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Unum Group (UNM)
NYSE:UNM

Unum Group (UNM) AI Stock Analysis

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UNM

Unum Group

(NYSE:UNM)

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Neutral 65 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:65Neutral
Price Target:
$80.00
▲(10.31% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:03/07/26
UNM scores mid-range primarily due to 2025 earnings and cash-flow weakening despite a resilient balance sheet, partially offset by a cautiously positive 2026 outlook and strong capital/return-of-capital plans. Technicals are not providing strong confirmation, and valuation is reasonable but not compelling enough to outweigh the recent profitability volatility.
Positive Factors
Very strong regulatory capital and holding-company liquidity
Unum’s very strong RBC (~440%) and multi-billion dollar holdco cash provide durable financial flexibility to absorb underwriting volatility, fund de‑risking, and sustain buybacks/dividends. High capital and liquidity materially reduce solvency and refinancing risk over the medium term.
High returns on core operations and targeted ROE improvement
Sustained mid‑teens to mid‑20s ROE on core operations indicates a structurally profitable franchise and disciplined underwriting. High core ROE supports internal capital generation and shareholder returns, improving resilience versus peers and enabling reinvestment in products and distribution.
Durable distribution, high persistency, and rising digital engagement
Strong broker/employer distribution, high ~90% persistency and digital adoption underpin recurring premium streams and lower lapse-driven volatility. Better retention from digital channels enhances lifetime customer value and reduces acquisition expense, supporting stable top-line and margins long-term.
Negative Factors
2025 profitability and cash‑flow reset
A marked drop in net margin and a large fall in operating and free cash flow in 2025 reduce earnings predictability and constrain capital deployment if sustained. This volatility highlights sensitivity to claims and investment income and increases the risk that future FCF targets may be missed.
Elevated and volatile group disability benefit ratios
Group disability is a core, high‑margin line; persistent upward pressure and quarter‑to‑quarter swings in benefit ratios materially amplify underwriting volatility. Higher or unpredictable disability costs directly compress margins and can erode ROE even with strong capital cushions.
Remaining Closed‑Block/LTC legacy exposure despite de‑risking
Although reinsurance reduced LTC reserves, the block still generates volatile results and now sits below the line, which can mask operational impact and leave residual reserve and morbidity risk. Legacy LTC runoff and disclosure changes maintain a structural earnings uncertainty over the medium term.

Unum Group (UNM) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Unum Group Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUnum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segments. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products. It also provides group pension, individual life and corporate-owned life insurance, reinsurance pools and management operations, and other products. The company sells its products primarily to employers for the benefit of employees. Unum Group sells its products through field sales personnel, independent brokers, consultants, and independent contractor agency sales force. The company was founded in 1848 and is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
How the Company Makes MoneyUnum Group generates revenue primarily through the underwriting of insurance products. The company earns money by collecting premiums from policyholders in exchange for coverage. Key revenue streams include group long-term disability insurance, group life insurance, and supplemental health products. Unum also invests the premiums collected in various financial instruments, generating investment income. Additionally, the company benefits from partnerships with employers, providing tailored employee benefits packages that enhance employee retention and satisfaction. Factors such as the growth of the workforce, increasing awareness of the importance of disability and life insurance, and strong relationships with brokers and employers contribute to Unum's earnings.

