Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the life insurance stocks, including Globe Life (NYSE: GL) and its peers.

Life insurance companies collect premiums from policyholders in exchange for providing a future death benefit or retirement income stream. Interest rates matter for the sector (and make it cyclical), with higher rates allowing insurers to reinvest their fixed-income portfolios at more attractive yields and vice versa. Additionally, favorable demographic shifts, such as an aging population, are driving strong demand for retirement products while AI and data analytics offer significant opportunities to improve underwriting accuracy and operational efficiency. Conversely, the industry faces headwinds from persistent competition from agile insurtechs that threaten traditional distribution models.

The 13 life insurance stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.7%.

While some life insurance stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 1.1% since the latest earnings results.

Globe Life (NYSE: GL)

With roots dating back to 1900 and a rebranding from Torchmark Corporation in 2019, Globe Life (NYSE: GL) is an insurance holding company that offers life insurance, supplemental health insurance, and annuity products through various distribution channels.

Globe Life reported revenues of $1.53 billion, up 4.1% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $144.40.

Read our full report on Globe Life here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG)

Spun off from insurance giant AIG in 2022 to focus on the growing retirement market, Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG) provides retirement solutions, annuities, life insurance, and institutional risk management products in the United States.

Corebridge Financial reported revenues of $6.34 billion, up 35.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 47.3%. The business had a very strong quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Corebridge Financial scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 4.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $29.66.

Is now the time to buy Corebridge Financial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Unum Group (NYSE: UNM)

Tracing its roots back to 1848 when financial security for workers was virtually non-existent, Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) provides workplace financial protection benefits including disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental and vision insurance primarily through employers.

Unum Group reported revenues of $3.25 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 2.7% since the results and currently trades at $73.60.

Read our full analysis of Unum Group’s results here.

CNO Financial Group (NYSE: CNO)

Rebranded from Conseco in 2010 to signal a fresh start after navigating financial challenges, CNO Financial Group (NYSE: CNO) develops and markets health insurance, annuities, and life insurance products primarily targeting middle-income pre-retirees and retirees.

CNO Financial Group reported revenues of $1.01 billion, up 2.4% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. It was a strong quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 2.2% since reporting and currently trades at $43.22.

Read our full, actionable report on CNO Financial Group here, it’s free.

Aflac (NYSE: AFL)

Known for its iconic duck mascot that has quacked "Aflac!" in commercials since 2000, Aflac (NYSE: AFL) provides supplemental health and life insurance policies that pay cash benefits directly to policyholders for expenses not covered by their primary insurance.

Aflac reported revenues of $4.28 billion, flat year on year. This print came in 2.9% below analysts' expectations. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also produced a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $113.36.

Read our full, actionable report on Aflac here, it’s free.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.