NEW YORK, March 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Today, Investors Alliance announced new research reports highlighting CNO Financial Group Inc (NYSE:CNO), ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:ING), Torchmark Corporation (NYSE:TMK), Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ) and Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.
CNO Financial Group Inc Research Report
Insurer CNO Financial saw its shares rise to its five-month high after Q4 profit beat analyst expectations. The company rose 5.1 percent to $10.81 last week, the second-best performer of the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index. It was its biggest intraday gain since September last year and highest price since June 2008. Net income for Q4 grew 60 percent to $101.2 million or 41 cents a share, from $64.4 million or 23 cents year over year. Operating profit meanwhile was 25 cents a share, beating the estimated 23 cents per share. In addition, the company bought back 21.5 million shares for $180 million last year, and redeemed $200 million worth of convertible debentures for $355 million. Zacks rates CNO as a "strong buy" for its performance, despite concerns with rising benefits and expenses, as well as consistently weak results at its Bankers Life segment. The Full Research Report on CNO Financial Group Inc - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/2ca4_CNO]
--
ING Groep N.V. Research Report
ING has announced cutting more than 2,400 IT and call center jobs to save costs in its Dutch and Belgian retail banks, as more customers were shifting to online banking, the insurer claimed. In addition, it is preparing itself in its plans to separate its banking and insurance operations under the terms of a state bailout, a Reuters report said. Management said the customers are now leaning towards the already well-established Internet banking practice in Netherlands, and that its standalone online bank ING direct has been a market leader in several markets including the US. So far, there have been a total of 7,500 announced layoffs in the past 15 months. In other news, ING announced the resignation of chief executive Jan Hommen on October 1 this year, and will be succeeded by ING Belgium CEO Ralph Hamers. The Full Research Report on ING Groep N.V. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/d0e5_ING]
--
Torchmark Corporation Research Report
Torchmark reported Q4 2012 net operating income of $1.33 per share, 10 percent higher from $1.20 per share year over year due to higher premium revenue as well as increased insurance underwriting income. In addition, lower share count from the same time the previous year owing to share repurchases also buoyed the bottom line. Total insurance premium increased 12% year over year to $739.1 million, thanks to higher premium from the Life and Health Insurance business. For fiscal year 2013, management expects 2013 net operating income per share to range from $5.45 to $5.75, citing its well-performing distribution agency and a significant presence in its niche market. The Full Research Report on Torchmark Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/6228_TMK]
--
Assurant, Inc. Research Report
Assurant reported Q4 2012 operating earnings of 7 cents per share, beating the estimated operating loss of 31 cents per share, but is significantly down 94 percent year over year. Meanwhile revenue for the quarter increased 2.3 percent year over year to $2.16 billion, also beating estimates, which was at $2.10 billion. The growth was led by higher premiums, net realized gains on investment, and fees and other income, partly offset by a higher amortization of deferred gain. Net earned premiums meanwhile improved by 2 percent year over year to $2 billion, but net investment income was unchanged at $172.1 million. These numbers were able to beat expectations despite losses from Superstorm Sandy with the help of share repurchases though partly offset by higher operating expenses. The Full Research Assurant, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/b028_AIZ]
--
Primerica, Inc. Research Report
Primerica, previously owned by Citigroup, rose 3.3 percent to $33.63 earlier this month, climbing 35 percent in the past 12 months. Net income for Q4 2012 grew 8.2 percent to $40.3 million or 67 cents per share from $37.2 million or $0.51 per share the same period in 2011 as net premiums increased 14 percent, while operating profit was $41.6 million or 69 cents a share, slightly missing the expected 70 cents, but up from $36.7 million or $0.51 per share year over year. Total revenues came in at $304.50 million, up from $275.86 million year over year, but was short of the expected $294.57 million for the quarter. The Full Research Report on Primerica, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.investors-alliance.com/r/full_research_report/f297_PRI]
--
Consider Investors Alliance
Tired of hearing about the latest, greatest trade opportunity... only to realize that the ship has long sailed? You need a strong, informative community in your arsenal. Join the group that has been consistently identifying momentous situations as they develop - long before they become the next top news on major financial networks.
Contact: Patricia Byers
Email: press@investors-alliance.com
Main: +1-480-745-7826
SOURCE Investors-Alliance
