Unum Group Reports Q4 Earnings with Adjusted EPS Guidance for 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 07 2026
0mins
Should l Buy UNM?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- 2025 Adjusted EPS: Unum Group reported an adjusted EPS of $8.13 for 2025, falling short of expectations primarily due to increased benefits experience, with management redefining the 2025 base to $7.93 and guiding for 2026 adjusted EPS between $8.60 and $8.90, indicating potential for future profitability.
- Group Disability Pressure: The benefit ratio for Group Disability was 62.4% for 2025 and 64.2% in Q4, leading to a 22.8% year-over-year decline in adjusted operating income; however, management expects the benefit ratio to stabilize between 62% and 64% in 2026, reflecting confidence in future performance.
- Capital Return Plans: Unum raised its dividend by 10% and repurchased $1 billion in stock in 2025, with plans for another ~$1 billion in buybacks and a 10% dividend increase in 2026, targeting 100% of free cash flow (approximately $1.2 to $1.4 billion) for shareholder returns, demonstrating strong capital management capabilities.
- Digital Strategy: Unum emphasized its digital investments as a competitive advantage, with over one-third of the core premium base linked to customers utilizing “leading digital capabilities,” and management noted that customers using HR Connect have close ratios nearly double those of non-HR Connect customers, highlighting the positive impact of digitalization on business growth.
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Analyst Views on UNM
Wall Street analysts forecast UNM stock price to rise
9 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 79.230
Low
85.00
Averages
94.00
High
115.00
Current: 79.230
Low
85.00
Averages
94.00
High
115.00
About UNM
Unum Group is a provider of financial protection benefits in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Company offers disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental and vision, and other related services. Its segments include Unum US, Unum International, and Colonial Life. The Unum US segment comprises group disability, group life and accidental death and dismemberment, and supplemental and voluntary lines of business. It includes long-term and short-term disability, medical stop-loss, and fee-based service products. The Unum International segment includes insurance for group long-term disability, group life, and supplemental lines of business which include dental, individual disability, and critical illness products. The Colonial Life segment includes the accident, sickness, and disability product line, life product line, and cancer and critical illness product line. Its products are marketed to employees, on both a group and an individual basis.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Unum Group declares a quarterly dividend of $0.46 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and shareholder return strategies, which are likely to bolster investor confidence.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 2.37% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable income.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on May 15, with a record date of April 24 and an ex-dividend date also on April 24, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and strengthening the company's relationship with investors.
- Future Growth Outlook: Unum projects an 8% to 12% EPS growth for 2026, indicating a strategic focus on redefining core metrics and digital-driven premium expansion, which may lay the groundwork for future performance improvements.
See More
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- Dividend Declaration: The Unum Group Board of Directors announced a quarterly dividend of $0.460 per share effective April 9, 2026, to be paid on May 15, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Financial Performance: In 2025, Unum Group reported revenues of $13.1 billion and paid out $8.3 billion in benefits, indicating strong performance in the employee benefits market and stable cash flow, which enhances investor confidence.
- Industry Position: As a leading international provider of workplace benefits and services with over 175 years of history, Unum Group solidifies its market leadership through its Unum and Colonial Life brands, offering a wide range of insurance services.
- Ethical Recognition: Unum Group has been recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere®, reflecting its excellence in corporate social responsibility and ethical business practices, which enhances brand image and customer trust.
See More
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- Market Implications: This adjustment reflects UBS's positive outlook on the stock's performance in the market.
See More
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- Conference Call Discussion: Senior management will host a conference call on April 29 at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss Q1 results, expected to cover forward-looking guidance and operational trends, thereby enhancing investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Future Earnings Dates: Unum has announced its earnings release and conference call dates for Q2, Q3, and Q4 2026, scheduled for July 28, November 3, and February 2, respectively, allowing investors to plan their participation in advance.
- Company Background: As a leading international provider of workplace benefits and services for over 175 years, Unum Group reported revenues of $13.1 billion and paid $8.3 billion in benefits in 2025, demonstrating its robust position and ethical reputation in the industry.
See More
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Investment Opportunities: Certain companies, like Crescent Energy and Viper Energy, are gaining attention from analysts due to their potential for growth and attractive dividend yields, despite the challenging market conditions.
Crescent Energy's Performance: Crescent Energy has shown impressive production growth and financial stability, making it a favored choice among analysts, especially as it benefits from higher oil prices and domestic shale operations.
Viper Energy's Unique Position: Viper Energy stands out in the energy sector as a royalty company, which mitigates operational risks while still providing exposure to energy market fluctuations, making it an appealing option for investors seeking stability amidst volatility.
See More
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- Defensive Dividend Stocks: Dividend-paying stocks have outperformed the broader market this year as they provide reliable income to smooth out market fluctuations, and combining investments in small- and mid-cap stocks could yield success for investors focusing on quality names.
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