Unum(UNM) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Year-to-date premium growth increased by 4%, with earnings per share at $2.09, slightly below expectations due to volatility in the closed block [4][5][13] - Adjusted after-tax operating income per share decreased from $2.13 in the same period last year to $2.09 this quarter [13] - Return on equity for core operations remains near 20%, while the overall return on equity is 11.3% [8][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core operations premium grew 2.9%, exceeding 4% when adjusted for ceded business impacts [12] - Unum US adjusted operating income was $334.9 million, down from $363.3 million year-over-year, with Group Disability adjusted operating earnings at $133.5 million [14][15] - Colonial Life's adjusted operating income increased to $116.6 million, with premium growth of 3.3% [17] - International segment reported adjusted operating income of $38.8 million, with premium growth of 9.5% [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Persistency for total group was 89.8%, down from 92.5% a year ago, but above expectations [16] - Sales growth across core segments was nearly 4.5%, with Unum US growing nearly 4%, Colonial Life up over 3%, and International delivering 10% growth [5][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on disciplined pricing and risk selection, with a commitment to long-term growth and profitability [7][10] - Strategic actions taken include a long-term care reinsurance transaction to manage risk and reduce the size of the closed block [8][9] - The company aims to invest in strategic initiatives, pursue selective M&A opportunities, and return capital to shareholders [10][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the core business's ability to deliver sustainable results and maintain strong margins [11][27] - The company anticipates continued growth into 2026, supported by a robust capital position and strategic initiatives [27][28] Other Important Information - The annual reserve assumption review resulted in a net increase in reserves of $478.5 million pre-tax, with significant impacts on long-term care [13][20] - The investment portfolio maintains an A-average rating, with historically low exposure to below investment-grade securities [10][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more color on the statutory side of the LTC assumption review? - Management indicated that the adjustments impacted the entire block of business, with statutory reserving levels remaining well in excess of best estimate reserves [30][31] Question: What is the rationale for keeping capital in Fairwind? - Management decided to retain capital in Fairwind due to strong protections and a robust capital position [32] Question: How do the recent assumption changes impact the premium rate increases? - The changes are linked to the removal of morbidity and mortality improvement assumptions, which will flow through to the rate increase program [34][36] Question: What is the outlook for group disability recoveries? - Management reported stable recoveries and a benefit ratio around 62%, indicating confidence in the sustainability of recovery trends [41][42] Question: What are the plans for share buybacks and capital management? - The company plans to continue increasing share repurchases while prioritizing investments in core operations and selective M&A opportunities [58][59]