On Friday, Stephens, a financial services firm, raised its stock price target on FGL Holdings (NYSE:FG_old) (NYSE:FG) to $47.00, up from the previous $43.00, while maintaining an Equal Weight rating on the stock. The adjustment follows FGL's third-quarter performance, which surpassed Stephens' expectations.
The company reported normalized adjusted net earnings of $179 million, compared to the analyst's projection of $159 million. Moreover, FGL's normalized return on assets (ROA) reached 132 basis points (bps), a year-over-year increase of 10bps and nearing the company's long-term target range of 133bps to 155bps. This figure also exceeded Stephens' estimate of 127bps.
FGL Holdings demonstrated a robust quarter, with its earnings and ROA indicating a solid trajectory towards the long-term goals outlined during its 2023 investor day. The company has been capitalizing on favorable long-term demographic trends and has successfully raised $500 million through senior notes in October.
These funds are expected to further FGL's accretive owned distribution strategy. Moreover, the company's disciplined investment and expense management practices have contributed to continued margin expansion.
Despite the positive long-term outlook for FGL Holdings, Stephens remains cautious due to the uncertain macroeconomic environment, which includes heightened market volatility and potential challenges in investment yields. The firm acknowledges that FGL's hedging strategies may mitigate some risks, but the overall near-term uncertainty has led Stephens to adopt a wait-and-see approach.
In summary, Stephens reiterated its Equal Weight rating on FGL Holdings, while expressing a positive view on the company's progress towards its long-term objectives. The revised price target of $47 reflects the company's strong third-quarter performance and its strategic initiatives that are expected to drive future growth. However, the current economic uncertainties have prompted a cautious stance from the analyst firm.
In other recent news, Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF) has increased its quarterly cash dividend to $0.50 per share, marking a 4% increase from the previous dividend. The company has also acquired First Nationwide Title Agency's commercial operations, aiming to strengthen its commercial real estate services across the United States.
Meanwhile, F&G Annuities & Life, a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, has successfully issued $500 million in senior notes, with the intent of repaying existing borrowings and supporting general corporate purposes.
F&G Annuities & Life also reported strong Q2 earnings with adjusted net earnings of $139 million and record gross sales of $4.4 billion. The company's strategic investments, such as an increased stake in Freedom Equity Group, are contributing to margin growth and position the firm for sustained asset growth.
Analyst firms Piper Sandler and Barclays (LON:BARC) have maintained Neutral and Equalweight ratings respectively on F&G. These ratings, along with the recent developments, reflect the company's ongoing strategic initiatives and market position. The firm aims to achieve a 50% growth in assets under management by 2028. These are recent developments in the company's operations and future plans.
InvestingPro Insights
FGL Holdings' recent performance aligns with the positive outlook presented by Stephens. According to InvestingPro data, FGL's revenue growth has been impressive, with a 63.92% increase over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024, and an even stronger 68.89% growth in the most recent quarter. This robust growth supports the company's trajectory towards its long-term goals.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that FGL has shown a significant return over the last week, with data indicating a 12.01% price total return. This short-term performance, coupled with a strong 17.71% return over the last three months, suggests that investors are responding positively to the company's recent results and strategic initiatives.
While Stephens maintains a cautious stance due to macroeconomic uncertainties, InvestingPro Tips indicate that analysts predict the company will be profitable this year, which aligns with the firm's improved earnings outlook. Additionally, FGL's P/E ratio (adjusted) of 18.04 for the last twelve months as of Q3 2024 suggests a reasonable valuation relative to its earnings potential.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 6 additional tips that could provide deeper insights into FGL Holdings' financial health and market position.
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