Prudential Financial PRU stock prediction 2015

Prudential Financial PRU stock prediction 2015 ; Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU), the second-largest life insurer in the U.S., said it expected to earn between $7.50 and $7.90 a share next year, an increase over 2015, driven in part by growth in existing units and the completion of previously announced deals. 

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had been predicting operating earnings per share of $7.88 next year on average. Prudential has earned $4.43 per share through the first nine months of 2015 and analysts so far expect $1.75 in the fourth quarter. The earnings guidance was disclosed in a slideshow included in a regulatory filing in advance of Prudential's third-quarter conference call, where executives plan to discuss their outlook for 2015. 

The company, which announced a 10% dividend increase, said it would end the year with "readily deployable capital" of $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion. Share buybacks were one driver of 2015 earnings growth listed by the company in the slides. Prudential also predicted operating return on equity, another measure of profitability, would rise to 12.2% to 12.8% in 2015. 

The company's operating return on equity was 10.2% through the first nine months of this year. The earnings-per-share outlook for next year assumes that interest rates, which have damped returns in investment portfolios across the insurance industry, will stay low. It also assumes the company will complete a previously announced acquisition of a life-insurance business from Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (HIG) in the first quarter and a large pension transaction in the fourth. 

The tentative model also predicted the price would grow in the first half of 2015 to $52. Therefore, we foresaw a negative correction in March-April. The actual price started to fall in the beginning of May and the monthly closing price for May was at the level of $45 per share. The updated model, as obtained with new data between March and October 2015, predicts a healthy growth in the price in 2015Q4. In January 2015, the price may reach the level of $64. On November 20, the closing price was $50.78. There is some potential of a 10% to 15% return at a three month horizon. One may consider PRU as an investment idea at this horizon.

The model has been obtained using our concept of share pricing as a decomposition of a share price into a weighted sum of two consumer price indices. The intuition is clear - there is a set of goods and services which any company produces and this set defines the share price evolution of a given company relative to other companies.

These other companies are also driven by prices for some goods and services. Hence, for a given company one needs two defining sets of goods and services to estimate its relative pricing power - one related and one as an independent reference. Thus, the relevant stock price can be defined by two CPIs which include corresponding goods and services.

Many SA readers have reasonable doubts that some consumer price, which is not directly related to goods and services produced by a given company, may affect its price. We allow the economy to be a more complex system than described by a number of simple linear relations between share prices and goods. The connection between a firm and its products may be better expressed by goods and services which the company does not produce or provide. The demand/supply balance is fragile and may evolve along many nonlinear paths. It would be too simplistic to directly define a company price only by its own products.

Originally, we addressed the PRU model in 2015 and found two CPIs explaining the monthly closing prices of PRU since 2003. They were the consumer price index of food and beverages (F) and the index of transportation services (TS). The defining time lags were as follows: the food index led the share price by 5 months and the TS index led by 4 months:

PRU(t) = -6.09F(t-5) - 3.15TS(t-4) + 59.76(t-1990) + 930.50, September 2015

In 2015 and 2015, we revisited the original model and estimated new coefficients and lags. These estimates were close to the original ones:

PRU(t) = -5.45F(t-5) - 3.98TS(t-3) + 59.66(t-1990) + 1055.38, September 2015

PRU(t) = -5.14F(t-5) - 3.80TS(t-4) + 56.20(t-1990) + 1005.63, February 2015

Here we revisit the model. We have borrowed the time series of monthly closing prices of PRU from Yahoo.com and the relevant (seasonally not adjusted) CPI estimates through October 2015 are published by the BLS. The best-fit model for PRU(t) is as follows:

PRU(t) = -5.09F(t-5) - 3.67TS(t-3) + 55.44(t-2000) + 1531.31, October 2015

where PRU(t) is the PRU share price in U.S. dollars, t is calendar time. One can conclude that the model has not been changing since January 2015 and thus provides a good estimate of the price at a three month horizon.

Figure 1 displays the evolution of both defining indices since 2002.

