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CNA Financial Corp (CNA)
:CNA
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CNA Financial (CNA) AI Stock Analysis

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CNA

CNA Financial

(NYSE:CNA)

Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$54.00
â–²(9.49% Upside)
CNA Financial's strong revenue growth and stable financial position are key strengths, supported by a fair valuation and attractive dividend yield. However, technical indicators suggest overbought conditions, which could lead to short-term volatility. The recent corporate event further strengthens the company's financial strategy.
Positive Factors
Premium Growth
Net premium growth of 9.7% in P&C exceeded expectations, with notable outperformance in all segments.
Underwriting Margins
Favorable P&C underwriting margins contributed to the outperformance compared to projections.
Negative Factors
Core Loss Ratios
The core loss ratios remain high, indicating potential challenges in managing losses effectively.
Reserve Development
The adverse development in the Commercial segment, with a reserve development of $53mn, compares unfavorably to estimates and raises concerns about elevated bodily injury loss cost trends in commercial auto.
Warranty Claims
Higher frequency of warranty claims in the Specialty segment led to adverse development of $10mn, which is worse than expected and linked to vehicle owners keeping their vehicles longer post-pandemic.

CNA Financial (CNA) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

CNA Financial Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCNA Financial Corporation provides commercial property and casualty insurance products primarily in the United States. It operates through Specialty, Commercial, International, Life & Group, and Corporate & Other segments. The company offers professional liability coverages and risk management services to various professional firms, including architects, real estate agents, and accounting and law firms; directors and officers, employment practices, fiduciary, and fidelity coverages to small and mid-size firms, public and privately held firms, and not-for-profit organizations; professional and general liability, as well as associated standard property and casualty coverages for healthcare industry; surety and fidelity bonds; and warranty and alternative risks products. It also provides property insurance products, such as property, marine, boiler, and machinery coverages; casualty insurance products comprising workers' compensation, general and product liability, commercial auto, and umbrella coverages; specialized loss-sensitive insurance programs and total risk management services; and run-off long term care policies. In addition, the company offers long-tail exposures comprising commercial automobile liability, workers' compensation, general and medical professional liability, other professional and management liability, and assumed reinsurance run-off and products liability; and short-tail exposures, such as property, commercial automobile physical damage, marine, and surety. It markets its products through independent agents, brokers, and general underwriters to small, medium, and large businesses; insurance companies; associations; professionals; and other groups in the marine, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, life science, property, financial services, healthcare, and technology industries. The company was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. CNA Financial Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Loews Corporation.
How the Company Makes MoneyCNA generates revenue primarily through the underwriting of insurance policies, where it collects premiums from policyholders in exchange for coverage against specified risks. The company’s key revenue streams include premiums from commercial insurance policies, specialty insurance products, and surety bonds. Additionally, CNA earns income from investment activities, as a significant portion of the premiums collected is invested in various financial instruments, generating investment income. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships with brokers and agents, enhancing its market reach and distribution capabilities. Factors contributing to its earnings include effective risk assessment, strong underwriting practices, and favorable market conditions that allow for competitive pricing of insurance products.

CNA Financial Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 04, 2025
(Q4-2024)
|
% Change Since: 13.46%|
Next Earnings Date:Nov 03, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a strong performance for CNA Financial Corporation with record underwriting and investment income gains, despite some challenges such as increased catastrophe losses and foreign exchange impacts. The positive results in premium growth, core income, and improved expense ratios indicate a favorable outlook.
Q4-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Underlying Underwriting Gain
Achieved a record high underlying underwriting gain of $222 million in the fourth quarter, marking a 10% increase and demonstrating strong underwriting results.
Highest Quarterly Net Written Premium Growth
Net written premium growth reached 10% for the fourth quarter, the highest of the year, indicating strong production performance.
Strong Investment Income Growth
Net investment income increased by 10% for the full year, reaching a record $2,497 million, driven by fixed income and limited partnerships.
Record Core Income for Full Year 2024
CNA achieved record core income of $1,316 million for 2024, a $32 million increase over 2023, reflecting robust underwriting and investment performance.
Improved Expense Ratio
The expense ratio improved to 30.0% in Q4 and 30.2% for the full year, the lowest since 2008, benefiting from higher net earned premiums.
Strong Operating Cash Flow
Operating cash flow for the year increased 13% to a record $2.6 billion, reflecting strong underwriting and investment results.
Increased Dividends
Announced a 5% increase in regular quarterly dividend and a special dividend of $2.00 per share, indicating strong financial health.
Negative Updates
Higher Catastrophe Losses
Catastrophe losses increased to $45 million in Q4, impacting the combined ratio by 1.8 points, primarily due to Hurricane Milton.
Core Loss in Corporate Segment
The Corporate segment reported a core loss of $91 million in Q4, including charges related to asbestos and environmental pollution reserves.
Foreign Exchange Loss in International Segment
The International segment experienced a $15 million foreign currency exchange loss in Q4, compared to a $6 million gain in the prior year quarter.
Decline in Life & Group Segment Performance
The Life & Group segment recorded a core loss of $18 million in Q4 due to unfavorable morbidity experience, down from a $4 million core income in the prior year quarter.
Company Guidance
In the fourth quarter earnings report for fiscal year 2024, CNA Financial Corporation showcased impressive financial performance with several record-setting metrics. The company reported a core income of $342 million, contributing to a full-year core income of $1,316 million, the highest on record, resulting in a core return on equity of 10.5%. Net investment income for the quarter rose by 5% to $644 million, leading to a total of $2,497 million for the year, a 10% increase from 2023. The P&C all-in combined ratio was 93.1% for the quarter, with an underlying combined ratio of 91.4%, marking sixteen consecutive quarters below 92%. Notably, net written premiums grew by 10% in the quarter, driven by strong performances across all segments, including a 12% growth in the Commercial segment. The expense ratio for the quarter was at a historical low of 30.0%, attributed to higher net earned premiums and disciplined expense management. Furthermore, CNA announced a 5% increase in its regular quarterly dividend to $0.46 per share, along with a special dividend of $2.00 per share, reflecting confidence in their financial stability and future prospects.

