Voya Financial (NYSE:VOYA) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 04, 2026 10:00 AM ET Speaker4Good morning. Welcome to Voya Financial's fourth quarter 2025 earnings conference call. All participants will be in a listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by 0. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press star, then 1 on your touch-tone phone. To withdraw your question, please pr ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported gross revenues of BRL 4.9 billion, representing a 9% growth year over year and a 6% growth quarter over quarter [19] - Net income reached BRL 1.3 billion, a 12% growth year over year and a 1% increase quarter over quarter [23] - The return on equity (ROE) was 23%, flat year over year, while the capital ratio stood at 21.2%, an increase of 180 basis points quarter over quarter [7][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail revenues reached BRL 3.7 billion, representing 6% growth year over year and 4% growth quarter over quarter [19] - Corporate and industry services achieved a record performance of BRL 729 million, with 32% growth year over year and 33% growth quarter over quarter [21] - Life insurance retail premium posted a 25% growth year over year, while retirement plans client assets grew 15% year over year, reaching BRL 90 billion [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported BRL 20 billion in retail net new money and BRL 9 billion in corporate and institutional, totaling BRL 5 billion lower than last year but three times higher than last quarter [8] - The company maintained a 10% market share in capital markets distribution, with a robust pipeline of fixed income offerings [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to become the leader in investments in Brazil by enhancing client service and introducing new products, including a new app and credit card offerings [3][10] - The strategy includes democratizing access to high-quality wealth planning services, previously reserved for high-net-worth clients [10][12] - The company is focused on improving its investment platform and enhancing client experience through advisor initiatives [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges faced in 2025 but emphasized commitment to evolving the business for growth and profitability [4] - The outlook for the wholesale banking segment remains positive, with expectations for continued strong performance in Q4 [31] - Management indicated that while achieving the 10% revenue growth target for 2025 may be challenging, they remain optimistic about future growth [82] Other Important Information - The company repurchased BRL 2 billion in shares in 2025, with a new BRL 1 billion buyback program announced [24] - The company plans to pay a dividend of BRL 500 million in 2025, representing a 50% payout ratio based on net income [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for wholesale business performance in Q4 - Management expects good performance in the wholesale banking segment for Q4, with a strong second half of the year compared to the first half [31][33] Question: Details on the strategy to increase the warehousing book - The strategy involves holding high-quality assets and increasing the warehouse book to sell to retail clients in the following year [33] Question: Clarification on corporate revenues and hedging strategy - Corporate revenues are tied to DCM activity, with hedging solutions being a significant driver [39] Question: Insights on fixed income revenue contraction despite AUC growth - The contraction in fixed income revenues is attributed to a shift in the mix towards lower take rates and shorter durations [46] Question: Impact of new hires on advisor numbers - The decrease in the number of advisors is due to the conversion of IFAs into employees and a focus on hiring higher-quality advisors [52] Question: Explanation for the reduction in financial expenses - The reduction in financial expenses is linked to a geographic shift in debt management, with cheaper bank debt replacing corporate debt [54] Question: Future guidance on EBIT margin - Management believes achieving the EBIT margin guidance is still possible, but it may take until the end of next year to realize [62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, the company generated EUR 340 million of operating capital generation, a 1% increase year-on-year [3][10] - Free cash flow amounted to EUR 76 million, primarily reflecting the share of ASR's 2025 interim dividend [10] - Cash capital at holding remained strong at EUR 1.9 billion, despite returning over EUR 800 million to shareholders during the period [4][15] - Operating capital generation (OCG) from the Americas increased by 6%, or 12% on a constant currency basis [10][11] - The U.S. RBC ratio increased by five percentage points to 425% [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.S., life sales at World Financial Group (WFG) increased by 15%, and annuity sales rose by 9% [7] - The Protection Solutions segment saw a 39% increase in new life sales, driven by higher index universal life sales [7] - In the U.K., net deposits in the workplace platform were negative for the first time in two years due to the departure of two large low-margin schemes [8] - The international segment experienced growth in Brazil, particularly in credit and group life products, although new life sales in China decreased [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. strategic assets showed commercial momentum, resulting in higher life and annuity sales [3] - The U.K. market faced outflows due to low-margin workplace schemes, but asset management