CNO Financial Group Inc

CNO Financial Group beat Wall Street revenue and profit expectations in the second quarter of 2026, driven by record annuity and Medicare Supplement sales. Revenue rose 5.5% year on year to $1.01 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $993.1 million, while adjusted earnings per share of $1.26 came in 29.9% above the consensus of $0.97. The operating margin expanded to 15% from 11.8% a year earlier. Management highlighted a 52% increase in Medicare Supplement new annualized premiums and a 29% jump in worksite life and health new annualized premiums, supported by the company's captive agent distribution model and favorable demographic trends.

CNO Financial Group reported better-than-expected revenue for the second quarter of CY2026, with sales rising 34.6% year on year to $1.29 billion. The figure exceeded analyst estimates of $993.1 million by 29.4%. GAAP earnings per share came in at $1.33, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by 36.4%. Net premiums earned, the largest component of revenue, grew 4.5% to $680.7 million. Book value per share was $27.96, missing analyst expectations of $40.30 by 30.6%. The stock traded up 2.7% to $54.95 following the release.

Zacks Equity Research has identified Oscar Health, Radian Group, CNO Financial Group, Pelagos Insurance Capital Ltd., and Horace Mann Educators as multiline insurance stocks to buy, citing product diversification and digitalization as key industry drivers. The Zacks Multiline Insurance industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 169, placing it in the bottom 32% of 247 industries, with analysts revising aggregate earnings estimates downward by 6.4% for the current year. Despite this, the report points to diversified portfolios, merger and acquisition activity, and increased technology adoption as trends shaping the industry's future. Oscar Health and Pelagos Insurance Capital hold a Zacks Rank of 1, or Strong Buy, while Horace Mann Educators, CNO Financial Group, and Radian Group carry a Zacks Rank of 2, or Buy. The industry has gained 4.8% year to date, underperforming the Finance sector's 5.9% rise and the S&P 500's 9.7% increase.

CNO Financial Group stock has reached $52.75, capping a 30-day return of 4.64% and a one-year total shareholder return of 46.15%. The most-followed fair value estimate stands at $51.75, suggesting the shares are about 1.9% overvalued, while a discounted cash flow model points to a fair value of $69.11, implying the stock is roughly 23.7% undervalued. Growth in annuity and life/health policy sales, supported by an aging U.S. population, and a 39% year-over-year increase in digital direct-to-consumer leads are cited as factors that could expand margins and support revenue.

Prudential Financial reported first-quarter revenues of $15.23 billion, a 13.6% year-on-year increase that exceeded analyst expectations by 8.1% and marked the fastest revenue growth among the 11 life insurance stocks tracked. The group as a whole saw revenues miss consensus estimates by 1.1%, but share prices have risen an average of 7.1% since the latest earnings results. Primerica posted revenues of $872.3 million, up 8.6% and beating estimates by 1.9%, while Brighthouse Financial recorded the weakest performance with revenues of $2.10 billion, down 2.7% and missing estimates by 4.8%. CNO Financial Group and Globe Life each reported revenue growth of just over 5%, with results roughly in line with expectations.