Torchmark (TMK) Q1 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates

Torchmark Corporation’s TMK first-quarter 2019 net operating income of $1.64 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.1%. The bottom line improved 10.1% year over year on the back of higher premiums from the Life and Health segments. Lower share count on continuous buybacks also drove the upside.

Including realized gain on investments of 1 cent, net income increased 10.7% year over year to $1.65 per share

Behind the Headlines

Torchmark reported total premium revenues of $891 million, up 5% year over year. This upside was primarily driven by higher premiums from Life and Health Insurance businesses.

Net investment income increased 4% year over year to $226.7 million.

The company’s operating revenues of $1.1 billion grew 4.7% from the year-ago quarter. This top-line improvement was driven by growth in Life and Health Insurance premiums along with higher net investment income. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.8%.

Excess investment income, a measure of profitability, increased 6% year over year to $65.6 million.

Torchmark’s total insurance underwriting income grew 9% year over year to $174.8 million. Improvement in Life and Health Insurance underwriting margins resulted in this uptrend. However, higher administrative expenses partially offset this upside.

Administrative expenses increased 7% year over year to $59.2 million.

Total benefits and expenses rose 3.8% year over year to $891 million.

Torchmark Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Torchmark Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Torchmark Corporation Quote

Segment Update

Premium revenues at Torchmark’s Life Insurance operations increased 4% year over year to $624.3 million, banking on higher premiums written by distribution channels like American Income Agency, Global Life Direct Response and LNL Agency. While American Income Agency grew 7%, Global Life Direct Response grew 3% and LNL Agency rose 2%. Life Insurance underwriting income improved 10% year over year to $169.8 million. Net sales at the Life Insurance segment were 4% higher on a year-over-year basis.

Health insurance premium revenues rose 6% year over year to $266.7 million. Underwriting income of $61.5 million increased 6% year over year. Net health sales grew 2% year over year.

Annuity underwriting margins declined 7.7% year over year to $2.4 million.

Financial Update

Shareholders’ equity as of Mar 31, 2019 increased 3.8% year over year to $6 billion.

Torchmark reported book value per share (excluding net unrealized gains on fixed maturities) of $45.45, up 11% year over year.

As of Mar 31, 2019, operating return on equity (excluding net unrealized gains on fixed maturities) was 14.7%, up 10 basis points year over year.

Share Repurchase and Dividend Update

In the first quarter, Torchmark repurchased 1.1 million shares for a total cost of $89 million.

Guidance

For 2019, Torchmark raised its net operating income guidance range to $6.61 to $6.75 per share from the earlier projection of $6.60 to $6.70.

Zacks Rank

Torchmark currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Insurers

Among other insurance industry players who have reported first-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line of The Progressive Corporation PGR, The Travelers Companies, Inc. TRV and RLI Corp. RLI beat their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.

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