Latest news for Unum Gr (NYSE:UNM) Stock

Unum Gr

Unum Group is a provider of group and individual income protection insurance products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and other countries. It is the largest domestic disability insurer, with the majority of premiums generated from employer plans. The company also offers a complementary portfolio of other insurance products, including long-term care insurance, life insurance, and employer- and employee-paid group benefits. It has the following operating business segments: Unum US, Unum International, and Colonial Life. The majority of the revenue is earned from the Unum US segment. The firm markets its products primarily through brokers.

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All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it&#39;s through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. However, when you&#39;re an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.

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Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) has been favored by investors on the back of favorable sales trends and risk experience, strong persistency, an improving rate environment and a solid capital position.

Reasons Why Investors Should Retain Unum Group Now

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Unum analyst initiated coverage with Overweight rating, citing growth trends and integration with HR platforms.

Insurance Underwriting Stock Will Benefit From Favorable Industry Trends, Says Bullish Analyst

Unum Group

Unum Group 6.250% Junior Subordinated Notes due 2058

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All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it&#39;s through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. However, when you&#39;re an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company&#39;s earnings paid out to shareholders; it&#39;s often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
<h2>Unum in Focus</h2>
Based in Chattanooga, Unum (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/unm#NYSE">UNM</a>) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 20.21%. The insurance company is paying out a dividend of $0.42 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 3.09% compared to the Insurance - Accident and Health industry&#39;s yield of 1.84% and the S&amp;P 500&#39;s yield of 1.58%.
Taking a look at the company&#39;s dividend growth, its current annualized dividend of $1.68 is up 20.9% from last year. Unum has increased its dividend 4 times on a year-over-year basis over the last 5 years for an average annual increase of 6.37%. Any future dividend growth will depend on both earnings growth and the company&#39;s payout ratio; a payout ratio is the proportion of a firm&#39;s annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Right now, Unum&#39;s payout ratio is 18%, which means it paid out 18% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
UNM is expecting earnings to expand this fiscal year as well. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 is $8.46 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 10.44%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Investors like dividends for many reasons; they greatly improve stock investing profits, decrease overall portfolio risk, and carry tax advantages, among others. But, not every company offers a quarterly payout.
Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it&#39;s fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, UNM presents a compelling investment opportunity; it&#39;s not only an attractive dividend play, but the stock also boasts a strong Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2334131/unum-unm-could-be-a-great-choice?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_5-2334131">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Unum Gr's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) short percent of float has risen 14.75% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 3.93 million shares sold short, which is 2.8% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.94 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Unum Gr Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725631211_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Unum Gr has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Unum Gr's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Unum Gr's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.51%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

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(UNM) - Analyzing Unum Gr's Short Interest

Barclays analyst Alex Scott initiates coverage on Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) with a Overweight rating and announces Price Target of $73.

Price Target

Barclays Initiates Coverage On Unum Gr with Overweight Rating, Announces Price Target of $73

Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 2.36% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 16.52%. Currently, Unum Gr has a market capitalization of $10.04 billion. 
Buying $1000 In UNM: If an investor had bought $1000 of UNM stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,055.91 today based on a price of $54.05 for UNM at the time of writing.
<h3>Unum Gr's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1724362222_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Unum Gr 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Unum Gr's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) short percent of float has risen 14.75% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 3.93 million shares sold short, which is 2.8% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.94 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Unum Gr Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1724095810_0_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Unum Gr has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Unum Gr's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Unum Gr's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.85%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Looking Into Unum Gr's Recent Short Interest

Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 9 analysts have published ratings on Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) in the last three months.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $64.33, a high estimate of $70.00, and a low estimate of $57.00. Marking an increase of 4.4%, the current average surpasses the previous average price target of $61.62. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1723492828_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive Unum Gr. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Elyse Greenspan</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$69.00</td>
<td>$66.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Hughes</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jimmy Bhullar</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$64.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Ward</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$69.00</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Barnidge</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$57.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Suneet Kamath</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$64.00</td>
<td>$63.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jimmy Bhullar</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$64.00</td>
<td>$58.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Suneet Kamath</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$63.00</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Gallagher</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>In-Line</td>
<td>$58.00</td>
<td>$56.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Unum Gr. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Unum Gr compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Unum Gr's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Unum Gr analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Unum Gr: A Closer Look</h2>
Unum Group is a provider of group and individual income protection insurance products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and other countries. It is the largest domestic disability insurer, with the majority of premiums generated from employer plans. The company also offers a complementary portfolio of other insurance products, including long-term care insurance, life insurance, and employer- and employee-paid group benefits. It has the following operating business segments: Unum US, Unum International, and Colonial Life. The majority of the revenue is earned from the Unum US segment. The firm markets its products primarily through brokers.
<h3>Breaking Down Unum Gr's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization: Indicating a reduced size compared to industry averages, the company's market capitalization poses unique challenges.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Unum Gr's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 3.6% as of 30 June, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Financials sector.
Net Margin: Unum Gr's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 12.15%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): Unum Gr's ROE is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 3.77%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Return on Assets (ROA): Unum Gr's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 0.63%. This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: Unum Gr's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.33.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may supplement their ratings with predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, offering investors a more comprehensive outlook. However, investors should be mindful that analysts, like any human, can have subjective perspectives influencing their forecasts.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Where Unum Gr Stands With Analysts

Wells Fargo analyst Elyse Greenspan maintains Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $66 to $69.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Unum Gr, Raises Price Target to $69

Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 2.01% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.0%. Currently, Unum Gr has a market capitalization of $9.96 billion. 
Buying $1000 In UNM: If an investor had bought $1000 of UNM stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,084.24 today based on a price of $53.63 for UNM at the time of writing.
<h3>Unum Gr's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1723471214_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 5 Years Ago, You Would Have $2,100 Today

