CNO (CNO) Receives Upgrade to Buy: Reasons Explained
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 10 2025
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
CNO Financial Upgrade: CNO Financial has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive outlook for the company's stock price.
Earnings Estimates Impact: The Zacks rating system, which focuses on earnings estimate revisions, shows a strong correlation between these revisions and near-term stock price movements, making it a valuable tool for investors.
Institutional Investor Influence: Changes in earnings estimates affect the fair value calculations used by institutional investors, leading to significant stock price movements based on their buying or selling actions.
Historical Performance: The Zacks Rank system has a proven track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks averaging a +25% annual return since 1988, highlighting the potential for CNO to deliver market-beating returns in the near term.
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Analyst Views on CNO
Wall Street analysts forecast CNO stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CNO is 48.00 USD with a low forecast of 47.00 USD and a high forecast of 50.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 41.010
Low
47.00
Averages
48.00
High
50.00
Current: 41.010
Low
47.00
Averages
48.00
High
50.00
About CNO
CNO Financial Group, Inc. is a holding company for a group of insurance companies. It provides life and health insurance, annuities, financial services and workforce benefits solutions through its family of brands, including Bankers Life, Colonial Penn, Optavise and Washington National. It is focused on serving middle-income pre-retiree and retired Americans. It markets its products through the Consumer and Worksite Divisions that reflect the customers served by the Company. The Consumer Division serves individual consumers, engaging with them on the phone, virtually, online, face-to-face with agents, or through a combination of sales channels. The Worksite Division focuses on the sale of voluntary benefit life and health insurance products in the workplace for businesses, associations and other membership groups, interacting with customers at their place of employment and virtually. It also offers a suite of voluntary benefits, benefits administration technology and advocacy services.
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.
CNO Financial Group Appoints Two Senior Vice Presidents to Drive Business Growth
- Executive Promotions: Steve Janoson has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Direct and Independent Distribution, having served as Vice President since 2020, where he led initiatives that significantly contributed to the success of Colonial Penn, Washington National, and Bankers Life brands.
- Legal Strategy Leadership: Rachel Spehler has been elevated to Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Secretary, previously holding the same role since 2020; her expertise in navigating complex regulatory matters has been pivotal to CNO's overall success since she joined in 2016.
- Team Contributions: The promotions of Janoson and Spehler underscore CNO's recognition of their leadership capabilities, particularly in driving sustained growth in direct and independent channels, indicating strong potential for future expansion.
- Company Background: CNO Financial Group secures the future of middle-income America, managing 3.3 million policies and $38.3 billion in total assets, demonstrating its solid position and market influence in providing life and health insurance and financial services.
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CNO Financial Group Promotes Executives to Drive Business Growth
- Executive Promotions: CNO Financial Group announces the promotions of Steve Janoson to Senior Vice President of Direct and Independent Distribution and Rachel Spehler to Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary, aimed at driving further business growth.
- Leadership Recognition: Scott Goldberg noted that Janoson's leadership has been crucial for sustained growth in direct and independent channels, successfully launching new programs over the past three years, enhancing the company's market position in brands like Colonial Penn.
- Legal Strategy Enhancement: Spehler has demonstrated outstanding leadership in legal strategy and corporate governance, providing essential guidance on complex regulatory matters since joining CNO in 2016, ensuring compliance and effective oversight.
- Business Expansion Potential: CNO Financial Group currently manages 3.3 million policies and $38.3 billion in total assets, and the new executive appointments are expected to further strengthen the company's competitive edge and support future business expansion.
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