Zacks Research Estimates Unum Group’s Q1 Earnings (NYSE:UNM)

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) – Research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2027 EPS estimates for shares of Unum Group in a note issued to investors on Thursday, February 19th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the financial services provider will post earnings of $2.51 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $2.48. The consensus estimate for Unum Group’s current full-year earnings is $9.14 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Unum Group’s Q2 2027 earnings at $2.53 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.46 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $10.58 EPS.

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on UNM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Unum Group from $92.00 to $90.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 6th. UBS Group dropped their price target on Unum Group from $85.00 to $81.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $98.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $115.00 target price on shares of Unum Group in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Unum Group in a report on Friday, February 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $96.75.

Unum Group Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:UNM opened at $73.66 on Monday. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $76.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $75.25. Unum Group has a 1 year low of $66.81 and a 1 year high of $84.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.37 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $12.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.20.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.92 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.11 by ($0.19). The business had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.29 billion. Unum Group had a return on equity of 12.62% and a net margin of 5.65%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.03 earnings per share. Unum Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.600-8.900 EPS.

Unum Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th were issued a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 30th. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio is 43.29%.

Unum Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, December 4th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to buy up to 8.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Cynthia Egan sold 9,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.00, for a total value of $657,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 42,846 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,127,758. This represents a 17.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CAO Walter Lynn Rice, Jr. sold 900 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.50, for a total transaction of $66,150.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 8,940 shares in the company, valued at $657,090. This represents a 9.15% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 14,400 shares of company stock worth $1,049,760. Corporate insiders own 0.93% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Triumph Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Ancora Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 385.2% during the third quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 427 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Unum Group by 44.0% in the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 537 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 164 shares during the period. 86.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Unum Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Institutional/hedge-fund interest — An article highlights why hedge funds favor Unum, which can support demand for the shares and provide a catalyst for outperformance if funds increase positions or spotlight the name for other investors. What Makes Unum Group (UNM) Highly Favored by Hedge Funds
• Neutral Sentiment: Directors still hold sizable equity despite recent sales — While two directors trimmed positions, both remain substantial shareholders (tens of thousands of shares), which limits the immediate governance/insider-control impact and suggests sales may be for diversification or personal liquidity rather than a lack of confidence. Cynthia Egan Form 4 Timothy F. Keaney Form 4
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sales disclosed — Director Cynthia Egan sold 9,000 shares (~17% haircut to her position) at an average $73.00 and Director Timothy Keaney sold 4,500 shares (~10% haircut) at ~$72.58. Large/timed insider sales can be interpreted negatively by investors, especially when coupled with downward analyst revisions. Cynthia Egan Form 4 Timothy F. Keaney Form 4
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research cuts EPS estimates across multiple quarters and fiscal years — Zacks lowered Q1–Q4 2026 and FY2026 estimates and also trimmed FY2027 and quarterly projections. The downward revisions (FY2026 to $8.88 from $9.08; FY2027 to $9.84 from $9.99) increase near-term earnings risk versus consensus and could pressure the stock multiple if others follow. (Source: Zacks research notes)

Unum Group Company Profile

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.