Kemper downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Citizens

Citizens analyst Matthew Carletti downgraded Kemper (KMPR) to Market Perform from Outperform without a price target post the Q4 report. The results “disappointed and create an uncertain near-term path forward,” the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm believes Kemper needs several quarters before seeing improved sales and earnings. Investors are “frustrated at the continuation of the two steps forward, one step back cadence that has been the KMPR,” contends Citizens.