Figure 2 depicts the high and low monthly prices for a share together with the predicted and measured monthly closing prices (adjusted for dividends and splits). The predicted prices are well within the limits of the high/low share price which might be considered as the actual price uncertainty.

The model residual error is shown in Figure 3 with the standard deviation between July 2003 and October 2015 of $6.01 ($5.58 in March 2015).

Source ref:

http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1024801-prudential-financial-may-rise-to-64-in-january-2015

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AIG Insurance stock prices prediction 2015

AIG Insurance stock prediction 2015 : American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading international insurance organization serving customers in more than 130 countries. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional and individual customers through one of the most extensive worldwide property-casualty networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of life insurance and retirement services in the United States. AIG Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share (AIG Common Stock), is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as well as the stock exchanges in Ireland and Tokyo. 

AIG is an insurance conglomerate that spans the globe, but during the great recession like many other giant financial institutions, AIG got itself into a lot of trouble taking on the counter-party risk of mortgage backed securities. During the 4th quarter of 2008, AIG set the world record for reporting the biggest loss. It lost $99.3 billion dollars in a single quarter.

The company currently operates one of the largest insurance networks in the world, with more than 85 million clients in 130 countries. AIG is split into four business divisions: Chartis, SunAmerica Financial Group, Aircraft Leasing, and other operations.

Chartis offers a unique portfolio of insurance products and services. The insurance products are: casualty, property, financial lines, and specialty. Chartis conducts its business through multiple entities such as: New Hampshire Insurance Company, American Home Assurance Company, Lexington Insurance Company, AIU Insurance Company, Chartis Overseas, Fuji Fire & Marine Insurance Company Limited, Chartis Europe Holdings Limited, and Chartis Europe.

SunAmerica Financial Group - offers a comprehensive suite of products such as: term life, universal life, fixed/variable annuities, mutual funds, financial planning. The SunAmerica Financial Group operates under these subsidiaries: American General Life Companies (American General), Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (Western National), SunAmerica Retirement Markets (SARM).

AIG's other operations primarily consisted of derivatives trading, and aircraft leasing. The other operations: International Lease Finance Corporation, AIG Markets, United Guaranty Corporation, AIG Financial Products, and AIG Trading Group Inc.

Currently AIG generates 91% of its revenue through the SunAmerica Financial Group, and Chartis. 

AIG's current management strategy remains simple: by 2015 achieve return on equity above 10%, generate share growth in mid-teens, grow insurance divisions, and reinvest retained earnings.

AIG aggressively competes with Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B), The Travelers Companies (TRV), Chubb (CB), Allstate (ALL), Loews (L), Progressive (PGR), Hartford Financial Services (HIG), CNA Financial (CNA), among many others.

Technical Analysis AIG insurance 2015

The stock has been on a continuous up-trend since November 2015. On 12/24/2015 the stock is between a very narrow symmetrical triangle formation. I anticipate the stock to break out no later than the 26th or 27th, meaning that the stock will be forced to make a major move.

Source: Chart from freestockcharts.com

The stock is trading above the 20-, 50-, and 200- Day Moving Averages. The stock will experience further upside through 2015, as investors have under-bought the growth prospects of the company.

Notable support is $23.00, $27.30, and $30.60 per share.

Notable resistance is $37.50, $46.00, and $60.00 per share.

Street Assessment

Analysts on a consensus basis have high expectations for the company going forward.

Growth Est	AIG	Industry	Sector	S&P 500
Current Qtr.	-113.40%	-99.90%	-93.80%	9.50%
Next Qtr.	-48.50%	-99.80%	-92.70%	15.30%
This Year	266.70%	99.80%	23.30%	7.20%
Next Year	-6.70%	20.80%	6.90%	13.10%
Past 5 Years (per annum)	-42.91%	N/A	N/A	N/A
Next 5 Years (per annum)	21.93%	13.20%	10.60%	8.72%
Price/Earnings (avg. for comparison categories)	9.41	19.56	13.83	14.69
PEG Ratio (avg. for comparison categories)	0.43	1.67	0.95	1.41

Source: Table and data from Yahoo Finance

Analysts have high expectations, as analysts on a consensus basis have a 5-year average growth rate forecast of 21.93% (based on the above table). This growth rate is above the industry average for next 5-years (13.20%).