Unum Group Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 05, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 28, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a mix of pronounced strengths — solid top-line growth across core operations (notably Colonial and International), strong capital metrics (RBC ~440%, $3.2B holdco cash), successful LTC de-risking actions and continued digital adoption — alongside near-term profitability pressure driven by higher-than-expected benefits experience and quarter-to-quarter volatility (notably in group disability and some international claims). Management provided a constructive 2026 outlook (4%–7% premium growth, 8%–12% EPS growth on a redefined basis), committed to shareholder returns, and reiterated capital flexibility. Given strong capitalization, clear progress on legacy risks, and an optimistic but realistic outlook balanced against the earnings miss and margin variability, the overall tone is cautiously positive.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Top-line Growth in Core Operations
Core operations premium grew ~4.5% on a constant-currency basis excluding transaction impacts; reported core premium +3.7% for full year and +2.9% in Q4. Core operations sales finished the year up 1.1% and are expected to grow 4%–7% in 2026.
Strong Premium Momentum in Colonial and International
Colonial Life sales increased 10% in Q4 and 5.3% for the full year; Colonial full-year premium +3.1% to $1.8B. International premiums grew 11.5% in Q4 and 10% for the full year to $1.1B.
High Returns on Equity from Core Operations
Adjusted ROE for core operations was approximately 20% for both the quarter and full year; management expects Unum US ROE in mid-20s and group disability ROE >25% in 2026.
Capital Strength and Shareholder Returns
Year-end statutory capital: risk-based capital ~440% and $3.2B holding company cash. Company increased dividend by 10% in 2025, repurchased ~$1B of stock (returned roughly what was generated), and plans ~$1B repurchases and a 10% dividend increase for 2026.
Closed-Block De-risking Progress
Completed reinsurance that ceded roughly 20% of long-term care (LTC) reserves and an internal reinsurance action, reducing LTC reserves by more than $4B in 2025; removed morbidity and mortality improvement assumptions and discontinued new employee coverage on existing group LTC cases (block in full runoff).
Digital Adoption and Persistency
Over one-third of core premium associated with customers using digital capabilities (HR Connect, Broker Connect, MyUnum, etc.). Persistency remains high with U.S. Group persistency of 90.2%, and digital adoption correlates with stronger engagement and 2%–4% higher persistency for HR Connect customers.
Positive 2026 Outlook with EPS Growth Guidance
Management expects adjusted after-tax operating EPS of $8.60–$8.90 for 2026 (8%–12% growth versus redefined 2025 base of $7.93), company-wide premium growth of 4%–7%, and free cash flow generation of $1.2B–$1.4B.
Alternative Portfolio Performance Improvement
Alternative investment portfolio largely backing LTC generated $25.9M in Q4 income, translating to an annualized Q4 return of 7.6% (full-year yield 6.4%), showing improving momentum versus earlier 2025 levels.
Negative Updates
Earnings and Statutory Results Below Expectations
Full-year adjusted EPS was $8.13 (below management expectations), full-year after-tax adjusted operating earnings $1.4B (or $8.13/share) and full-year statutory earnings $1.1B, which missed the prior $1.3B–$1.6B expectation.
Elevated Benefit Ratios and Volatility in Group Disability
Unum US group disability benefit ratio was 64.2% in Q4 and 62.4% for the full year (normalizing from historically low 59% in 2024). Group disability adjusted operating income declined 22.8% year-over-year to $479.8M for the full year; Q4 AOI down vs prior year.
Segment Earnings Pressure and Declines
Unum US before-tax adjusted operating income in Q4 decreased 13.1% YoY and full-year AOI decreased 11.6%. Unum International underlying earnings declined 11.7% in Q4 ($33.2M) and 3.5% for the full year ($152.3M) due to unfavorable UK group disability claims; Colonial AOI down 7.2% in Q4 and 0.7% for the year.
Supplemental & Voluntary Earnings Weakness
Adjusted operating income for supplemental & voluntary lines declined 8.2% in Q4 to $95.5M and was flat for the full year at $472.7M; Q4 results were impacted by higher benefits experience across product lines.
Corporate Segment Costs Elevated
Corporate produced a loss of $51.1M in Q4 and a full-year loss of $171.6M (improved vs $191.2M loss in 2024) driven by elevated staffing and IT costs.
Closed-Block Volatility and Ongoing Legacy Exposure
Despite derisking actions, Closed Block produced modest adjusted operating income ($21.1M in Q4, $63.5M FY) and management changed reporting to move Closed Block earnings below the line starting 2026, underscoring remaining legacy volatility; LTC net premium ratio remained high at 97.5% in Q4.
Investment Yield Below Long-Term Target
Alternative portfolio Q4 annualized return of 7.6% improved but remains below the stated long-term expectation of 8%–10% (full-year yield 6.4%), indicating investment income is still recovering.
Specific Drivers of Elevated Losses in Q4
Q4 group disability was driven higher by lower average size of recoveries (~5% below expectations) and unusually low claimant mortality counts (about 10% lower than expected) — both identified as contributors to quarter-to-quarter benefit ratio volatility.
Company Guidance
Unum guided to a solid 2026 outlook: core premium growth of 4%–7% (Unum US 4%–6%) with 2025 core premium up ~3.7% (≈4.5% adjusted) and core operations premium/CAGR to ~$10B, adjusted after‑tax operating EPS of $8.60–$8.90 (≈8%–12% growth off a redefined 2025 base of $7.93; reported 2025 adjusted EPS $8.13), continued strong returns (core ROE ~20% in 2025; group disability ROE >25% at a 62%–64% benefit ratio target for 2026 and not expected >65%), U.S. Group persistency ~90.2%, Colonial premium growth ~2.2%–4% with a 48%–50% benefit ratio and high‑teens ROE (Colonial sales +10% Q4, +5.3% FY), International top‑line momentum after 10% FY growth with a 2026 benefit ratio target of 70%–72%, supplemental/voluntary quarterly earnings ~$120M–$130M with a 48%–50% benefit ratio, a company expense ratio target ~22%, corporate losses ~$50M/quarter, capital generation $1.4B–$1.6B (statutory $1.2B–$1.4B) and free cash flow $1.2B–$1.4B, ~$1B share repurchase plan plus a 10% dividend increase (~$300M) (deploying ~100% of FCF), and year‑end capital targets of 400%–425% RBC, $2.0B–$2.5B holdco liquidity and <25% leverage (company exited 2025 with 440% RBC and $3.2B holdco cash); Closed Block will be excluded from adjusted operating results beginning Q1 2026, with ~$2.2B of protection, >$4B of LTC reserve reductions completed, Q4 LTC net premium ratio ~97.5%, and alternative portfolio Q4 annualized yield 7.6% (FY 6.4%; long‑term target 8%–10%).

