Lincoln(LNC) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted Operating Income increased by 31% year-over-year in Q4 2025, marking the highest level in four years [5] - Full-year Adjusted Operating Income available to common stockholders was over $1.5 billion, a 23% improvement compared to 2024 [25] - Net income available to common stockholders for Q4 was $745 million, or $3.80 per diluted share [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Annuities delivered operating income of $311 million for Q4, with total sales volumes up 25% year-over-year [11][30] - Group Protection's full-year operating earnings increased by 16% to $493 million, with a margin improvement to 9% [28] - Life insurance delivered operating earnings of $77 million for Q4, a significant improvement from an operating loss of $15 million in the prior year [36] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - RILA sales increased by 35% in 2025, reflecting strong customer demand [12] - Fixed Annuity sales increased by 11%, while Variable Annuity sales rose by 27% year-over-year [12] - Group Protection's full-year premium growth was nearly 7%, driven by strong sales and persistency [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on increasing risk-adjusted returns, reducing volatility, and growing its franchise [7] - Strategic realignment efforts are aimed at optimizing the operating model and enhancing capital efficiency [9] - The company is prioritizing profitable growth over top-line sales growth, particularly in annuities [12][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver long-term value despite potential market volatility [10] - The company expects to sustain momentum in earnings growth and improve the quality of earnings over time [22] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining expense discipline and optimizing the investment strategy [41][42] Other Important Information - The investment portfolio delivered an annualized return of nearly 12% for Q4, exceeding targets [24] - The company completed the consolidation of several life insurance captive entities, which is expected to improve free cash flow [43][69] - Holding company liquidity ended the year at approximately $1.1 billion, providing financial flexibility for future capital returns [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Capital return expectations for 2026 - Management indicated that capital deployment priorities include maintaining excess capital in operating entities and preparing for preferred stock redemption [52][54] Question: Future remittances and shareholder returns - Management confirmed that remittances are expected to grow, and there is potential for increased capital return to shareholders in the future [60][61] Question: Impact of captive consolidation on earnings - Management noted that the captive consolidation completed in Q4 provided a $10 million benefit to life earnings and is part of broader efforts to improve free cash flow [69]