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BHF Outperforms Industry, Hits 52-Week High: How to Play the Stock
ZACKS· 2025-12-22 15:51
Core Insights - Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF) achieved a 52-week high of $78.27, closing at $78.00, with a 35.1% increase over the past year, outperforming the industry and sector averages [1] - The company has a market capitalization of $3.55 billion, with an average trading volume of 0.7 million shares over the last three months [2] - BHF is trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, indicating strong upward momentum [3] Sales and Product Development - BHF has enhanced life and annuity sales through new product launches and an expanded distribution network, with notable sales from Strong Shield Level and SecureKey annuities [6][12] - The company launched Shield Level Pay Plus, contributing to increased annuity sales alongside improved underwriting margins and net investment income, which are expected to boost life insurance sales [11][12] Financial Performance and Valuation - BHF's shares are trading at a forward price-to-book value of 0.58X, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.96X, indicating attractive valuation [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects a 34.5% year-over-year increase in earnings per share for 2025, with a 2.4% revenue increase expected for 2026 [8] - BHF's trailing 12-month return on equity stands at 20.5%, surpassing the industry average of 15.4% [9] Market Position and Growth Strategy - As one of the largest life insurance providers in the U.S., BHF is well-positioned to benefit from the growing individual insurance market, focusing on ramping up sales and expanding its distribution network [10][12] - The company is committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet and enhancing financial flexibility, with plans for opportunistic share repurchases to create shareholder value [15][16]