Horace Mann(US:HMN)2025-11-05 17:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record third quarter core EPS of $1.36, a 64% increase over the prior year [4] - Trailing 12-month core return on equity increased to 13.8% [4] - Total revenues for the quarter were up 6% over the prior year, with net premiums and contract charges earned up over 7% [4][15] - Tangible book value per share increased more than 9%, reflecting strong underlying profitability [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Property and Casualty (P&C) segment, core earnings were $32 million, tripling year-over-year, with net written premiums of $232 million, a 9% increase [15][16] - The P&C reported combined ratio improved to 87.8%, reflecting much lower catastrophe costs [16] - In the Life and Retirement segment, core earnings were $15 million, in line with the prior year, and net written premiums and contract deposits rose to $170 million [17] - Supplemental and Group Benefits contributed $18 million to core earnings, with individual supplemental sales up 40% for the quarter [19][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced oversized growth in the supplemental and group benefits segment, with individual supplemental sales up 40% and group benefits nearly doubling [4][9] - Policyholder retention remained strong, with property retention nearly 89% and life persistency near 96% [17][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on increasing its share of the education market and driving future growth through strategic partnerships and enhanced distribution [7][8] - Investments are being made in growth while maintaining expense discipline, with a goal to reduce the expense ratio by about one and a half points over the next three years [10][34] - The company is leveraging GenAI to enhance productivity and efficiency across operations [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management raised full-year core EPS guidance to a range of $4.50-$4.70, reflecting strong year-to-date performance [5][14] - The company expects to continue to meet and exceed strategic objectives, delivering sustained market-leading growth and accelerating shareholder value creation [12][24] - Management noted that while this year has been favorable for catastrophe losses, it would not be prudent to assume similar conditions will repeat in the future [59][60] Other Important Information - The company plans to make a significant donation to the Horace Mann Educators Foundation in the fourth quarter, reflecting its commitment to supporting educators [14] - The company has returned $20 million to shareholders through share repurchases and $43 million through dividends [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Organic policy account growth trajectory in P&C operations - Management noted that sales momentum is up across all business lines, with retention steady and individual supplemental sales up 41% [26][27] Question: EPS guidance and moving pieces - Management explained that the updated guidance reflects known expenses and the intent to continue investing in growth, with a normalized fourth quarter expected [30][31] Question: Supplemental and group benefits capabilities - Management indicated that they are making investments in lead generation and expanding distribution for group benefits, which is a newer area for the company [39][40] Question: Catastrophe losses and mitigation efforts - Management confirmed that this year has seen lower catastrophe losses due to effective mitigation efforts and a favorable weather year, but they do not expect this trend to continue into 2026 [53][54]