Annuity Basics - Annuities are tools to help generate retirement income [1] - The industry offers fixed, variable, indexed, immediate, and deferred annuities [1]

About Cincinnati Financial Corporation: Cincinnati Financial Corporation offers primarily business, home and auto insurance through The Cincinnati Insurance Company and its two standard market property casualty companies. The same local independent insurance agencies that market those policies may offer products of our other subsidiaries, including life insurance, fixed annuities and surplus lines property and casualty insurance. For additional information about the company, please visit cinfin.com. , /P ...

Core Insights - Inflation is an unavoidable economic force that affects purchasing power, with an average annual rate of 2% being manageable, but higher rates lead to financial strain [1] Group 1: Impact on Wealth Holders - Inflation reduces the value of investments, particularly for those holding fixed claims like bonds, which lose purchasing power as inflation rises [3][5] - Older wealthy families, who typically hold significant amounts of bonds and cash, are adversely affected by high inflation, while younger middle-class families benefit as inflation reduces their fixed-rate mortgage debt [4] - The ultra-wealthy, who generally do not carry much household debt, see their cash and bond purchasing power eroded due to inflation, as these assets buy less over time [6] Group 2: Portfolio Performance - High inflation negatively impacts investment portfolios, especially for the top 1% who own a substantial portion of U.S. corporate equities and mutual funds, leading to diminished returns on bonds and stocks [5] - Rising inflation often results in increased interest rates, which can threaten stock valuations and profits, leading to weaker after-inflation returns for both asset classes [5]

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Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The estimated combined risk-based capital (RBC) ratio was between 405% and 425%, within the target range of 400% to 450% in normal market conditions [7][14] - Total adjusted capital (TAC) increased to approximately $5.6 billion at June 30, compared to approximately $5.5 billion at March 31 [14] - Adjusted earnings for the quarter were $198 million or $3.43 per share, down from $245 million in the previous quarter and $346 million in the same quarter of 2024 [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total annuity sales were $2.6 billion, a 16% sequential increase and an 8% increase compared to 2024 [9] - Shield sales totaled $1.9 billion in the quarter, with year-to-date Shield sales at $3.9 billion, consistent with the same period last year [10] - Life insurance sales in the second quarter were $33 million, contributing to record year-to-date life insurance sales of $69 million, a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company received $176 million in deposits through BlackRock's LifePath Paycheck product in the second quarter, indicating strong market engagement [10] - The company noted increased competition in the marketplace, particularly affecting Shield sales, which saw a decline for the first time in several years [49] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capital efficiency and maintaining a strong capital position at its insurance subsidiaries [6] - A strategic initiative includes separating the management of the Shield and variable annuity (VA) books to improve risk management and transparency [27][28] - The company aims to continue innovating with respect to products and maintaining pricing discipline despite competitive pressures [52][54] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to manage its legacy liabilities and maintain operational capabilities [46] - The company is committed to protecting its statutory balance sheet under adverse market conditions and expects to see less volatility in results over time [20][29] - Management indicated that the transition to a revised hedging strategy is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter [28] Other Important Information - Corporate expenses for the second quarter were $200 million, down from $239 million in the first quarter [11] - The company returned $43 million to shareholders through common stock repurchases in the second quarter, with a total of $102 million year-to-date [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about actuarial review for 3Q and 4Q - Management stated that the actuarial review is ongoing and no updates are available at this time [22][23] Question: Buyback plans and capital preservation - Management confirmed that buybacks are part of the normal plan but noted that the recent program expired in May [41][42] Question: Impact of competition on Shield sales - Management acknowledged increased competition but emphasized that they remain pleased with their performance and pricing discipline [49][52] Question: Clarification on unassigned surplus and cash flow - Management explained that the negative unassigned surplus is a technical consideration and does not fundamentally impact capital [58][61] Question: Long-term free cash flow projections - Management indicated that they need to complete ongoing initiatives before providing an outlook for future results [117]

Group 1 - Cincinnati Financial Corporation plans to release its second-quarter 2025 results on July 28, 2025, after the close of regular trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market [1] - A conference call to discuss the second-quarter 2025 results will be held on July 29, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET [1] - The call webcast can be accessed via investors.cinfin.com, with a replay available approximately two hours after the event's completion [1] Group 2 - Cincinnati Financial Corporation primarily offers business, home, and auto insurance through The Cincinnati Insurance Company and its two standard market property casualty companies [2] - The same local independent insurance agencies that market those policies may also offer products from the company's other subsidiaries, including life insurance, fixed annuities, and surplus lines property and casualty insurance [2] - Additional information about the company can be found at cinfin.com [2]

Core Viewpoint - Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF) reported a first-quarter 2025 adjusted net income of $4.17 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.6%, with a year-over-year decline of 1.8% in the bottom line, attributed to lower premiums and rising expenses, although offset by improved adjusted net investment income [1][2] Financial Performance - Total operating revenues reached $2.2 billion, reflecting a 6.1% increase year over year, driven by higher universal life and investment-type product policy fees and net investment income [1] - Premiums amounted to $186 million, down 7.9% year over year, compared to an estimate of $218.3 million [2] - Adjusted net investment income was $1.3 billion, up 2% year over year, primarily due to asset growth, with an investment income yield of 4.25% [2] - Total expenses were $2.7 billion, nearly four times higher year over year, exceeding the estimate of $995.5 million [2] Segment Performance - Annuities segment reported adjusted operating income of $314 million, a slight increase of 0.3% year over year, while annuity sales decreased by 21% to $2.3 billion, mainly due to lower fixed annuity sales [3] - Life insurance segment achieved adjusted operating earnings of $9 million, recovering from a loss of $36 million in the previous year, with life insurance sales increasing by 24% quarter over quarter to $36 million [4] - Run-off segment recorded an adjusted operating loss of $64 million, wider than the previous year's loss of $34 million, attributed to lower net investment income [4] - Corporate & Other segment incurred an adjusted operating loss of $24 million, an improvement from a loss of $34 million in the prior year [5] Financial Position - Cash and cash equivalents stood at $4.7 billion, a 22% increase year over year [6] - Shareholders' equity reached $5.2 billion, up 25% year over year [6] - Book value per share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income, was $141.87 as of March 31, 2025, reflecting a 12.3% increase year over year [6] - Statutory combined total adjusted capital was $5.5 billion, down 8.3% year over year, with an estimated combined risk-based capital ratio of 420-440% [6] Share Buyback Activity - Brighthouse Financial repurchased shares worth $59 million in the first quarter of 2025, with an additional $26 million on a trade date basis through May 6, 2025 [7]

Core Points - Cincinnati Financial Corporation has made available materials for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, including the 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting Notice and Proxy Statement, and the 2025 Annual Letter to Shareholders [1] - The Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. ET, at the Cincinnati Art Museum, with a live webcast available for those unable to attend in person [2] - Shareholders of record as of March 5, 2025, will receive voting instructions via mail or email, with a focus on encouraging online reading of proxy materials to reduce costs and environmental impact [3] Company Information - Cincinnati Financial Corporation primarily offers business, home, and auto insurance through The Cincinnati Insurance Company and its two standard market property casualty companies, along with life insurance, fixed annuities, and surplus lines property and casualty insurance through its subsidiaries [5]