community in professional settings [1][10] - Research indicates that 71% of global consumers desire to see people with disabilities in everyday social and professional contexts, yet 75% of visuals currently depict them mainly in healthcare settings, presenting an opportunity for broader representation [2] Grant Recipients - First Place: Elizabeth Rajchart, whose project 'Scene Change: Disability in Media' focuses on inclusive fashion and leadership, challenging stereotypes through her photography [3] - Second Place: Nasreen Alkhateeb, an award-winning cinematographer, plans to create a visual archive for her project 'Reframing Us', which aims to redefine professional success through a disability-led perspective [6] - Third Place: Charmaine Chitate, a Zimbabwe-based photographer, will explore inclusion and exclusion in professional life through her project 'unaltered.unfiltered' [8] Historical Context - This initiative builds on The Disability Collection launched in 2018, aimed at authentically representing people with disabilities in media [10] - Getty Images' grants program, established in 2004, has awarded over $2.6 million to support underrepresented voices and important narratives [10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a return on equity (ROE) of over 20% and premium growth exceeding 4% in the first quarter [5][16] - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $2.4, reflecting a 3.8% decrease from the previous year due to higher disability claims [5][15] - Statutory earnings were strong at nearly $500 million, bolstered by one-time benefits from restructuring [12][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Unum US saw adjusted operating income decrease by 14.6% to $329.1 million, with premium growth of 4.3% [17][19] - Group disability adjusted operating income fell to $119.2 million, driven by higher incidence rates, with a benefit ratio of 61.8% [18][19] - Colonial Life's operating income increased to $115.7 million, with premium income growing at 2.3% [22][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international segment's adjusted operating income rose to $38.7 million, with premium income increasing by 7% year-over-year [20][21] - Unum Poland experienced 18% growth, while the UK business saw a 15% increase in its sub-500 lives core business [21][90] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain industry-leading margins and grow its top line at mid-single-digit levels, with a full-year growth outlook of 6% to 10% [4][5] - Continued investment in digital capabilities is seen as crucial for enhancing customer interactions and improving persistency [6][9] - The company is actively managing its long-term care block and has executed transactions to reduce risk and release capital [12][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the economic environment remains favorable, with healthy employment levels and rising wages contributing to business stability [5][6] - The company expects to see a normalization in disability claims and a return to historical levels of incidence rates as the year progresses [35][66] - There is confidence in achieving annual expectations for statutory earnings and maintaining robust capital flexibility [16][30] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with record holding company liquidity of $2.2 billion and a risk-based capital (RBC) ratio of 460% [12][30] - Share repurchases in the first quarter amounted to approximately $200 million, with plans to continue this in the second quarter [13][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details on disability incidents? - Management observed elevated incidents in both short-term and long-term disability early in the quarter, with a normalization expected as the year progresses [34][35] Question: How do you view the economic sensitivity of disability claims? - Management indicated that while submitted claims may rise during economic downturns, this does not necessarily translate to higher paid incidents [37][39] Question: What are the drivers for the reaffirmed growth guidance? - Management highlighted expectations for improved group disability loss ratios, anticipated yield increases, and organic growth as key drivers for the reaffirmed guidance [42][48] Question: Can you elaborate on the impact of technology on persistency? - Management noted that technology investments are expected to enhance persistency, with a significant portion of new business tied to these capabilities [50][51] Question: What are the dynamics around capital deployment and share buybacks? - Management emphasized a dynamic approach to capital deployment, with plans to increase share repurchases while maintaining flexibility for growth investments [70][76]

Unum Group (UNM) Q1 2025 Earnings Call April 30, 2025 08:00 AM ET Company Participants Matt Royal - Senior Vice President-Investor RelationsRick McKenney - President and CEOSteve Zabel - CFORyan Krueger - Managing DirectorChristopher Pyne - Executive Vice President of Group BenefitsElyse Greenspan - Managing DirectorTim Arnold - Executive Vice President of Voluntary Benefits & President of Colonial LifeMark Till - Executive VP & CEO of Unum InternationalThomas Gallagher - Senior Managing DirectorJack Matten ...