Wrapping up Q2 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 12 life insurance stocks we track reported a mixed Q2. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 8.2%.
While some life insurance stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 1.7% 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 $1.01 billion, up 5.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.
"CNO delivered a very strong first half, with second quarter operating earnings per share up 45% and our 16th consecutive quarter of sales growth," said Gary C. Bhojwani, chief executive officer.
CNO Financial Group scored the biggest analyst estimate beat in the group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 3.8% since reporting and currently trades at $55.53.
Is now the time to buy CNO Financial Group? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q2: Horace Mann Educators (NYSE: HMN)
Founded in 1945 and named after the 19th-century education reformer known as the "father of American public education," Horace Mann Educators (NYSE: HMN) is an insurance company that specializes in providing auto, property, life, and retirement products tailored for educators and other public service employees.
Horace Mann Educators reported revenues of $443.5 million, up 7.7% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. The business had a very strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.
Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 5.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $49.44.
Is now the time to buy Horace Mann Educators? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q2: 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 2.4% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.
As expected, the stock is down 15.3% since the results and currently trades at $52.42.
Read our full analysis of Brighthouse Financial’s results here.
Aflac (NYSE: AFL)
Known for its iconic duck mascot that has quacked "Aflac!" in commercials since 2000, Aflac (NYSE: AFL) provides supplemental health and life insurance policies that pay cash benefits directly to policyholders for expenses not covered by their primary insurance.
Aflac reported revenues of $4.22 billion, down 6.9% year on year. This number was in line with analysts’ expectations. Aside from that, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ book value per share estimates but EPS in line with analysts’ estimates.
The stock is down 9.4% since reporting and currently trades at $114.77.
Read our full, actionable report on Aflac here, it’s free.
Market Update
Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.
Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.
By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.