Unum Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/unm#NYSE">UNM</a>) has been favored by investors on the back of favorable sales trends and risk experience, strong persistency, an improving rate environment and a solid capital position.
<h3>Optimistic Growth Projections</h3>
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Unum Group&#39;s 2024 earnings per share indicates an increase of 9.2% from the year-ago reported number. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $12.96 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 4.3%.
The consensus estimate for 2025 earnings per share and revenues indicates an increase of 5.7% and 3.7%, respectively, from the corresponding 2024 estimates.
Earnings have grown 9% in the past five years, better than the industry average of 3.8%.
<h3>Earnings Surprise History</h3>
Unum Group has a decent earnings surprise history. It beat estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed in one, the average beat being 2.96%.
<h3>Estimate Revision</h3>
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings has moved 1.4% and 1.6% north, respectively, in the past 30 days. This should instill investors&#39; confidence in the stock.
<h3>Zacks Rank &amp; Price Performance</h3>
UNM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Year to date, the stock has gained 17.4% compared with the industry&#39;s growth of 18.6%.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/61/73842.jpg?v=2059741613" /> 
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<h3>Style Score</h3>
UNM has a favorable VGM Score of B. VGM Score helps identify stocks with the most attractive value, best growth and most promising momentum.
<h3>Return on Equity (ROE)</h3>
In the second quarter of 2024, Unum Group&#39;s trailing 12-month ROE expanded 30 basis points year over year to 15.6%. ROE reflects the insurer&#39;s efficiency in using shareholders&#39; funds. Also, the insurer&#39;s return on invested capital has been increasing over the last few quarters, reflecting its efficiency in utilizing funds to generate income. ROIC in the trailing 12 months was 9.2%, better than the industry average of 7.9%.
<h3>Business Tailwinds</h3>
Premiums, the primary component of Unum&#39;s top line, continue to gain from its healthy in-force block growth and higher sales. Unum Group expects sales growth in the range of 7-10% and premium growth in the band of 5-7% in 2024. For the long term, it expects sales growth in the range of 8-12% and premium growth in the range of 4-7%.
UNM is poised to grow on the operational excellence of Unum U.S. and Colonial Life. Encouraging sales trends, strong persistency in group lines and growth of new product lines like dental and vision, coupled with favorable risk results, should benefit Unum U.S. and Colonial Life, the two largest operating segments.
Management estimates sales growth of 5-10% and premium growth of 5-7% in 2024 at Unum U.S. It expects sales growth in the range of 8-12% and premium growth in the band of 2-4% at Colonial Life for 2024.
UNM enjoys a solid capital position and substantial statutory earnings and capital, leading to financial flexibility.
In its concerted effort to distribute wealth to shareholders, UNM has hiked dividends 13 times in the last 12 years. Its recent 15% dividend hike takes the dividend payout ratio to around 20%.
Also, UNM expects to repurchase $500 million worth of shares in 2024. The insurer expects to hike dividends by 10-15% per year over the next five-year period. Unum Group banks on consistent cash flow for such capital payouts.
<h3>Stocks to Consider</h3>
Some better-ranked stocks from the insurance industry are NMI Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nmih#NASDAQ">NMIH</a>), Root, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/root#NASDAQ">ROOT</a>) and The Progressive Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pgr#NYSE">PGR</a>), each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present.
NMI Holdings&#39; earnings surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average surprise being 10.15%. Year to date, shares of NMIH have jumped 25.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NMIH&#39;s 2024 and 2025 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 15.6% and 5.5%, respectively.
Root&#39;s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average surprise being 47.87%. Year to date, shares of ROOT have jumped 310.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ROOT&#39;s 2024 and 2025 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 60.6% and 37.5%, respectively.
The Progressive&#39;s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average surprise being 24.08%. Year to date, shares of PGR have jumped 37.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PGR&#39;s 2024 and 2025 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 96.7% and 5.3%, respectively.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2320170/reasons-why-investors-should-retain-unum-group-unm-now?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2320170">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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Shares of companies within the broader financial sector are trading lower amid overall market weakness following weak US jobs data.

Truist Securities analyst Mark Hughes maintains Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $62 to $70.

Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Unum Gr, Raises Price Target to $70

Unum Group shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q2 adjusted EPS results and raised its FY24 after-tax adjusted operating income per share growth guidance. Also, JP Morgan maintained an Overweight rating on the stock and raised its price target from $64 to $65.

JP Morgan analyst Jimmy Bhullar maintains Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $64 to $65.

JP Morgan Maintains Overweight on Unum Gr, Raises Price Target to $65

Unum Group shares are trading lower. The company reported Q2 financial results.

Guidance

Unum Group Raises FY2024 Outlook; Increases After-Tax Adjusted Operating Income Per Share Growth Expectation From 7%-9% To 10%-15% Due To Strong First Half Performance

Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $2.16 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.02 by 6.93 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $3.23 billion which met the analyst consensus estimate. This is a 3.89 percent increase over sales of $3.11 billion the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Unum Gr Q2 2024 Adj EPS $2.16 Beats $2.02 Estimate, Sales $3.23B Inline

Current Program To Terminate On July 31, 2024

Buybacks

Unum Group Announces $1B Share Repurchase Program Starting August 1, 2024

Unum Gr's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) short percent of float has fallen 14.66% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 3.78 million shares sold short, which is 2.62% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.94 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Unum Gr Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721847617_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Unum Gr has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Unum Gr's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Unum Gr's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.91%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

How Is The Market Feeling About Unum Gr?

Throughout the last three months, 7 analysts have evaluated Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>), offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish.
The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Insights from analysts' 12-month price targets are revealed, presenting an average target of $62.43, a high estimate of $69.00, and a low estimate of $57.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 4.63% increase from the previous average price target of $59.67.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1721746868_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Unum Gr by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Michael Ward</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$69.00</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Barnidge</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$57.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Suneet Kamath</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$64.00</td>
<td>$63.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jimmy Bhullar</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$64.00</td>
<td>$58.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Suneet Kamath</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$63.00</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Gallagher</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>In-Line</td>
<td>$58.00</td>
<td>$56.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Hughes</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$62.00</td>
<td>$57.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Unum Gr. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering insights into predictions, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Unum Gr compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Unum Gr's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UNM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Unum Gr analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know Unum Gr Better</h2>
Unum Group is a provider of group and individual income protection insurance products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and other countries. It is the largest domestic disability insurer, with the majority of premiums generated from employer plans. The company also offers a complementary portfolio of other insurance products, including long-term care insurance, life insurance, and employer- and employee-paid group benefits. It has the following operating business segments: Unum US, Unum International, and Colonial Life. The majority of the revenue is earned from the Unum US segment. The firm markets its products primarily through brokers.
<h3>Financial Milestones: Unum Gr's Journey</h3>
Market Capitalization Perspectives: The company's market capitalization falls below industry averages, signaling a relatively smaller size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Revenue Growth: Unum Gr's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 March, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 5.23%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Financials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Unum Gr's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 12.43%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Unum Gr's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 3.98%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.63%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Unum Gr's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 0.34, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Expert Ratings For Unum Gr

Citigroup analyst Michael Ward maintains Unum Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNM#NYSE">UNM</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $62 to $69.

