On Monday, RBC Capital Markets adjusted its outlook on CNO Financial Group (NYSE:CNO), increasing the price target to $40 from the previous $38 while maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm recognized CNO Financial's recent performance, highlighting the Health segment as a significant contributor to the company's success in the last quarter.
The analyst pointed out that net investment income continues to support the company's financials, with new money yields being higher and variable investment income (VII) performing better than many of CNO's peers in the life insurance sector for the third quarter.
CNO Financial has revised its full-year 2024 earnings per share (EPS) guidance upwards, which is attributed to the profitability of its core segments and ongoing efforts to trim expenses. The company's active share buyback strategy throughout 2024 was also underscored as a noteworthy action, showcasing CNO's commitment to returning value to shareholders.
The analyst further noted that CNO Financial achieved an operating return on equity (ROE) of 10.5% in the third quarter, reaching double digits and signaling a robust financial position. This performance metric is often used to assess the profitability of a company in relation to its equity.
While the price target has been raised, RBC Capital Markets sees no reason to alter its positive Outperform rating on CNO Financial Group. The company's upwardly revised EPS guidance and strong quarter results underpin the firm's favorable outlook on the insurer's stock.
In other recent news, CNO Financial Group has reported a robust performance for the third quarter of 2024. The company witnessed a significant year-over-year earnings growth, with operating earnings per diluted share rising by 26% to $1.11. This marked the company's ninth consecutive quarter of sales growth. The total new annualized premium (NAP) across the enterprise saw an increase of 1%, with a notable 7% rise when excluding direct-to-consumer sales.
In light of these recent developments, CNO Financial has revised its full-year earnings and cash flow guidance upwards. The company also reported a 6% increase in book value per diluted share to $35.84 and returned $107 million to shareholders. Despite some challenges in fixed indexed annuity margins, the company recorded a record growth in annuity collected premiums and strong demand for long-term care and Medicare Supplement products.
Analysts from various firms have noted these positive trends, with some highlighting the company's strong net investment income and a $27.3 million boost in operating income from the annual actuarial review.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro aligns with RBC Capital Markets' positive outlook on CNO Financial Group. The company's market cap stands at $3.73 billion, with a P/E ratio of 14.16, suggesting a reasonable valuation relative to its earnings. CNO's revenue growth of 14.5% over the last twelve months and a strong 19.22% quarterly revenue growth in Q3 2024 underscore the company's robust financial performance mentioned in the article.
InvestingPro Tips highlight CNO's commitment to shareholder value, noting that management has been aggressively buying back shares, which corroborates the article's mention of the company's active share buyback strategy. Additionally, CNO has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years, demonstrating a consistent return of value to shareholders beyond just share repurchases.
The company's strong financial position is further evidenced by InvestingPro data showing that liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, supporting the analyst's observation of CNO's robust financial standing. With a one-year price total return of 49.75% and trading near its 52-week high, CNO's stock performance reflects the market's positive sentiment, aligning with RBC's increased price target.
For investors seeking more comprehensive insights, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for CNO Financial Group, providing a deeper analysis of the company's prospects and potential risks.
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