Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Issues Earnings Results

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The financial services provider reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.11 by ($0.19), FiscalAI reports. 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.29 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.03 EPS. The company’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 Down 1.6%

NYSE UNM opened at $75.74 on Friday. 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 52 week low of $66.81 and a 52 week high of $84.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.76, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a fifty day moving average of $77.05 and a two-hundred day moving average of $75.52.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 20th. Investors of record on Friday, January 30th will be issued a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 30th. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.87%.

Unum Group announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, December 4th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 8.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Key Unum Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts highlight Unum’s low valuation relative to peers and its cash flow/earnings profile, arguing shares look attractively priced after the selloff. Unum: Underwriting Disappoints Again, But Valuation Is Low
• Neutral Sentiment: Management set FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $8.60–$8.90, narrowly below consensus (~$8.91) — the outlook still implies strong full‑year earnings but falls short of analyst models. Unum Group Reports Q4 2025 Results and 2026 Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Operational snapshot: Q4 revenue rose ~0.2% y/y to $3.25B, net margin ~6.99% and ROE ~13.1% — stable earnings power but modest top‑line growth. Press Release: Q4 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed: $1.92 vs. consensus ~$2.11, and revenue missed estimates ($3.25B vs. ~$3.29B). The earnings and top‑line misses, plus commentary on underwriting pressures, triggered a sharp intra‑day selloff. Unum Group shares tumble after weak guidance, earnings miss
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst takes are cautious: Seeking Alpha labels UNM a “Hold” for 2026, citing recurring underwriting disappointments and better alternatives in the sector — pressure on sentiment may keep the shares underperforming near term. Unum: A ‘Hold’ For 2026, Better Alternatives Exist

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on UNM shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $98.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $115.00 price objective on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “market perform” rating on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Unum Group from $96.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $97.08.

Insider Activity

In other Unum Group news, CAO Walter Lynn Rice, Jr. sold 900 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.50, for a total transaction of $66,150.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 8,940 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $657,090. This trade represents a 9.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Steven Andrew Zabel sold 7,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.38, for a total transaction of $572,850.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 113,807 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,692,578.66. This trade represents a 6.18% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in Unum Group by 35.1% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,339,289 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $181,622,000 after buying an additional 607,684 shares during the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP raised its position in shares of 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 worth $67,240,000 after acquiring an additional 484,107 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV boosted its position in Unum Group by 1,204.4% during the third quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 287,274 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $22,344,000 after purchasing an additional 265,251 shares in the last quarter. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC raised its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 245,718 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. lifted its position in shares of Unum Group by 18.4% in the second quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 1,125,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $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.

About Unum Group

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.