CNA Financial Financial Statement Overview

Summary
CNA Financial shows solid performance across its financial statements with strong revenue growth and effective cash management. While profitability has faced some pressure, operational efficiency remains robust. The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with manageable leverage levels. Overall, the company demonstrates financial health and resilience, with potential areas for improvement in profitability.
Income Statement
75
Positive
The company has demonstrated solid revenue growth, with a 6.73% increase from 2023 to the TTM period. Gross profit margin remains strong at 94.78% for the TTM, indicating efficient cost control. However, the net profit margin has decreased to 6.76% in the TTM, suggesting pressure on profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are healthy at 9.09% and 25.33%, respectively, showing good operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
CNA Financial's balance sheet shows a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, indicating manageable leverage levels. The equity ratio is 15.81%, suggesting a stable capital structure. However, the return on equity is relatively low at 9.12%, reflecting moderate returns on shareholder investments.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
The company exhibits strong cash flow performance, with a 12.81% growth in free cash flow from 2023 to the TTM period. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 2.68 indicates robust cash generation relative to net income. Additionally, the free cash flow to net income ratio is high at 2.58, underscoring effective cash management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2023Dec 2023Dec 2023
Income Statement
Total Revenue14.49B14.00B13.30B13.30B13.30B13.30B
Gross Profit9.09B4.46B13.13B13.13B13.13B13.13B
EBITDA1.29B1.41B1.72B1.72B1.72B1.72B
Net Income877.00M959.00M1.21B1.21B1.21B1.21B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets68.94B66.49B64.71B64.71B64.71B64.71B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments2.10B2.56B2.51B2.51B2.51B2.51B
Total Debt2.98B2.97B3.03B3.03B3.03B3.03B
Total Liabilities58.27B55.98B54.82B54.82B54.82B54.82B
Stockholders Equity10.66B10.51B9.89B9.89B9.89B9.89B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.44B2.48B2.19B2.19B2.19B2.19B
Operating Cash Flow2.65B2.57B2.29B2.29B2.29B2.29B
Investing Cash Flow-1.58B-1.32B-1.84B-1.84B-1.84B-1.84B
Financing Cash Flow-1.09B-1.12B-577.00M-577.00M-577.00M-577.00M

CNA Financial Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price49.32
Price Trends
50DMA
45.25
Positive
100DMA
46.22
Positive
200DMA
46.11
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.07
Negative
RSI
74.12
Negative
STOCH
94.04
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CNA, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 49.32 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 46.20, above the 50-day MA of 45.25, and above the 200-day MA of 46.11, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.07 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 74.12 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 94.04 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CNA.

CNA Financial Risk Analysis

CNA Financial disclosed 21 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. CNA Financial reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

CNA Financial Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
81
Outperform
$6.18B11.3719.23%2.04%4.47%102.98%
76
Outperform
$6.23B19.4119.49%3.83%10.29%-4.70%
75
Outperform
$4.70B12.6512.19%1.95%12.27%66.53%
73
Outperform
$11.07B14.5617.17%6.86%3.35%-14.16%
72
Outperform
$7.54B9.1515.07%1.80%6.87%43.53%
68
Neutral
$13.12B15.068.54%7.81%6.12%-31.43%
61
Neutral
C$15.80B6.7915.12%5.95%22.12%-7.26%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CNA
CNA Financial
49.32
2.45
5.23%
AFG
American Financial Group
133.06
10.23
8.33%
AXS
Axis Capital
98.96
23.82
31.70%
RLI
RLI
68.40
-5.04
-6.86%
SIGI
Selective Insurance Group
78.11
-10.11
-11.46%
THG
Hanover Insurance
174.10
39.84
29.67%

CNA Financial Corporate Events

Private Placements and Financing
CNA Financial Closes $500 Million Notes Offering
Positive
Aug 12, 2025

On August 12, 2025, CNA Financial successfully closed its offering of $500 million in 5.200% notes due in 2035. This financial move, executed under the company’s shelf registration statement, is expected to impact its financial strategy and stakeholder interests positively.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
CNA Financial Enters $500M Underwriting Agreement
Neutral
Aug 11, 2025

On August 5, 2025, CNA Financial entered into an underwriting agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, Citigroup Global Markets, and J.P. Morgan Securities for the offer and sale of $500 million in 5.200% notes due 2035. The sale is expected to close on August 12, 2025, and is part of CNA Financial’s strategy to leverage its effective shelf registration statement, potentially impacting its financial operations and market positioning.

Executive/Board ChangesLegal Proceedings
CNA Financial Announces Executive Vice President’s Departure
Neutral
Jul 7, 2025

On July 3, 2025, CNA Financial entered into a General Release and Separation Agreement with Susan A. Stone, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, with her separation effective no later than July 31, 2025. The agreement includes a payment of $2,250,000 in installments and additional health and welfare benefits. In return, Ms. Stone agreed to non-interference and non-solicitation clauses for 12 months, and to cooperate with ongoing litigation and other matters.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 22, 2025