Citigroup Maintains Buy on Unum Gr, Raises Price Target to $69

In a report released yesterday, Suneet Kamath from Jefferies maintained a Buy rating on Unum Group (UNM – Research Report), with a price target of ...

Jefferies Keeps Their Buy Rating on Unum Group (UNM)

In times of economic uncertainty, inflation worries, and market fluctuations, dividend stocks might be wise choices because they offer stability and consistent income. Hence, let's examine the fundamentals of reliable dividend stocks like RTX (RTX), Northrop Grumman (NOC), and Unum (UNM) to determine if they are currently a buy or hold. Read on... Dividend stocks are beneficial now as they provide regular income through payouts, offering stability amid market fluctuations. Therefore, income investors might consider buying dividend stocks such as Northrop Grumman Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/NOC/">NOC</a>) and Unum Group (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNM/">UNM</a>) for their reliable dividend growth and yield while waiting for a more favorable entry point for RTX Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/RTX/">RTX</a>).
Inflation is still a concern, with consumer expectations at <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-consumer-confidence-rises-july-inflation-expectations-steady-2024-07-30/#:~:text=Consumers'%2012%2Dmonth%20inflation%20expectations,the%20Morning%20Bid%20U.S.%20newsletter.">5.4% in July</a>, down from 7.9% in 2022. Despite growing consumer confidence, high inflation and interest rates are impacting buying power and economic stability. Dividend stocks can help protect against inflation because they often increase payouts and grow earnings over time.
The U.S. economy is expected to grow by <a href="https://www.euromonitor.com/global-economic-forecasts-q3-2024/report">2.3% in 2024</a>. The job market is steady, with an unemployment rate of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/slow-steady-us-job-growth-anticipated-july-2024-08-02/">4.1%</a>. Wage growth has slowed, but dividend stocks usually do well in uncertain conditions, providing reliable income and less risk. This makes them a good choice for retirement or long-term investments.
Furthermore, dividend stocks allow for reinvestment into additional shares, potentially boosting overall returns. Dividends can efficiently generate income and grow investments. Considering these trends, let's analyze the fundamental aspects of three reliable dividend picks.
Stocks to Buy:
Northrop Grumman Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/NOC/">NOC</a>) 
NOC operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through the Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems, and Space Systems segments.
On May 14, 2024, NOC's board declared a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend to $2.06 per share. The dividend is payable on June 12, 2024, to shareholders of record as of May 28, 2024.
In terms of the trailing-12-month Return on Common Equity, NOC's 15.35% is 20.9% higher than the 12.70% industry average. Likewise, its 4.30% trailing-12-month Capex / Sales is 48.1% higher than the 2.90% industry average. Furthermore, its 0.87x trailing-12-month <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/assetturnover.asp">asset turnover ratio</a> is 11.9% higher than the 0.78x industry average.
NOC pays an annual dividend of $8.24, which translates to a yield of 1.69% at the current share price. Its four-year average dividend yield is 1.59%. In addition, the company's dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 9% over the past three years. NOC has paid dividends for the past 34 years.
NOC's total sales for the fiscal second quarter that ended June 30, 2024, amounted to $10.22 billion, up 6.7% year-over-year. Likewise, its total operating income rose 12.7% from the year-ago quarter to $1.09 billion. In addition, the company's net earnings and EPS were $940 million and $6.36, up 15.8% and 19.1% over the prior-year quarter, respectively.
For the quarter ending September 30, 2024, NOC's revenue is expected to increase 4% year-over-year to $10.17 billion. Its EPS for the quarter ending December 31, 2024, is expected to rise 3.3% year-over-year to 6.48. It surpassed the Street EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. Over the month, the stock has gained 11.9% to close the last trading session at $486.53.
NOC's robust outlook is reflected in its <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a>. It has an overall rating of B, equating to a Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings assess stocks by 118 different factors, each with its own weighting.
NOC has a B grade for Momentum, Stability, and Sentiment. Within the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/air-defense/">Air/Defense Services</a> industry, it is ranked #16 out of 70 stocks. To see NOC's ratings for Growth, Value, and Quality, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/NOC/">click here</a>.
Unum Group (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNM/">UNM</a>)
UNM and its subsidiaries provide financial protection benefit solutions primarily internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and the Closed Block segment.
On July 12, 2024, UNM declared a quarterly dividend of $0.420 per share on its common stock. The dividend will be paid on August 16, 2024, to stockholders of record as of July 26, 2024.
On June 18, 2024, UNM announced the launch of Unum Broker Connect for Employee Navigator, enhancing integration and efficiency for brokers. This new service streamlines case setup automates plan builds, and facilitates seamless data exchange.
In terms of the trailing-12-month Return on Total Capital, UNM's 8.74% is 25.8% higher than the 6.95% industry average. Its 2.12% trailing-12-month Return on Total Assets is 100.9% higher than the 1.06% industry average. Also, its 13.37% trailing-12-month Return on Common Equity is 26.8% higher than the 10.54% industry average.
UNM has paid dividends for 24 consecutive years.  Its annualized dividend of $1.68 per share translates to a dividend yield of 3.18% on the current share price. Its four-year average yield is 3.73%. Also, UNM's dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 9.5% over the past three years.
UNM's total net revenue for the second quarter ending June 30, 2024, increased 3.9% year-over-year to $3.23 billion. The company's after-tax operating income was $411.40 million, or $2.16 per share, up 1% and 4.9% from the year-ago values, respectively. During the same period, the company's net income stood at $389.50 million, with net income per share at $2.05, up 3.5% year-over-year.
Analysts expect UNM's EPS for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, to increase 4.3% year-over-year to $2.02. Its revenue for the same quarter is expected to increase 4.5% year-over-year to $3.26 billion. It surpassed the consensus EPS estimates in three of the four trailing quarters. UNM's stock has gained 20.9% over the past nine months to close the last trading session at $52.83.
UNM's strong fundamentals are reflected in its POWR Ratings. It has an overall rating of B, equating to a Buy in our proprietary rating system.
It is ranked first out of 8 stocks in the B-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/accident-supplemental-insurance/">Insurance - Accident &amp; Supplemental</a> industry. It has an A grade for Momentum and a B for Stability. To access UNM's grades for Growth, Value, Sentiment, and Quality, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNM/">click here</a>.
Stock to Hold:
RTX Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/RTX/">RTX</a>)
RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides systems and services for commercial, military, and government customers internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt &amp; Whitney, and Raytheon.
On June 3, 2024, RTX's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.63 per share, payable on September 5, 2024. The dividend will be issued to shareholders of record as of August 16, 2024.
In terms of the trailing-12-month levered FCF margin, RTX's 12.99% is 96.2% higher than the 6.62% industry average. Likewise, its 3.28% trailing-12-month Capex / Sales is 12.9% higher than the 2.90% industry average. On the other hand, its 16.38% trailing-12-month gross profit margin is 47.9% lower than the 31.4% industry average.
RTX has paid dividends for 34 consecutive years.  Its annual dividend is $2.52, which translates to a yield of 2.20% at the current share price. Its four-year average dividend yield is 2.44%. Moreover, the company's dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 7.4% over the past three years.
RTX's sales for the second quarter ending June 30, 2024, increased 7.7% from the year to $19.72 billion. Its adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders remained flat year-over-year at $1.90 billion, while its EPS rose 9.3% year-over-year to $1.41. Additionally, the company's free cash flow increased significantly from the previous year to $2.20 billion.
Street expects RTX's EPS and revenue for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, to increase 6.7% and 47.2% year-over-year to $1.33 and $19.82 billion, respectively. It surpassed the Street EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The stock has gained 12.3% over the past three months to close the last trading session at $114.40.
RTX's POWR Ratings reflect its mixed fundamentals. It has an overall rating of C, which translates to a Neutral in our proprietary system.
It is ranked #25 in the Air/Defense Services industry. It has a B grade for Growth, Momentum, and Sentiment. <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/RTX/">Click here</a> to see RTX ratings for Value, Stability, and Quality.
What To Do Next?
Get your hands on this special report with 3 low priced companies with tremendous upside potential even in today's volatile markets:
<a href="https://report.stocknews.com/free-report/3stocks/?formplacement=artbotad_3s">3 Stocks to DOUBLE This Year &gt;</a>

