CNO Financial Group Investor Briefing Summary Company Overview - **Company**: CNO Financial Group (NYSE:CNO) - **Focus**: Consumer Division, targeting middle-income America - **Purpose**: To secure the future of middle-income America [1][2] Key Points and Arguments Distribution Strategy - **Control of Distribution Channels**: CNO operates its distribution channels, avoiding reliance on intermediaries, which reduces sales volatility and enhances resilience [4][5] - **Health and Wealth Solutions**: CNO offers both health and wealth products, allowing for a holistic approach to consumer needs, particularly as they age [5][6] Target Market - **Middle Market Focus**: CNO serves middle-class households, which have significant needs for insurance and financial planning but cannot afford to self-insure [6][7] - **Medicare Navigation**: CNO agents assist consumers in navigating Medicare, which builds trust and leads to further financial planning opportunities [7][8] Product Offering - **Diverse Product Range**: CNO manufactures most of its products, allowing for control over pricing and claims. For products outside its capabilities, it partners with third parties for distribution fees [8][9] - **Sales Channels**: CNO utilizes direct marketing, career agents, and independent agents to reach consumers, with a significant focus on digital engagement [10][12] Sales Performance - **Growth Metrics**: Life and health sales increased by 8% from 2023 to 2024, while annuity sales rose by 16% [32][33] - **Client Assets**: CNO manages over $17 billion in client assets, indicating strong growth potential in wealth management [31] Market Trends - **Demographic Shifts**: The aging population and increasing Medicare eligibility are favorable trends for CNO's business model [34][35] - **Economic Resilience**: CNO's products are essential and not discretionary, which helps maintain demand despite inflationary pressures [65][66] Additional Important Insights - **Agent Recruitment**: CNO has seen a reverse correlation between employment rates and agent recruitment, with higher recruitment during economic downturns [42][43] - **Financial Advisor Program**: The introduction of financial advisors has diversified the agent population and improved productivity [23][24] - **Technological Enhancements**: CNO has invested in technology to improve sales productivity and customer engagement, particularly in digital channels [14][54] Future Outlook - **Growth Potential**: CNO is positioned for continued growth due to strategic decisions made in previous years, including product diversification and technology investments [72][76] - **Market Adaptation**: CNO's ability to adapt to market changes, such as shifts in consumer preferences and economic conditions, positions it well for future success [34][35] Conclusion CNO Financial Group's strategic focus on the middle market, control over distribution channels, and diverse product offerings, combined with favorable demographic trends, positions the company for sustained growth and resilience in the financial services sector [35][36]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue reached $113.1 million, reflecting a 22% year-over-year growth driven primarily by increased Medicare enrollments [7][24] - GAAP net income was $2 million, a significant improvement from a net loss of $17 million in the previous year [29] - Adjusted EBITDA was $12.5 million compared to a negative $1.7 million in Q1 of 2024, indicating strong profitability growth [29][30] - Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities totaled $155.6 million at the end of the quarter, up from $70.8 million last year [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Medicare segment revenue was $103.7 million, a 26% increase year-over-year, with Medicare submissions across agency and Amplify Fulfillment models growing 22% [24][11] - The agency fulfillment model saw submitted Medicare Advantage (MA) applications increase by 26% year-over-year, driven by effective marketing strategies [12] - Medicare non-commission revenue increased by 20% to $13.9 million, primarily due to greater fee-based revenue from Amplify [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 22% growth in total Medicare submissions across fulfillment models, with hybrid enrollments experiencing the strongest growth at 38% year-over-year [11][13] - The final Medicare Advantage carrier reimbursement rates exceeded market expectations, providing relief to the broader Medicare Advantage industry [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing its customer-centric choice model, which has become increasingly relevant in a complex Medicare landscape [6] - EHealth aims to maintain its position as a technological leader by integrating artificial intelligence into its telephonic enrollment processes [14] - The company is committed to expanding its brand identity and enhancing the connection between its trusted brand and online consumer platform [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the regulatory environment, noting that the absence of new regulations is encouraging [42] - The company anticipates challenges in year-over-year comparisons due to regulatory changes in Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP) enrollment rules [19] - Management emphasized the importance of new Medicare enrollments as a key consumer segment for the upcoming quarters [19] Other Important Information - The company is facing a Department of Justice complaint but believes the claims are without merit and intends to challenge them vigorously [20][21] - EHealth's commitment to providing free, unbiased expert advice remains a core part of its mission [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of Elevance's removal of Medicare Advantage plans from online marketing platforms - Management noted that the macro environment is evolving and emphasized their strategy of having diverse carrier relationships to mitigate dependency on any single carrier [36] Question: Thoughts on the regulatory environment and its impact on operations - Management expressed cautious optimism about the regulatory environment, highlighting the lack of new regulations and the potential for less volatility in the upcoming enrollment season [42][43] Question: Changes in carrier discussions due to DOJ focus - Management indicated it is too early to assess any changes in carrier discussions following the DOJ news, noting that support varies among carriers [51] Question: Update on ancillary services and their impact on retention - Management stated that while ancillary services are still in their infancy, they believe providing additional value can enhance retention, although it currently does not significantly impact revenue [55]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating earnings per diluted share were $0.79, up 52%, and $0.74, up 42% excluding significant items [5][24] - Book value per diluted share, excluding AOCI, was $37.03, up 6% [7] - Capital and liquidity remain well above target levels after returning $117 million to shareholders [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer division saw annuity collected premiums up 12%, account values up 7%, and premium per policy up 19% [10] - Health NAP was up 9%, with Medicare Supplement NAP up 24% and Medicare Advantage policies up 42% [13][14] - Worksite insurance sales were up 11%, with critical illness insurance up 37% and life insurance up 17% [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - New money rates exceeded 6% for nine consecutive quarters [6] - Total investment income was up 16% for the quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth [28] - The market value of invested assets grew 11% in the quarter [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its business model for sustained profitable growth and drive ROE expansion [8] - Focus on reaching the underserved middle-income market remains a key differentiator [9] - Introduction of new products like Optimize Clear to enhance service offerings [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges deteriorating visibility into macroeconomic drivers but expresses confidence in navigating volatility [7][31] - The company reaffirms its full-year guidance despite a more volatile environment [30] - Long-term commitment to improving run rate ROE by 150 basis points from 2025 to 2027 [31] Other Important Information - The company plans to launch a new series of investor briefings starting in June [34] - Fee income was adversely impacted by ASC 606 revenue recognition accounting [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: On buybacks, will the company lean into buybacks in the current macro environment? - Management indicated a willingness to continue elevated buyback levels due to strong cash flow [37] Question: Can you explain the GAAP accounting revenue recognition for Medicare Advantage? - Management provided details on how revenue recognition differs from cash flow, emphasizing the impact of sales mix on fee income [39][40] Question: What is the outlook for PAC in the Consumer division? - Management expects continued growth in PAC, despite potential quarter-to-quarter fluctuations [66] Question: How does the company view the demand for insurance products in a recession? - Management believes demand for products will remain strong due to demographic trends, despite potential economic downturns [70][71] Question: What are the implications of potential shifts from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement? - Management expressed confidence that any shifts would not materially impact the business, as they can benefit from both product lines [76] Question: Can you elaborate on the geographic expansion in the worksite division? - Management confirmed ongoing disciplined geographic expansion contributing to sales growth [85]