and international businesses continued to grow [4][8] - The retirement plan business in the U.S. had negative net deposits, but total account balances increased by 10% due to favorable market conditions [7][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transform Transamerica into America's leading middle-market life insurance and retirement company [5] - Plans to improve the advisor platform and return it to growth by 2028 were discussed, with ongoing investments to enhance customer experience [8][56] - The company is reviewing a potential relocation of its legal domicile and head office to the United States, with updates expected at the Capital Markets Day [4][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving all financial targets for 2025 despite the weakening of the US dollar [4][16] - The company is monitoring mortality and morbidity trends closely, with recent quarters showing favorable outcomes [46][48] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining predictable cash flows from business units to support future growth [36] Other Important Information - The company executed over half of its ongoing EUR 400 million share buyback program and expects to complete it by December 15th [4][15] - The cash capital target is to reach around EUR 1 billion by the end of 2026 [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Long-term care book assumptions and cash conversion - Management confirmed that the actual-to-expected claims ratio for long-term care is 97%, and they are satisfied with their assumptions [21][22] - Cash conversion from the U.S. is targeted for mid-single-digit growth, with investments impacting total capital generation [24] Question: Strategic assets and capital employed in financial assets - Management noted a reduction in capital employed in financial assets due to favorable equity markets and the implementation of a base fee hedge [29][61] - Earnings on in-force for various segments were down due to margin pressure and mortality movements [32] Question: Stranded costs and payout ratio - Management indicated that stranded costs are a consideration in financial asset management, with further guidance expected at the Capital Markets Day [37] - The payout ratio is expected to improve over time as the quality of businesses enhances [36] Question: Variable annuities and retirement plans - Management is monitoring the flooring sensitivity in variable annuities and has not taken action yet, but will explore options if necessary [46] - The U.S. retirement plans business is showing strong written sales and a solid pipeline, despite volatility in net flows [44][45] Question: Cash movement and mortality exposure - Management outlined three broad buckets for achieving the cash capital target of $1 billion by 2026, including deleveraging and funding initiatives [74] - Mortality exposure is being managed through strategic purchases and reinsurance transactions, with current assumptions trending as expected [75][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating capital generation for Q3 2025 was EUR 340 million, a 1% increase year-on-year [10][11] - Free cash flow amounted to EUR 76 million, primarily reflecting the share of ASR's 2025 interim dividend [10][14] - Cash capital at holding remained strong at EUR 1.9 billion, despite returning over EUR 800 million to shareholders [4][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Americas, operating capital generation increased by 6%, or 12% on a constant currency basis, driven by strategic assets [11] - Life sales at World Financial Group (WFG) increased by 15%, and annuity sales rose by 9% due to solid consumer demand [6] - In the U.K., net deposits in the workplace platform were negative for the first time in two years due to the departure of two large low-margin schemes [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. retirement plans business reached $251 billion in assets under administration (AUA), with mid-sized plans increasing to $62 billion [43] - New life sales in Brazil continued to grow, particularly in credit and group life products, although offset by currency movements [9] - The U.K. solvency ratio for Scottish Equitable increased to 188%, primarily from operating capital generation [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transform Transamerica into America's leading middle-market life insurance and retirement company [5] - Plans to return the advisor platform to growth by 2028, with a target to grow the overall platform by £5 billion by the same year [56] - A review regarding a potential relocation of the legal domicile and head office to the United States is ongoing [4][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains confident in achieving all financial targets for 2025 despite the weakening of the US dollar [4][15] - The company is making good progress in transforming its businesses and expects to provide updates on strategy at the Capital Markets Day on December 10th [4][15] - Management noted that the underlying business in U.S. retirement plans is strengthening, with strong written sales indicating solid future deposits [43] Other Important Information - The company executed over half of its ongoing EUR 400 million share buyback program by the end of September [4] - The total new business strain in Q3 2025 was $10 million below the guidance of around $200 million per quarter [11] - The company is targeting a cash capital at holding of around EUR 1 billion by the end of 2026 [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Long-term care book assumptions and cash conversion - Management confirmed that the actual to expected claims