<hr />
RTX shares were trading at $114.68 per share on Wednesday afternoon, up $0.28 (+0.24%). Year-to-date, RTX has gained 38.02%, versus a 10.53% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Abhishek Bhuyan</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ABhuyan.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Abhishek embarked on his professional journey as a financial journalist due to his keen interest in discerning the fundamental factors that influence the future performance of financial instruments.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=abhishek-bhuyan">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/rtx-noc-unm-3-reliable-dividend-stocks-to-buy-and-hold/>3 Reliable Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

3 Reliable Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold

The insurance industry is growing strongly with increasing insurance rates, evolving demand from consumers, and technological advancements. Hence, amid bullish price targets, investing in quality insurance stocks Progressive Corporation (PGR), W. R. Berkley (WRB), and Unum Group (UNM) could be wise. Read more... Developing economies and markets globally are transforming the operations of the insurance sector, propelling it toward expansion. Further, digital platforms enhance core processes and improve customer experience, opening wider opportunities for the industry.
Against this backdrop, it could be wise to invest in fundamentally strong insurance stocks The Progressive Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PGR/">PGR</a>), W. R. Berkley Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/WRB/">WRB</a>), and Unum Group (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNM/">UNM</a>), with bullish analyst price targets.
During the second quarter of 2024, <a href="https://www.marsh.com/en/services/international-placement-services/insights/global-insurance-market-index.html#:~:text=Global%20product%20line%20trends%2C%20Q2%202024%3A&amp;text=Casualty%20lines%20rates%20increased%203,globally%2C%20declining%20in%20every%20region.">casualty insurance rates increased 3%</a> globally whereas property lines rates remained flat globally, depicting a positive view of the insurance market. Further, in global comparison, <a href="https://www.marsh.com/en/services/international-placement-services/insights/us-insurance-rates.html">US property insurance rates increased 2%</a> and casualty insurance rates increased 4% as large jury verdicts and increased physical damage costs affect auto liability.
Also, slowi but still robust economic growth, and high interest rates are <a href="https://www.swissre.com/institute/research/sigma-research/sigma-2024-03-world-insurance-global-resilience.html">driving growth for the insurance business</a>. An aggregate 15% improvement in the profitability for the life insurance sector is expected across major and advanced markets and non-life sector also expects stronger results with newly underwritten business.
The life insurance market in the United States is projected to reach a market value of $1.27 trillion in 2024. The gross written premium is expected to grow at a <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/fmo/insurances/life-insurance/united-states">CAGR of 3.7%</a>, resulting in a market volume of $1.47 trillion by 2028, driven by the prevalence of digital platforms and online sales in the life insurance market.
Further, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics enhancing process precision, claims efficiency, and risk assessment accuracy, the <a href="https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/property-and-casualty-insurance-market">property and casualty insurance market</a> is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The new technologies are advancing core processes and improving customer experiences transforming how the market operates.
Moreover, investors' interest in insurance stocks is evident from iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/IAK/">IAK</a>) 28.4% returns over the past year.
Given the industry's robust outlook, investing in quality insurance stocks such as PGR, WRB, and UNM could be wise for future gains.
The Progressive Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PGR/">PGR</a>)
PGR is an insurance holding company which provides personal and commercial auto, personal residential and commercial property, business related general liability, and other specialty property-casualty insurance products and related services. It operates through three segments: Personal Lines; Commercial Lines; and Property.
On August 2, PGR's Board of Directors declared a $0.10 per common share dividend, payable on October 11, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 3, 2024.
PGR pays an annual dividend of $1.15, which translates to a yield of 0.19% at the current share price. Its four-year average dividend yield is 2.16%. Moreover, the company's dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 8.8% over the past ten years.
For the second quarter that ended June 30, 2024, PGR's net premiums earned increased 19% year-over-year to $17.21 billion. The company's <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/netincome.asp">net income</a> came in at $1.46 billion, and $2.48 per share, up 322.3% and 335% from the prior year's quarter, respectively.
Analysts expect PGR's revenue and EPS for the third quarter (ending September 2024) to grow 20.4% and 25.7% year-over-year to $18.77 billion and $2.65, respectively. Also, the company topped the consensus EPS estimates in each of the four trailing quarters.
Shares of PGR have surged 18.7% over the past six months and 67.7% over the past year to close the last trading session at $214.05. Moreover, Wall Street analysts expect the stock to reach $244.46 in the upcoming 12 months, indicating a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/pgr/forecast">potential upside of 14.2%</a>.
PGR's solid fundamentals are reflected in its <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a>. The stock has an overall rating of B, which translates to a Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings are calculated by considering 118 different factors, each weighted to an optimal degree.
PGR has an A grade for Sentiment and Momentum. It also has a B grade for Quality and Growth. It is ranked #10 out of 55 stocks in the B-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/property-casualty-insurance/">Insurance – Property &amp; Casualty</a> industry.
In addition to the POWR Ratings we've stated above, we also have PGR ratings for Value and Stability. Get all PGR ratings <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PGR/">here.</a>
R. Berkley Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/WRB/">WRB</a>)
