Cautious Optimism: Lincoln National’s Strategic Partnership with Bain Amid Volatile Market Conditions

Analyst Thomas Gallagher of Evercore ISI maintained a Hold rating on Lincoln National (LNC – Research Report), with a price target of $44.00.

Thomas Gallagher has given his Hold rating due to a combination of factors surrounding Lincoln National’s recent strategic developments. The announcement of a partnership with Bain, where Bain acquires a 9.9% stake in Lincoln National at a premium price, is seen as a positive move. This partnership is expected to provide Lincoln National with leverage reduction and growth capital, which could accelerate its spread business.
Despite the positive aspects of this deal, the Hold rating reflects a cautious stance due to the current volatile market conditions. The equity issuance will aid in deleveraging and growth, but the market’s unpredictability necessitates a reserved outlook. Additionally, while the partnership with Bain offers potential for risk-adjusted growth, the overall market environment and the need for further risk transfer in life insurance exposure suggest a balanced approach is prudent.

In another report released today, KBW also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a $38.00 price target.