ratio for long-term care is 97%, and they are satisfied with their assumptions [20] - Cash conversion from the U.S. is expected to remain around 70%, with a focus on stable remittances [22] Question: Strategic assets and capital employed in financial assets - Management noted that capital employed in financial assets has decreased due to favorable equity markets and the implementation of a base fee hedge [28] - Earnings on in-force for distribution and protection solutions have decreased due to margin pressure and mortality movements [30] Question: Stranded costs and payout ratio - Management indicated that stranded costs are a consideration in financial asset management, with further guidance expected at the Capital Markets Day [36] - The payout ratio is expected to improve over time as the quality of earnings increases [35] Question: Variable annuities and mortality trends - Management is monitoring the flooring sensitivity and has not taken action yet, but will explore options if it becomes a constraint [45] - Mortality assumptions have been trending as expected, providing comfort regarding the company's mortality exposure [46] Question: Developments in the U.K. and RBC ratio - The U.K. business is on track to meet its targets, with a focus on improving the advisor platform [56] - The U.S. RBC ratio is currently at a satisfactory level, with no immediate need for capital injection [57] Question: Capital employed reduction and management actions - Management has made reasonable progress in reducing capital employed through various management actions, but further actions may be needed to meet targets [68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Client assets, AUM, and AUA reached BRL 1,900 billion, reflecting a 17% year-over-year growth [2] - Gross revenues for the quarter were BRL 4.7 billion, marking a 4% year-over-year increase [3] - EBT decreased by 5% year-over-year to BRL 1.3 billion, primarily due to last year's positive overhead impacts [3] - Net income reached a record high of BRL 1.321 billion, representing an 18% year-over-year growth [3] - ROE was 24.4%, with a 223 basis points expansion compared to the same quarter last year [4] - Diluted EPS grew by 22% year-over-year, driven by the share buyback program [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail revenue grew by 9% year-over-year, driven by fixed income and new retail verticals [23] - Fixed income revenue increased by 20% year-over-year, reaching BRL 1 billion [24] - Life insurance written premiums grew by 45% year-over-year, indicating strong growth potential in this segment [15] - Credit card transactions marked BRL 12.4 billion in TPV, an 8% year-over-year increase [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The corporate and institutional segment saw a net outflow of BRL 6 billion in new money, attributed to higher interest expenses and liquidity constraints [6][7] - The company maintained a 17% market share in the local industry for its broker-dealer operations [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to become the leader in investments in Brazil, focusing on a diversified ecosystem that integrates retail, institutional, and corporate divisions [11][12] - New product offerings and channel diversification are key strategies to enhance client engagement and drive profitability [10][11] - The company is investing in technology and marketing to improve client experience and expand its service offerings [88] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The current operating environment is more challenging than anticipated, particularly for investment banking origination activities [7] - Management remains optimistic about a solid GCM pipeline for the second half of the year and expects to achieve retail net new money averaging BRL 1 billion per quarter [8] - The company anticipates that the dynamics of the corporate lending market may continue to impact net new money in the upcoming quarters [72] Other Important Information - The company has a share buyback program of BRL 1 billion to be executed until next year, aligning with its capital distribution plan [5][31] - The BIS ratio stands at a comfortable level of 20.1%, indicating strong capital management [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Capital generation and dividends - Management indicated that net income is expected to grow faster than RWA, allowing for potential acceleration in dividends and buybacks [36][39] Question: Corporate lending strategy - Management acknowledged the importance of corporate lending but emphasized that growth in this area is aligned with their risk appetite [44][47] Question: Initiatives to increase net new money - Management highlighted channel diversification, new product offerings, and increased productivity of IFAs as key initiatives to drive net new money [55][57] Question: Inflows in the third quarter - Management expressed confidence in achieving BRL 20 billion in inflows, although specific inflow patterns for the quarter were not disclosed [62][67] Question: Corporate portfolio dynamics - Management explained that the corporate credit portfolio is primarily originated for securitization and sale, with current market dynamics affecting net new money [70][72] Question: Non-people related expenses - Management attributed the increase in non-people related expenses to marketing and technology investments, which are expected to continue [88][90] Question: Fee-based model impact - Management noted that while the fee-based model currently represents only 5% of AUC, it is expected to grow, potentially impacting the take rate but increasing the share of wallet [97][99]