WRB, an insurance holding company, functions as a commercial lines writers globally. The company operates in two segments, Insurance; and Reinsurance &amp; Monoline Excess. The company underwrites commercial insurance business, including excess and surplus lines, admitted lines, and specialty personal lines.
On June 12, WRB's Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend on its common stock of $0.50 per share paid on June 28, 2024 to stockholders of record on June 24, 2024. The Board also increased the regular cash dividend by 9.1% from the present rate. The first regular quarterly dividend at the new rate of $0.12 per share was paid on the same date.
WRB pays an annual dividend of $0.65, which translates to a yield of 0.58% at the current share price. Its four-year average dividend yield is 1.82%. Moreover, the company's dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 11.3% over the past three years. WRB has raised its dividends for 18 consecutive years.
During the second quarter that ended June 30, 2024, WRB's gross premiums written increased 11.4% year-over-year to $3.72 billion and its total revenues rose 10.6% year-over-year to $3.31 billion. Its operating income grew 34.5% from the year-ago value to $418.11 million.
Furthermore, the company's net income to common stockholders came in at $371.91 million and $0.92 per share, reflecting growths of 4.4% and 5.7% from the prior year's quarter, respectively.
Street expects WRB's revenue for the third quarter (ending September 2024) to increase 10.9% year-over-year to $2.93 billion, while its EPS is expected to grow 5.2% year-over-year to $0.95, respectively. Furthermore, the company surpassed the consensus EPS estimates in all of the trailing four quarters.
WRB's stock has soared 4% over the past six months and 34.8% over the past year to close the last trading session at $55.10. Further, Wall Street analysts expect the stock to reach $59.22 in the upcoming 12 months, indicating a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/wrb/forecast">potential upside of 7.5%</a>.
WRB's bright prospects are reflected in its POWR Ratings. It has an overall rating of B, equating to a Buy in our proprietary rating system.
The stock has an A grade for Momentum and a B for Stability. WRB is ranked #20 among 55 stocks in the B-rated Insurance – Property &amp; Casualty industry.
<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/WRB/">Click here</a> to access WRB's ratings for Quality, Growth, Value, and Sentiment.
Unum Group (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNM/">UNM</a>)
UNM provides financial protection benefit solutions internationally. The company operates through Unum US; Unum International; Colonial Life; and Closed Block segments. It provides group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products.
On July 8, UNM entered into a definitive agreement with Group, a leading insurance services provider, under which Amynta will acquire UNM's Medical Stop Loss business. Post-acquisition, the business will function as a full-service managing general underwriter under Amynta Risk Solutions.
On June 18, UNM launched Unum Broker Connect for Employee Navigator. It is the culmination of a decade-long partnership resulting in a best-in-class integration and service model for brokers.
Broker Connect for Employee Navigator provides efficiency and value for UNM's broker partners in various ways including streamlined implementation, automated plan setup, embedded evidence of insurability (EOI), and seamless data exchange.
UNM's revenue increased 3.9% year-over-year to $3.23 billion during the second quarter that ended June 30, 2024, of which its premium income rose 4.7% year-over-year to $2.63 billion. The company's adjusted operating income came in at $411.40 million and $2.16 per share for the quarter, reflecting growths of 0.6% and 4.8% from the prior year's quarter, respectively.
The company updated its full-year 2024 outlook for after-tax adjusted operating income per share from 7% to 9%, which now has been raised to 10% to 15%.
Street expects UNM's EPS for the third quarter (ending September 2024) to increase 4.4% year-over-year to $2.02 and its revenue for the ongoing quarter is expected to grow 4.5% year-over-year to $3.26 billion. Also, the company has surpassed the consensus revenue and EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters, which is impressive.
UNM's stock has gained 11.2% over the past six months and 4.8% over the past year to close the last trading session at $52.83. Moreover, Wall Street analysts expect the stock to reach $60.25 in the upcoming 12 months, indicating a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/unm/forecast">potential upside of 14.1%</a>.
UNM's POWR Ratings reflect its robust outlook. The stock has an overall rating of B, which equates to a Buy in our proprietary rating system.
The stock has an A grade for Momentum. It also has a B grade for Stability. Within the B-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/accident-supplemental-insurance/">Insurance – Accident &amp; Supplemental</a> industry, UNM has topped among the 8 stocks.
<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNM/">Click here</a> to access additional ratings of UNM for Growth, Value, Sentiment, and Quality.
What To Do Next?
Get your hands on this special report with 3 low priced companies with tremendous upside potential even in today's volatile markets:
<a href="https://report.stocknews.com/free-report/3stocks/?formplacement=artbotad_3s">3 Stocks to DOUBLE This Year &gt;</a>

<hr />
PGR shares were trading at $215.84 per share on Wednesday afternoon, up $1.79 (+0.84%). Year-to-date, PGR has gained 36.32%, versus a 10.39% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Rjkumari Saxena</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rajkumari-Saxena_Image-1.jpeg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Rajkumari started her career as a writer but gradually shifted her focus to financial journalism, leveraging her educational background in Commerce. Fascinated by the interplay of business and economic shifts in equities, she aspires to evolve as an analyst. With a knack for simplifying complex financial concepts, her mission is to empower investors with insights that lead to profitable decisions.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=rajkumari-saxena">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/pgr-wrb-unm-3-insurance-stocks-with-bullish-analyst-price-targets/>3 Insurance Stocks With Bullish Analyst Price Targets</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

3 Insurance Stocks With Bullish Analyst Price Targets

2 High Yielding Recession Proof Dividend Picks For A Massive Income Snowball

Dividend Champion, Contender, And Challenger Highlights: Week Of August 11

Wells Fargo analyst Elyse Greenspan assigned a Buy rating to Unum Group (UNM – Research Report) today and set a price target of $69.00. The company...

