Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter reported adjusted net earnings were $91 million or $0.72 per share, compared to $108 million or $0.86 per share in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting a decrease of $17 million primarily driven by margin compression and higher interest expense [27][28] - First quarter adjusted return on assets (ROA) was 68 basis points, pressured from near-term headwinds, with a last twelve-month adjusted ROA of 100 basis points, down six basis points from the previous quarter [29] - Reported adjusted return on equity (ROE), excluding AOCI, was 9.7%, up 2.3% over the first quarter of 2024 [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - F&G reported record assets under management (AUM) before flow reinsurance of $67.4 billion as of March 31, reflecting a 169% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024 [21] - Gross sales were $2.9 billion, a 17% decrease from the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to lower MYGA sales, while indexed annuity sales remained strong at $1.5 billion [21][22] - Pension risk transfer (PRT) sales were $311 million, down from $584 million in the first quarter of 2024, with funding agreements at $525 million compared to $105 million in the prior year [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The investment portfolio is well matched to the liability profile, with 96% of fixed maturities being investment grade, and credit-related impairments averaging six basis points over the last five years [12][29] - The fixed income yield was 4.53% in the first quarter, a decrease of three basis points from the first quarter of 2024, reflecting the runoff of higher-yielding in-force assets [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to diversify earnings between spread-based and fee-based sources, with a focus on optimizing return on capital and maintaining pricing discipline [19][20] - F&G is committed to achieving its 2023 Investor Day targets while navigating near-term headwinds and macro uncertainty [31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes that the near-term headwinds are temporary and expects improvement in sales and profitability throughout 2025 [7][9] - The company remains confident in its business model's resilience and its ability to generate long-term shareholder value despite current market volatility [84] Other Important Information - The company has successfully completed recent capital markets activities, including issuing $375 million of junior subordinated notes and a public offering of 8 million shares of common stock [30][31] - The owned distribution portfolio is performing well, with double-digit annual growth of EBITDA expected over the medium term [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth opportunity for the Ryla product - Management expressed excitement about the Ryla product, noting that it has taken time to get onto platforms but is now adding broker dealers consistently, with medium-term potential in the billions [35][38] Question: Impact of lower industry volume on own distribution - Management indicated that the slowdown in owned distribution was balanced between industry volume and investments supported by the company, with a rebound observed in April [39][40] Question: Thoughts on capital deployment after raising common equity - Management stated that the capital raised would be deployed thoughtfully into new business, maintaining a disciplined approach to pricing and capital allocation [43][44] Question: Cost of funds increase and market competition - Management acknowledged the increase in cost of funds and attributed it to lower surrender income and market volatility, but remains disciplined in pricing [47][48] Question: Performance of the alternatives portfolio - Management noted that the direct lending portfolio performed well, while the limited partnerships came in lower than expectations, impacting overall yield [75][76] Question: Surrender activity expectations - Management projected that surrender activity would remain similar in Q2 compared to Q1, with ongoing uncertainty regarding future surrenders [78][80]

I recently joined The REIT Forum and if you are looking for more investment ideas like this one, get them exclusively at The REIT Forum with access to our subscriber only portfolios.When I last wrote about Veeva (NYSE: VEEV ) in January, I reiterated my "buy" rating on the stock while making it my software pick for 2025.Amrita runs a boutique family office fund in beautiful Vancouver, where she leads the investment strategy for the family fund. The fund's objective is to invest capital in sustainable, growt ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, net income was $255 million or $3.01 per share, compared to $254 million or $2.67 per share a year ago, indicating a slight increase in profitability [5] - Net operating income for the quarter was $259 million or $3.07 per share, a 10% increase from the previous year, slightly exceeding internal projections [5] - Return on equity as of March 31 was 19%, with book value per share at $64.5, while excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), return on equity was 14.1% and book value per share was $87.92, up 11% from a year ago [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Life insurance premium revenue increased by 3% year-over-year to $830 million, with life underwriting margin rising 9% to $337 million due to premium growth and lower policy obligations [5][6] - Health insurance premium revenue grew by 8% to $370 million, but health underwriting margin decreased by 10% to $85 million due to higher claim costs [6] - American Income Life saw life premiums rise 6% to $438 million, with a life underwriting margin up 5% to $196 million [8] - Liberty National's life premiums grew 6% to $96 million, while health sales decreased by 5% to $7 million [10] - Family Heritage's health premiums increased by 9% to $112 million, with health underwriting margin up 10% to $39 million [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - United American General Agency's health premiums increased by 13% to $160 million, but health underwriting margin fell to $2 million due to higher claim costs [13] - The average producing agent count across various divisions showed growth, with American Income up 3% and Liberty National up 8% year-over-year [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company anticipates life premium revenue growth of around 4% for the year, with health premium revenue expected to grow between 7.5% and 8.5% [6] - The focus remains on managing rising advertising and distribution costs while maximizing underwriting margin dollars on new sales [12] - The company plans to maintain a consolidated risk-based capital (RBC) ratio within the targeted range of 300% to 320% [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving the midpoint of EPS guidance for 2025, citing favorable mortality trends and expected remeasurement gains [42][44] - The company is well-positioned to manage through economic uncertainties, with a strong capital position and a conservative investment philosophy [24][29] - There is an expectation of elevated health obligations due to recent claim trends, but management believes they can manage these through rate increases [33] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares for $177 million in Q1 2025, returning a total of $197 million to shareholders [26] - Legal proceedings included an estimate for settlements related to outstanding litigation, but these are not indicative of future performance [78] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for Health margins and timing of rate actions - Management indicated that most rate increases will be effective at the beginning of Q2, expecting margins for UAGA to be in the 5% to 7% range for the year [36] Question: Confidence in EPS guidance amid tough comps - Management reaffirmed confidence in the EPS guidance range, citing favorable mortality trends and expected remeasurement gains [42][44] Question: Increase in health usage and claims - Management noted that utilization is the primary driver of increased claims, with actions being taken to mitigate costs related to specific procedures [96][100] Question: Capital return strategy and commercial paper reduction - The company plans to maintain a normal capital return strategy but may front-load buybacks depending on market conditions [57] Question: Legal proceedings and regulatory matters - The increase in legal expenses is not indicative of future performance and is common in the insurance industry [78]

Loews (L) Q1 2023 Earnings Call May 01, 2023 07:00 AM ET Company Participants Ralitza Todorova - Vice President of Investor Relations & Rating AgenciesDino Robusto - Chairman & CEOScott Lindquist - Executive VP & CFODerek Han - VP - Equity Research Operator Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the CNA First Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. All participants will be in listen only mode. Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the call over to Ralitsa Todorova, Assist ...