Wrapping up Q1 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the life insurance stocks, including CNO Financial Group (NYSE: CNO) and its peers.

Life insurance companies collect premiums from policyholders in exchange for providing a future death benefit or retirement income stream. Interest rates matter for the sector (and make it cyclical), with higher rates allowing insurers to reinvest their fixed-income portfolios at more attractive yields and vice versa. Additionally, favorable demographic shifts, such as an aging population, are driving strong demand for retirement products while AI and data analytics offer significant opportunities to improve underwriting accuracy and operational efficiency. Conversely, the industry faces headwinds from persistent competition from agile insurtechs that threaten traditional distribution models.

The 11 life insurance stocks we track reported a slower Q1. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.1%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

CNO Financial Group (NYSE: CNO)

Rebranded from Conseco in 2010 to signal a fresh start after navigating financial challenges, CNO Financial Group (NYSE: CNO) develops and markets health insurance, annuities, and life insurance products primarily targeting middle-income pre-retirees and retirees.

CNO Financial Group reported revenues of $999.2 million, up 5.3% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates.

"CNO is off to a strong start to 2026, building on the momentum from our excellent performance in 2025," said Gary C. Bhojwani, chief executive officer.

Interestingly, the stock is up 5.4% since reporting and currently trades at $46.86.

Read our full report on CNO Financial Group here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Primerica (NYSE: PRI)

With a sales force of over 140,000 licensed representatives operating on an independent contractor model, Primerica (NYSE: PRI) provides term life insurance, investment products, and other financial services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada.

Primerica reported revenues of $872.3 million, up 8.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. The business had a strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ book value per share and revenue estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 8.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $254.40.

Is now the time to buy Primerica? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF)

Spun off from MetLife in 2017 to focus specifically on retail financial products, Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF) provides annuity contracts and life insurance products designed to help individuals protect wealth, generate income, and transfer assets.

Brighthouse Financial reported revenues of $2.10 billion, down 2.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4.8%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and book value per share estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $62.25.

Read our full analysis of Brighthouse Financial’s results here.

Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC)

Founded in 1905 by a group of Fort Wayne, Indiana businessmen who named the company after Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) provides insurance, retirement plans, and wealth management products through its subsidiaries, operating under four main segments: Annuities, Life Insurance, Group Protection, and Retirement Plan Services.

Lincoln Financial Group reported revenues of $4.87 billion, up 3.9% year on year. This print came in 1% below analysts’ expectations. It was a slower quarter as it also produced a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share and revenue estimates.

The stock is down 7% since reporting and currently trades at $35.00.

Read our full, actionable report on Lincoln Financial Group here, it’s free.

Globe Life (NYSE: GL)

With roots dating back to 1900 and a rebranding from Torchmark Corporation in 2019, Globe Life (NYSE: GL) is an insurance holding company that offers life insurance, supplemental health insurance, and annuity products through various distribution channels.

Globe Life reported revenues of $1.56 billion, up 5.4% year on year. This number was in line with analysts’ expectations. Taking a step back, it was a softer quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share and EPS estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $151.05.

Read our full, actionable report on Globe Life here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.