Unum Group (UNM) Gets a Buy from Wells Fargo

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
As recessionary fears grip Wall Street, it&rsquo;s a great time to beef up your portfolio with safe haven stocks. That&rsquo;s one takeaway to consider in light of recent activity roiling the stock markets. Investors have watched the narrative shift from the timing of rate cuts to a potential recession gripping the United States over the past week. Economic data is <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-economists-say-investor-fears-about-recession-are-overblown-190225299.html">confusing and seemingly contradictory</a> at best.



Investors have also watched the markets try to make sense of valuations for leading equities, especially the Magnificent Seven, and how to pivot. Those factors and more suggest now is an excellent time to lean defensive for investors.



Should the economy and stock market worsen, a stronger defensive position will provide income dividends to buffer against greater losses. And should the economy and stock market improve most defensive stocks are still reasonable investments overall as they tend to be fundamentally sound.



Investors should not let fear overwhelm them and instead follow the time-tested wisdom of the markets.



<h2>Wendy&rsquo;s (WEN)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/wendys-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="A photo of a Wendy's chicken sandwich and chicken nuggets."><div>Source: Deutschlandreform / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Wendy&rsquo;s (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/wen-stock-quote/">WEN</a>) is a stock worth considering right now for a number of reasons. Let&rsquo;s jump into those reasons straight away without an explanation of its business, as the company is a household name.&nbsp;



Firstly, let&rsquo;s consider competition and why Wendy&rsquo;s could garner more attention soon. As you may have guessed, I&rsquo;m referring to McDonald&rsquo;s (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/mcd-stock-quote/">MCD</a>) and its troubles. Inflation has resulted in McDonald&rsquo;s facing real issues at the moment. Worldwide sales recently fell for the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/30/mcdonalds-same-store-sales-fall-worldwide-for-first-time-since-2020">first time in four years.</a> McDonald&rsquo;s is making serious efforts, but it opens a door for Wendy&rsquo;s and its stock.&nbsp;



Wendy&rsquo;s gave <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/wendys-stock-bolstered-as-sales-guidance-offsets-q2-revenue-miss-9cff2028">strong sales guidance</a> for the upcoming quarter despite a revenue miss in Q2. That could be enough to drive investors toward the burger chain and its shares.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/06/markets-are-counting-on-the-fed-to-head-off-recession-with-sizeable-interest-rate-cuts.html">Rate cuts are coming,</a> and they should help the company, which has dealt with <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/wen/financials/">rising interest payments</a> over the few past years.&nbsp;



Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Wendy&rsquo;s stock includes a dividend yielding 5.84%. The company has grown that dividend by <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/WEN/dividend">nearly 20%</a> over the past five years, so management is focused on rewarding shareholders.&nbsp;



<h2>Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/kdp1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) sign on the front of a building"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/kdp-stock-quote/">KDP</a>) stock may just be the new Coca-Cola (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ko-stock-quote/">KO</a>).&nbsp;



Investors almost instinctively flock to Coca-Cola as a well-known defensive juggernaut when market troubles arise. The company long ago became an earnings machine. It has remained so and continues to reward shareholders through thick and thin.&nbsp;



Whenever I write about Coca-Cola, I refer to its excellent <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/term/gross-margin/KO">gross margins</a> as proof that the company enjoys a strong economic mode through pricing premiums. Keurig Dr Pepper is not far behind Coca-Cola in that regard. Its <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/term/gross-margin/KDP">gross margins are nearly as high,</a> suggesting similar durable competitive advantages.



KDP <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/term/pettm/KDP">shares are priced correctly</a> at the moment. That should reassure investors who have balked at frothy valuations led by the share price growth in leading tech firms.



Keurig Dr Pepper doesn&rsquo;t have the same track record as Coca-Cola when it comes to dividends. However, what KDP shares lack there, they make up for in growth potential. The dividend itself adds a 2.5% buffer against current market volatility.&nbsp;



<h2>Invitation Homes (INVH)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/reits1600c-300x169.jpg" alt="tiny house figures atop letter blocks spelling out REIT, representing reits to buy. stock predictions. best REITs"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>Invitation Homes (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/invh-stock-quote/">INVH</a>) is a single-family residential REIT with a stock worth considering for investors.&nbsp;



It&rsquo;s a safe haven stock for several reasons. It provides a dividend yielding 3.14%. Again, that&rsquo;s a strong buffer against current turmoil that has seen the markets lose several percentage points on multiple days.&nbsp;



That&rsquo;s far from the only reason to consider INVH shares. Revenues have grown steadily in the 8% to 10% range over the past few years. Net income growth, too, has been strong over that time frame.&nbsp;



However, I&rsquo;d point potential investors to the effects of upcoming rate cuts as a major factor for potential investors. The company&rsquo;s interest expenses have been rising steadily and should fall as rate cuts are implemented. That isn&rsquo;t to say INVH is in any trouble currently. Its dividend looks quite safe based on <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/invh/financials/">FFO payout ratios below 70%.</a>&nbsp;



The firm&rsquo;s fundamentals &mdash; already sound &mdash; should continue to improve as the positive effects of rate cuts hit.&nbsp;



<h2>Rexford Industrial Realty (REXR)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="165" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/california-300x165.jpg" alt=""><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>Let&rsquo;s look at another REIT stock in a different sector, Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/rexr-stock-quote/">REXR</a>). This company develops infill industrial properties in Southern California.&nbsp;



The term infill industrial properties refers to demolishing older industrial properties and replacing them with new facilities. The company believes it has cornered the world&rsquo;s fourth-largest industrial market, which it qualifies as having the highest demand with the lowest supply nationwide.&nbsp;



The company&rsquo;s portfolio spans 371 properties, covering approximately 45 million square feet of rentable space.



With any sort of REIT investment, investors should immediately look at the dividend and its suitability. Yield and risk are primary factors any investor must consider. Rexford Industrial Realty&rsquo;s dividend yields 3.4%. As a REIT, investors have to look at FFO payout ratios to determine whether to expect continuous payments. Rexford Industrial Realty boasts an FFO payout ratio In the 55% to 70% range, which is considered healthy.



The company is <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/rexr/financials/">undoubtedly booming from a top and bottom-line</a> perspective and deserves investor attention, especially in these volatile times.