Unum Group Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Balance sheet strength is solid (moderate leverage and sizable equity), but 2025 showed a sharp profitability reset (net margin down to 5.8% and net income down materially) alongside a notable step-down in operating cash flow and free cash flow versus 2024—highlighting earnings and cash-generation volatility.
Income Statement
62
Positive
Revenue has been broadly stable over the last several years (low-single-digit growth most years), but 2025 showed a slight decline (-1.7%) and a sharp profitability pullback. Net margin fell from 13.9% (2024) to 5.8% (2025) and net income dropped from $1.78B to $0.74B, signaling weaker underwriting/claims experience or higher expenses. Positively, 2020–2024 showed generally improving profitability versus earlier years, but the 2025 reset raises earnings volatility concerns.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
Leverage looks contained for the period shown, with debt-to-equity staying in a fairly tight band (~0.31–0.39) and 2025 at 0.37. Equity remains sizable ($10.19B in 2025) relative to debt ($3.77B), supporting balance-sheet resilience. The main watch-out is the variability in returns on equity (from ~7% in 2020/2025 to ~16% in 2022/2024), which suggests profitability can swing even if leverage is stable.
Cash Flow
56
Neutral
Cash generation was strong and well-aligned with earnings through 2024 (free cash flow ran at ~89%–93% of net income in 2022–2024, with operating cash flow comfortably above net income). In 2025, cash flow weakened materially: operating cash flow fell to $0.69B (from $1.51B) and free cash flow declined to $0.56B (from $1.39B), with free cash flow down ~19% year over year. While free cash flow still covered net income in 2025 (~81%), the step-down in cash generation is a key near-term risk.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue13.05B12.79B12.31B11.88B11.84B
Gross Profit4.99B4.74B4.03B3.93B3.32B
EBITDA1.27B2.57B1.94B2.05B1.57B
Net Income738.50M1.78B1.28B1.41B981.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets64.09B62.35B63.61B61.53B71.23B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments158.20M162.80M146.00M119.20M75.00M
Total Debt3.90B3.86B3.54B3.43B3.58B
Total Liabilities52.98B51.39B53.96B52.79B59.81B
Stockholders Equity11.12B10.96B9.65B8.73B11.42B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow555.40M1.39B1.07B1.32B1.28B
Operating Cash Flow687.70M1.51B1.20B1.42B1.39B
Investing Cash Flow548.90M-344.40M-725.90M-955.90M-1.34B
Financing Cash Flow-1.24B-1.15B-450.10M-418.60M-168.90M

