Zacks Research Decreases Earnings Estimates for Unum Group

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research lowered their FY2025 EPS estimates for shares of Unum Group in a report issued on Wednesday, January 28th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the financial services provider will earn $8.30 per share for the year, down from their previous estimate of $8.34. The consensus estimate for Unum Group’s current full-year earnings is $9.14 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Unum Group’s Q4 2025 earnings at $2.10 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $2.17 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $2.27 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.29 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.35 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $9.08 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.48 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.40 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $2.67 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $9.99 EPS.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.15 by ($0.06). Unum Group had a return on equity of 13.09% and a net margin of 6.99%.The firm had revenue of $3.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.31 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.13 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on UNM. Morgan Stanley set a $85.00 price objective on Unum Group in a report on Monday, December 15th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “market perform” rating on shares of Unum Group in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Unum Group from $98.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $115.00 price objective on shares of Unum Group in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $97.08.

Unum Group Stock Performance

UNM opened at $76.30 on Thursday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $77.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $75.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Unum Group has a 12-month low of $66.81 and a 12-month high of $84.48.

Unum Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be given a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 30th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 35.87%.

Unum Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, December 4th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 8.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Unum Group

In related news, EVP Christopher W. Pyne sold 4,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.04, for a total value of $312,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 51,372 shares in the company, valued at $4,009,070.88. The trade was a 7.22% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Steven Andrew Zabel sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.38, for a total value of $572,850.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 113,807 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,692,578.66. This trade represents a 6.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 12,400 shares of company stock worth $951,160. 0.93% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Diversified Enterprises LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $264,000. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in Unum Group by 10.2% in the fourth quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 11,052 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $841,000 after buying an additional 1,019 shares during the period. Quent Long Short Global Small Cap Fund LP bought a new stake in Unum Group during the fourth quarter valued at $433,000. HB Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Unum Group by 40.7% in the 4th quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,675 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,060,000 after acquiring an additional 3,956 shares in the last quarter. Finally, M&T Bank Corp lifted its stake in shares of Unum Group by 24.9% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 12,196 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $945,000 after purchasing an additional 2,429 shares during the period. 86.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Unum Group Company Profile

Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) is a leading provider of employee benefits in the United States and selected international markets, specializing in disability, life, accident and critical illness insurance. Through both fully insured and self-funded arrangements, the company offers group coverage designed to protect income and mitigate financial hardship for employees and their families. Its portfolio includes short-term and long-term disability plans, group life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) policies, as well as critical illness and hospital indemnity products.

In addition to its core product lines, Unum Group markets voluntary benefits under its Colonial Life brand, allowing employees to purchase supplemental insurance such as accident, cancer, and dental coverage directly through payroll deductions.