<h2>Coca-Cola FEMSA (KOF)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/coca-cola-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Can of Coca-Cola, a carbonated soft drink manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA"><div>Source: monticello / Shutterstock</div></div>Coca-Cola FEMSA (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/kof-stock-quote/">KOF</a>) is the franchise bottler for Coca-Cola serving Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. The stock offers a few advantages over its parent, including a <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/kof/dividend/">dividend yielding</a> 3.81% currently. That&rsquo;s a full 1% higher than the dividend available through KO shares.&nbsp;



Coca-Cola FEMSA last reduced its dividend in <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/KOF/dividend">2018.</a> Coca-Cola hasn&rsquo;t reduced its dividend since <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/KO/dividend">1963.</a> KO is clearly less risky, but for that relative safety, investors give up 1% in returns. It&rsquo;s something to think about.&nbsp;



Regardless, Coca-Cola FEMSA is growing healthily. Revenues grew by 12.7% during the first 6 months of 2024. Meanwhile, <a href="https://coca-colafemsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Coca-Cola-FEMSA-Results-2Q24.pdf">net income increased by nearly 20%</a> over the same time frame.



To be honest, both Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola FEMSA make strong investments as recession fears grip Wall Street. One key differentiating factor, dividend yield aside, is that Coca-Cola FEMSA has much more <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/kof/forecast/">upside potential</a> at the moment.



<h2>Unum Group (UNM)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/unm-stock-1-300x169.jpg" alt="A photo of the Unum logo though a looking glass"><div>Source: Casimiro PT / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Unum Group (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/unm-stock-quote/">UNM</a>) is a large insurance firm currently trading near target price lows. Let&rsquo;s start with some quick arithmetic that suggests it&rsquo;s a good investment.&nbsp;



Unum Group&rsquo;s consensus <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/unm/forecast/">target price</a> is $61.50 and trades for $52.80 as I write this. The dividend pays $1.68 annually. That equates to more than a 19% upside in the base case scenario. Remember, UNM shares are steady overall and have continued to grow consistently following the initial onset of the pandemic.&nbsp;



Although Unum Group&rsquo;s earnings have shrunk over the past 12 months, the stock&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.gurufocus.com/term/pettm/UNM">P/E ratio</a> is still attractive. The company has undertaken a large share <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unum-group-reports-second-quarter-2024-results-302210286.html">buyback program</a> and is distributing earnings to shareholders.&nbsp;



Generally speaking, Insurance firms are safe haven stocks in times of market volatility. They tend to not move as violently as other stocks and have lower betas. They usually preserve capital better for that reason. Additionally, Unum and others like it provide dividend income, in its case 3.13%, further buffering against potential downturns.



<h2>Richmond Mutual Bancorporation (RMBI)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bank-stocks-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="bank customer sliding money to teller at bank desk. promising bank stocks"><div>Source: Syda Productions / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Richmond Mutual Bancorporation (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/rmbi-stock-quote/">RMBI</a>) is a regional bank with a stock income investors will like.&nbsp;



That stock includes a dividend yielding 4.57% presently. The dividend has a healthy payout ratio below 0.7 and was last reduced in 2020. It appears safe overall.



Richmond Mutual Bancorporation is similar to most banks in terms of leverage. The company holds roughly $10 of liabilities for every $1 of shareholder equity. Banks tend to be highly leveraged and borrow tremendous amounts of money, which is then loaned back out. Banks make money on the spread between the borrowing rate and lending rate. Anyway, Richmond Mutual Bancorporation is relatively average in that regard. It isn&rsquo;t over-leveraged.



Like all other banks, RMBI should do well soon due to expected rate cuts. Those cuts should allow the company to improve its spread while lowering borrowing costs and overall risk. All of those factors together make RMBI shares ones to consider.



On the date of publication, Alex Sirois did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/"> Publishing Guidelines.</a>



On the date of publication, the responsible editor did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.
<div>Alex Sirois is a freelance contributor to InvestorPlace whose personal stock investing style is focused on long-term, buy-and-hold, wealth-building stock picks. Having worked in several industries from e-commerce to translation to education and utilizing his MBA from George Washington University, he brings a diverse set of skills through which he filters his writing.</div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/08/7-safe-haven-stocks-to-buy-as-recession-fears-grip-wall-street/">7 Safe Haven Stocks to Buy as Recession Fears Grip Wall Street</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.

