Core Viewpoint - Unum Group has approved a 10% increase in its dividend, making it an attractive option for yield-seeking investors due to its higher dividend yield compared to the industry average [1][2]. Group 1: Dividend and Capital Deployment - The recent dividend hike marks the 16th increase in the last 15 years, with a 10-year CAGR of 10.8% [2]. - The company estimates a dividend payout of $300-$330 million in 2025 [2]. - Unum Group has a strong capital and liquidity position, supported by cash flow generation, which instills confidence in its capital deployment strategy [2][4]. Group 2: Share Buybacks - Unum Group has been actively buying back shares, with a $200 million repurchase in Q1 2025 and plans for at least the same amount in Q2 [3]. - A $1 billion buyback program was approved, starting on April 1, 2025, with expectations to buy back $0.5-$1 billion in shares throughout 2025 [3]. Group 3: Operational Performance - Unum Group is the leading disability income writer and the second-largest writer of voluntary business in the U.S., demonstrating strong operating performance across key insurance segments [5]. - The two primary divisions, Unum U.S. and Colonial Life, have shown ongoing growth in operating income, driven by disciplined sales efforts and increasing premium income [6]. Group 4: Growth Projections - The company forecasts high-single-digit sales growth and 4% to 7% premium growth over the long term, with earnings growth expected between 6% and 10% for 2025 [7]. - Unum Group maintains a robust capital position, with a return on equity of 14.2%, although it lags behind the industry average of 15.5% [7]. Group 5: Stock Performance and Valuation - Shares of Unum Group have gained 6.5%, outperforming the industry growth of 2% and the sector's return of 3.9% [8]. - The current price-to-book multiple is 1.24, above its five-year median of 0.87, indicating that the shares are relatively expensive [9]. - Compared to other insurers like Prudential Financial Inc and Lincoln National Corporation, Unum Group shares are also considered expensive [10]. Group 6: Analyst Sentiment - The Zacks average price target for Unum Group is $92.36 per share, suggesting a potential 16% upside from the last closing price [12]. - However, the consensus estimates for 2025 and 2026 earnings have seen slight declines of 0.7% and 0.6%, reflecting analysts' muted sentiment [12].

Core Viewpoint - Radian Group Inc. has authorized a new $750 million share buyback program, reflecting confidence in its financial strength and capital flexibility, while also increasing its quarterly dividend by 4.1% [1][4][3]. Group 1: Share Buyback Program - The board of directors has approved a new share repurchase program of $750 million, which will expire on December 31, 2027, bringing the total repurchase authority to approximately $863 million [1][2]. - Since 2020, Radian Group has repurchased 74 million shares for $1.8 billion, representing over 36% of shares outstanding as of January 1, 2020 [2][3]. - As of March 31, 2025, Radian repurchased shares for $207 million, with $336 million remaining under the current program [3]. Group 2: Dividend Increase - The board has approved a quarterly dividend of 25.5 cents per share, to be paid on June 17, 2025, to stockholders of record as of June 2 [4]. - This marks the sixth consecutive year of dividend increases, with the dividend more than doubling over the past five years and a six-year CAGR of 13% [4]. - Radian's current dividend yield stands at 3.1%, surpassing the industry average of 2.5%, making it attractive for yield-seeking investors [4]. Group 3: Financial Position and Growth - Radian Group maintains a solid balance sheet with sufficient liquidity and strong cash flows, enabling effective capital deployment through share repurchases and dividend hikes [3][5]. - The company is well-positioned to return capital to stockholders while pursuing growth initiatives and delivering innovative products and services [5]. - An improving mortgage insurance portfolio, declining claims, and a solid capital position are expected to contribute to impressive results for the insurer [5]. Group 4: Stock Performance - Radian's stock has gained 4.3% year-to-date, underperforming the industry and sector returns of 5.7%, but outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite growth of 0.2% [6][8].