Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Releases Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $0.19 EPS

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The financial services provider reported $1.92 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.11 by ($0.19), FiscalAI reports. Unum Group had a return on equity of 12.61% and a net margin of 5.65%.The company had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.29 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.03 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. Unum Group updated its FY 2026 guidance to 8.600-8.900 EPS.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Unum Group stock opened at $74.67 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $77.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $75.48. The stock has a market cap of $12.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.36 and a quick ratio of 0.36. Unum Group has a 1-year low of $66.81 and a 1-year high of $84.48.

Unum Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be issued a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 30th. Unum Group’s payout ratio is presently 35.87%.

More Unum Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting Unum Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Premiums grew ~2% year‑over‑year, showing continued revenue traction in its core benefits businesses. UNM Q4 Earnings and Revenues Miss Estimates, Premiums Rise Y/Y
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts note the stock’s valuation is cheap relative to peers, which could limit downside and attract value buyers if underwriting trends stabilize. Unum: Underwriting Disappoints Again, But Valuation Is Low
• Neutral Sentiment: Management issued FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $8.60–$8.90 (consensus ~$8.91) — a formal outlook that reduces uncertainty but sits just below Street expectations. Unum Group Reports Q4 2025 Results and 2026 Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Full Q4 earnings call transcript and presentation are available for investors to assess management commentary and drivers (useful for gauging remediation plans for underwriting). UNM Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Q4 Results Presentation
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed materially ($1.92 vs. $2.11 expected) and revenue slightly missed estimates ($3.25B vs. $3.29B), with net income down year‑over‑year — an earnings shortfall that pressured the stock. Unum Lags Q4 Earnings and Revenue Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Segment profits fell and underwriting performance disappointed again, driven by higher benefits and expenses — this margin pressure is the main negative catalyst highlighted by analysts. Underwriting Disappoints
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction: several outlets reported shares tumbled after the earnings miss and weaker guidance, amplifying near‑term selling pressure. Shares Tumble After Weak Guidance, Earnings Miss

Unum Group announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, December 4th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to reacquire up to 8.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Morgan Stanley set a $85.00 target price on Unum Group in a report on Monday, December 15th. Citigroup reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Evercore set a $103.00 price objective on Unum Group in a report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Unum Group from $92.00 to $90.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Finally, Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Unum Group presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $97.69.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Unum Group news, CAO Walter Lynn Rice, Jr. sold 900 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.50, for a total value of $66,150.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 8,940 shares in the company, valued at $657,090. The trade was a 9.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Steven Andrew Zabel sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.38, for a total value of $572,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Unum Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 35.1% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,339,289 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $181,622,000 after purchasing an additional 607,684 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP raised its stake in Unum Group by 127.3% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 864,485 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $67,240,000 after buying an additional 484,107 shares in the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its holdings in Unum Group by 1,204.4% during the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 287,274 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $22,344,000 after buying an additional 265,251 shares during the last quarter. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Unum Group by 508.0% during the 2nd quarter. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC now owns 294,088 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $23,751,000 after buying an additional 245,718 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. boosted its position in shares of Unum Group by 18.4% during the 2nd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 1,125,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $90,855,000 after acquiring an additional 175,000 shares in the last quarter. 86.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.