7 Safe Haven Stocks to Buy as Recession Fears Grip Wall Street

Low-volatility stocks are attractive now because they provide stability and reduce risk during market downturns, delivering steady returns amidst economic uncertainty and fluctuating interest rates. Hence, let's examine the fundamentals of low volatility stocks such as Merck & Co. (MRK), George Weston (WNGRF), and Unum (UNM), which are must-buys for a smoother ride as Fed's rate decision awaits to rock markets this week. Keep reading... In September's volatile market, low-volatility stocks are good investments because they reduce risk while still providing competitive returns. Therefore, income investors might consider buying low volatility stocks such as Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRK/">MRK</a>), George Weston Limited (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/WNGRF/">WNGRF</a>), and Unum Group (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNM/">UNM</a>). These stocks tend to perform better in downturns, offering a more stable and smoother investment experience.
Low volatility stocks offer a smoother investment ride by reducing downside risks during market downturns. They help protect your portfolio from large losses while still delivering long-term competitive returns. This strategy can be especially useful in uncertain economic times, as it minimizes extreme swings and keeps your investments more stable over time.
The U.S. economy shows easing inflation but some stickiness in core prices, especially in housing and services. Moreover, with market expectations for interest rate cuts swing between a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-consumer-prices-rise-moderately-august-2024-09-11/">quarter-point and half-point cut</a>, low volatility stocks may offer stability as the Federal Reserve cautiously manages rate reductions. This makes it a favorable time for risk-averse investors seeking steady returns.
Moreover, with <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/13/why-stocks-drop-in-september-and-many-investors-shouldnt-care.html">stocks trading lower</a>, U.S. treasury prices declining, and the dollar rising, low-volatility stocks may provide a safeguard against economic unpredictability. Now, let's analyze the fundamental aspects of the three abovementioned low volatility stocks.
Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRK/">MRK</a>)
MRK operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments: Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The company's offerings include global healthcare solutions in human health pharmaceuticals (oncology, immunology) and preventive vaccines. The Animal Health segment provides veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and digital health products.
On September 3, 2024, MRK announced that the European Commission approved KEYTRUDA with Padcev for first-line treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. This approval introduces a new potential standard of care in the European Union.
On August 26, 2024, MRK announced that the European Commission approved WINREVAIR (sotatercept) for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults. This is the first activin signaling inhibitor therapy for PAH approved in Europe.
In terms of the trailing-12-month <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ebit.asp">EBIT</a> margin, MRK's 31.64% is considerably higher than the 2.73% industry average. Likewise, its 18.88% trailing-12-month levered FCF margin is significantly higher than the 1.48% industry average. Furthermore, its 75.79% trailing-12-month gross profit margin is 31.1% higher than the 57.83% industry average.
During the second quarter that ended June 30, 2024, MRK's total sales rose 7.2% year-over-year to $16.11 billion. MRK's KEYTRUDA sales increased 15.9% year-over-year to $7.27 billion. Similarly, the company's non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS were $5.81 billion and $2.28, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $5.22 billion and $2.06 per share in the same quarter of the prior year, respectively.
Street expects MRK's revenue for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, to increase 3.6% year-over-year to $16.53 billion. Its EPS for the quarter ending December 31, 2024, is expected to grow considerably year-over-year to $1.91. It surpassed the Street EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters. Over the past nine months, the stock gained 9.7% to close the last trading session at $117.54. Its 5-year monthly beta is 0.40.
MRK's <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a> reflect strong prospects. It has an overall rating of A, translating to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings assess stocks by 118 different factors, each with its own weighting.
It is ranked #5 out of 161 stocks in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/pharmaceuticals/">Medical – Pharmaceuticals</a> industry. It has an A grade for Quality and a B for Value, Stability, and Sentiment. <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRK/">Click here</a> to see MRK's Growth and Momentum ratings.
George Weston Limited (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/WNGRF/">WNGRF</a>)
Based in Toronto, Canada, WNGRF provides food and drug retailing and financial services in Canada. The company operates through two segments: Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Choice Properties).
In terms of the trailing-12-month Return on Common Equity, WNGRF's 20.50% is 92.2% higher than the 10.67% industry average. Its 7.99% trailing-12-month Return on Total Capital is 15.1% higher than the 6.94% industry average. Also, the stock's 1.24x trailing-12-month asset turnover ratio is 45.2% higher than the 0.85x industry average.
WNGRF's revenue for the second quarter that ended June 15, 2024, increased 1.5% year-over-year to $14.09 billion. Its adjusted EBITDA stood at $1.71 billion, up 4.2% year-over-year.
For the same quarter, the company's adjusted net earnings available to common shareholders of the company and adjusted net earnings per common share grew 4.5% and 9.3% over the prior-year quarter to $394 million and $2.93, respectively.
For the quarter ending September 30, 2024, WNGRF's revenue is expected to increase 1.6% year-over-year to $13.65 billion. Over the past year, WNGRF's stock has gained 50.9% to close the last trading session at $167.41. Its 5-year monthly beta is 0.42.
WNGRF's bright prospects are reflected in its POWR Ratings. It has an overall rating of B, equating to a Buy in our proprietary rating system.
It has an A grade for Stability and a B for Quality. It is ranked #21 in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/grocery-big-box-retailers/">Grocery/Big Box Retailers</a> industry. To access the additional grades of WNGRF for Growth, Value, Momentum, and Sentiment, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/WNGRF/">click here</a>.
Unum Group (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNM/">UNM</a>)
UNM and its subsidiaries provide financial protection benefit solutions primarily internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and the Closed Block segment.
On June 18, 2024, UNM launched Unum Broker Connect for Employee Navigator, improving integration and efficiency for brokers. This service simplifies case setup, automates plan creation, and enables smooth data exchange.
In terms of the trailing-12-month Return on Total Capital, UNM's 8.74% is 26.6% higher than the 6.91% industry average. Its 2.12% trailing-12-month Return on Total Assets is 101.1% higher than the 1.06% industry average. Also, its 13.37% trailing-12-month Return on Common Equity is 29.3% higher than the 10.34% industry average.
UNM's total net revenue for the second quarter ending June 30, 2024, increased 3.9% year-over-year to $3.23 billion. The company's after-tax operating income was $411.40 million, or $2.16 per share, up 1% and 4.9% from the year-ago values, respectively. During the same period, the company's net income stood at $389.50 million, with net income per share at $2.05, up 3.5% year-over-year.
Analysts expect UNM's EPS for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, to increase 5.4% year-over-year to $2.05. Its revenue for the same quarter is expected to increase 4.5% year-over-year to $3.26 billion. It surpassed the consensus EPS estimates in three of the four trailing quarters. UNM's stock has gained 24.5% over the past nine months to close the last trading session at $55.62. Its 5-year monthly beta is 0.75.
UNM's strong fundamentals are reflected in its POWR Ratings. It has an overall rating of B, equating to a Buy in our proprietary rating system.
It is ranked first out of 8 stocks in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/accident-supplemental-insurance/">Insurance - Accident &amp; Supplemental</a> industry. It has an A grade for Momentum and a B for Value and Stability. To see UNM's grades for Growth, Sentiment, and Quality, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNM/">click here</a>.
What To Do Next?
Get your hands on this special report with 3 low priced companies with tremendous upside potential even in today's volatile markets:
<a href="https://report.stocknews.com/free-report/3stocks/?formplacement=artbotad_3s">3 Stocks to DOUBLE This Year &gt;</a>

<hr />
MRK shares were trading at $117.80 per share on Monday afternoon, up $2.71 (+2.35%). Year-to-date, MRK has gained 9.39%, versus a 19.02% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Abhishek Bhuyan</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ABhuyan.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Abhishek embarked on his professional journey as a financial journalist due to his keen interest in discerning the fundamental factors that influence the future performance of financial instruments.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=abhishek-bhuyan">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/mrk-wngrf-unm-3-low-volatility-stocks-to-buy-for-a-smoother-ride/>3 Low Volatility Stocks to Buy for a Smoother Ride</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

3 Low Volatility Stocks to Buy for a Smoother Ride

Unum: Core Business Strength Comes Into Greater Focus

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Offerings

Press Releases

Unum Group Completes Senior Note Offering

Unum Group launches Unum Broker Connect for Employee Navigator

Unum Group to release second quarter 2024 results and host conference call

Unum Group Announces Sale of Medical Stop Loss Operations to Amynta Group

Unum Group Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.420 Per Share of its Common Stock

Unum Group's board of directors authorizes $1 billion share repurchase program

Unum Group Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

Unum Group to present at the 2024 KBW Insurance Conference

AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Unum Group and Its Core U.S. Life/Health Subsidiaries

Unum Expands CalcFocus Partnership with Launch of New Group Whole Life on Achieve Platform

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