Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the fourteen ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $97.6923.

A number of research firms recently commented on UNM. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $115.00 price target on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Evercore set a $103.00 target price on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Friday. Evercore ISI set a $103.00 price target on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley set a $85.00 price objective on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Unum Group in a report on Monday, December 29th.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNM opened at $74.67 on Wednesday. Unum Group has a 12-month low of $66.81 and a 12-month high of $84.48. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $77.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $75.41. The firm has a market cap of $12.49 billion, a PE ratio of 17.57, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.11 by ($0.19). The company had revenue of $3.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.29 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 5.65% and a return on equity of 12.62%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.03 earnings per share. Unum Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.600-8.900 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Unum Group will post 9.14 earnings per share for the current year.

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

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 20th. Investors of record on Friday, January 30th will be paid a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 30th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 43.29%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Steven Andrew Zabel sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.38, for a total transaction of $572,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 113,807 shares in the company, valued at $8,692,578.66. This represents a 6.18% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 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. 0.93% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unum Group

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the second quarter worth about $1,113,353,000. First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in Unum Group by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 5,734,937 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $446,063,000 after acquiring an additional 223,095 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in Unum Group by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,777,880 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $293,837,000 after acquiring an additional 179,401 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Unum Group by 7.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,341,589 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $271,862,000 after acquiring an additional 219,076 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its stake in shares of Unum Group by 63.7% during the third quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 2,516,126 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $195,704,000 after acquiring an additional 978,937 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.57% of the company’s stock.

Unum Group News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Premiums grew ~2% year‑over‑year, showing continued revenue traction in its core benefits businesses. UNM Q4 Earnings and Revenues Miss Estimates, Premiums Rise Y/Y
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts note the stock’s valuation is cheap relative to peers, which could limit downside and attract value buyers if underwriting trends stabilize. Unum: Underwriting Disappoints Again, But Valuation Is Low
• Neutral Sentiment: Management issued FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $8.60–$8.90 (consensus ~$8.91) — a formal outlook that reduces uncertainty but sits just below Street expectations. Unum Group Reports Q4 2025 Results and 2026 Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Full Q4 earnings call transcript and presentation are available for investors to assess management commentary and drivers (useful for gauging remediation plans for underwriting). UNM Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Q4 Results Presentation
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed materially ($1.92 vs. $2.11 expected) and revenue slightly missed estimates ($3.25B vs. $3.29B), with net income down year‑over‑year — an earnings shortfall that pressured the stock. Unum Lags Q4 Earnings and Revenue Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Segment profits fell and underwriting performance disappointed again, driven by higher benefits and expenses — this margin pressure is the main negative catalyst highlighted by analysts. Underwriting Disappoints
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction: several outlets reported shares tumbled after the earnings miss and weaker guidance, amplifying near‑term selling pressure. Shares Tumble After Weak Guidance, Earnings Miss

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.