Unum Group Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price72.52
Price Trends
50DMA
74.37
Negative
100DMA
75.20
Negative
200DMA
75.11
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.17
Negative
RSI
46.66
Neutral
STOCH
51.18
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UNM, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 72.52 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 72.76, below the 50-day MA of 74.37, and below the 200-day MA of 75.11, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.17 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 46.66 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 51.18 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for UNM.

Unum Group Risk Analysis

Unum Group disclosed 30 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Unum Group reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Unum Group Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$10.76B9.7420.64%0.74%3.73%17.47%
74
Outperform
$7.77B10.4832.29%1.59%5.63%67.39%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
65
Neutral
$11.88B18.106.63%2.22%1.80%-44.44%
64
Neutral
$3.20B15.255.75%2.91%-4.58%
63
Neutral
$6.43B6.9112.03%3.93%35.76%636.97%
53
Neutral
$7.28B276.830.26%2.98%24.94%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UNM
Unum Group
72.52
-8.91
-10.94%
LNC
Lincoln National
33.81
-1.77
-4.97%
PRI
Primerica
245.55
-41.75
-14.53%
GL
Globe Life
136.80
8.07
6.27%
JXN
Jackson Financial Incorporation
103.05
17.64
20.65%
FG
F&G Annuities & Life Inc
23.58
-10.02
-29.83%

Unum Group Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Unum Group Updates Bylaws to Modernize Corporate Governance
Positive
Mar 6, 2026

On March 4, 2026, Unum Group’s board approved a wide-ranging update of its bylaws, including modernized terminology such as replacing “Chairman” with “Chair” and clarifying that remote shareholder participation counts as in-person for voting purposes. The company also refined how votes are counted by limiting the denominator to shares present and entitled to vote on a specific matter, and added precise definitions for “business day” and “close of business.”

The revisions strengthen the board’s ability to manage shareholder proposals and director nominations by allowing pre-meeting determinations that proposals were not properly brought and by clarifying that supplemental information does not automatically cure deficient notices. Unum further streamlined governance by adjusting rules on director nominations, indemnification, uncertificated shares, obsolete technology references, and interested director transactions, signaling an effort to align its corporate governance framework with current practice and regulatory expectations.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNM) stock is a Hold with a $80.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Unum Group stock, see the UNM Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Unum Group Reports Q4 2025 Results and 2026 Outlook
Positive
Feb 5, 2026

On February 5, 2026, Unum Group reported fourth-quarter 2025 net income of $174.1 million, down from $348.7 million a year earlier, while after-tax adjusted operating income reached $322.3 million, reflecting higher benefits expenses and several one-time items, including pension-related settlement losses and reinsurance amortization. For full-year 2025, the company delivered 3.7% core operations premium growth on a constant-currency basis and a 20.5% adjusted operating return on equity, supported by a strong balance sheet with $2.3 billion in holding company liquidity and a risk-based capital ratio of about 440%, enabling $1.3 billion in capital returns to shareholders and book value per share growth. Segment results were mixed, with Unum US adjusted operating income falling 13.1% as group disability earnings were pressured by higher benefit ratios and lower investment income, while group life and AD&D posted higher operating income on premium growth and improved claims experience, underscoring both the earnings sensitivity to claims trends and the resilience of the broader franchise. The company also published a 2026 outlook slide deck alongside these results and indicated that positive business trends are expected to continue, guiding to 4–7% core premium growth and higher adjusted operating earnings per share in 2026, signaling confidence in ongoing growth and value creation despite recent claims cost headwinds.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNM) stock is a Hold with a $87.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Unum Group stock, see the UNM Stock Forecast page.

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: Mar 07, 2026