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On Wednesday, Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James analyst Wilma Burdis upgraded Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) shares, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: UNM), from Market Perform to Strong Buy, setting a price target of $108.00. The upgrade for the $13.8 billion insurance provider, currently trading at $77.91, followed discussions with Unum’s CEO Rick McKenney and CFO Steve Zabel at the Raymond James Institutional Investors Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Burdis expressed confidence in Unum’s group insurance businesses and anticipated a re-rating of the company’s stock as it continues to de-risk its long-term care (LTC) insurance block. According to InvestingPro data, the company trades at an attractive P/E ratio of 8.26, which appears low relative to its near-term earnings growth potential. The analyst highlighted Unum’s attractive long-term targets, which include 4-7% core annual premium growth and an 8-10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in earnings per share (EPS).
The company’s solid premium growth is supported by factors such as customer acquisition, wage inflation, and a persistency rate of approximately 90%. According to Burdis, earnings growth aligns with the 4-7% premium growth, while EPS growth is further enhanced by the company’s consistent share repurchases. The core business’s return on equity (ROE) is expected to be in the mid-teens, currently at 17%, which adds to the analyst’s positive outlook on Unum Group. InvestingPro analysis shows the company maintains a "GREAT" financial health score, with 10+ additional insights available to subscribers.
The upgrade to a Strong Buy rating reflects Raymond James’ optimism about Unum’s future financial performance and its strategic initiatives to manage risk within its insurance portfolio. The new price target of $108.00 suggests a substantial upside from the company’s current market valuation, though InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis indicates the stock is currently trading near its Fair Value.
In other recent news, Unum Group reported fourth-quarter earnings that did not meet analyst expectations, with adjusted earnings per share at $2.03, falling short of the anticipated $2.14. Revenue also missed projections, coming in at $3.24 billion compared to the expected $3.29 billion. Despite these misses, Unum Group announced a new $1 billion stock buyback program set to start on April 1, 2025, following the termination of the existing program. Additionally, BMO Capital Markets raised its price target for Unum Group shares to $102, citing a significant transaction that improved the company’s financial outlook.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods also increased their price target for Unum Group to $103, following a favorable long-term care risk transfer deal and internal reinsurance moves. Truist Securities revised its price target to $90, maintaining a Buy rating and noting expectations for continued revenue growth and profitability. Unum Group’s strategic actions and capital management have led to these positive reassessments by analysts, reflecting confidence in its financial health. The company has projected 8-12% growth in after-tax adjusted operating income per share for 2025, compared to the 2024 result of $8.44 per share.
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