The Travelers Companies, Inc., a provider of property and casualty insurance, has completed the sale of the personal insurance business and the majority of the commercial insurance business of Travelers Canada to Definity Financial Corporation for approximately $2.4 billion.The sale was initially announced in May 2025. Travelers has retained its premier Canadian surety business.Travelers will use approximately $0.7 billion of the net cash proceeds from the transaction for additional share repurchases in 202 ...

Core Viewpoint - Travelers Companies, Inc. is divesting its personal and majority of commercial insurance business in Canada to Definity Financial Corporation for $2.4 billion to optimize capital allocation and enhance long-term shareholder value [1][3]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The divestiture is valued at 1.8 times book value, excluding approximately $0.8 billion of excess local capital being repatriated in a tax-efficient manner [2]. - The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions [1]. Group 2: Financial Implications - Travelers plans to use $0.7 billion of the net proceeds for share buybacks in 2026, while the remaining $1.7 billion will support ongoing operations and general corporate purposes [3]. - The transaction is anticipated to be slightly accretive to earnings per share over the next several years [4]. Group 3: Market Position and Growth - Travelers is the largest surety writer in North America and will retain its premier Canadian surety business, aligning with its core competencies [3]. - The company has seen net written premiums grow by over 70% to over $43 billion in the past eight years, driven by strong retention rates and positive premium changes [5]. Group 4: Underwriting and Technology - Travelers remains optimistic about its personal lines of business, expecting moderated claim trends and bundling of auto and home coverages to enhance affordability [6]. - The company is investing over $1 billion annually in technology to improve underwriting claims, customer experience, and risk management capabilities [7]. Group 5: Shareholder Returns - Travelers has increased dividends for 21 consecutive years, with a compound annual growth rate of 8%, and currently offers a dividend yield of 1.7%, outperforming the industry average of 0.3% [8]. - The company's shares have gained 14.3% year-to-date, though this is below the industry's increase of 16.5% [8]. Group 6: Valuation Metrics - Travelers shares are trading at a price-to-book ratio of 2.21X, higher than the industry average of 1.63X, but cheaper than competitors like The Progressive Corporation and The Allstate Corporation [9]. - Despite the premium valuation, the stock is considered a buy due to underwriting excellence, solid investment income, and a strong balance sheet with statutory capital and surplus of $27.8 billion as of the first quarter of 2025 [10].