Earnings History	11-Dec	12-Mar	12-Jun	12-Sep
EPS Est	0.63	1.12	0.57	0.86
EPS Actual	0.82	1.65	1.06	1
Difference	0.19	0.53	0.49	0.14
Surprise %	30.20%	47.30%	86.00%	16.30%

Source: Table and data from Yahoo Finance

The average surprise percentage is 44% above analyst forecast earnings over the past four quarters (based on the above table).

Forecast and History AIG Insurance

Year	Basic EPS	P/E Multiple
2003	$ 3.10	21.38
2004	$ 3.77	17.42
2005	$ 4.03	16.93
2006	$ 5.38	13.32
2007	$ 2.40	24.29
2008	$ (37.84)	-
2015	$ (93.69)	-
2015	$ 14.75	3.27
2015	$ 8.60	2.7
2015	$ 3.74	9.41

Source: Table created by Alex Cho, data from shareholder annual report

The EPS figure shows that throughout the 2003-2006 period earnings were growing due to favorable economic conditions. Then the company was adversely affected by the great recession throughout 2007-2015, as the net income rapidly declined, and AIG eventually logged the biggest loss in corporate history. During 2015 the company was able to generate a profit by restructuring the company; this involved selling business units, which inflated earnings by $17.7 billion dollars. Once the United States economy exited the recession in 2015-2015 the company earnings have improved, albeit gradually. In 2015 the abnormal earnings of $8.60 were due to a provisional benefit from taxes worth $18.03 billion dollars. The improvements in net income for 2015-2015 were one-time events and should not be considered a part of the long-term earnings growth trend. So in essence, 2015 is likely to be the most normal year for AIG over the past 5 years.

Source: Table created by Alex Cho, data from shareholder annual report

By observing the chart we can conclude that the business is somewhat cyclical and is affected by macroeconomics. Therefore one of the largest risk factors to AIG is the slowing of international gross domestic product growth. So as long as the global economy continues to grow, the company will generate reasonable returns over a 5-year time span based on the forecast below.

AIG Stock Prices Forecast Next 5 Year

Source: Forecast and table by Alex Cho

By 2018 I anticipate the company to generate $10.19 in earnings per share. This is because of earnings growth, improving global outlook, earnings management and continued development overseas.

The forecast is proprietary, and below is a non-linear chart indicating the price of the stock over the next 5-years.

AIG Stock Chart Forecast Next 5 Year

AIG Stock Chart Forecast Next 5 Year

Source: Forecast and chart by Alex Cho

Below is a price chart incorporating the past 10 years and the next 6 years. Detailing 16 years in pricing based on my forecast and price history on December 31st of each year.

Source: Forecast and chart created by Alex Cho, data from shareholder annual report, and price history is from Yahoo Finance.

*The period 2003-2008 were price quotes based on pre-split stock prices (multiply by 20 to accurately calculate the price of the shares between 2003 and 2008). On 7/01/2015 the stock had a 1:20 split (reverse split).

Investment Strategy AIG Insurance

AIG currently trades at $35.20. I have a price forecast of $37.94 for 2015. AIG is in a long-term up-trend. I anticipate momentum in the price of the stock, as the growth rate offers compelling stock appreciation for the foreseeable future.

Short Term

Over the next twelve months, the stock is likely to appreciate from $35.20 to $38.60 per share. This implies 9.6% upside from current levels. The technical analysis indicates an up-trend (break above the symmetrical triangle formation). While the previously mentioned price forecast using fundamental analysis further supports the trade set-up.

Investors should buy AIG at $35.20 and sell at $38.60 to pocket short-term gains of 9.6% in 2015. This return is pretty measly, meaning that short-term investors would likely do better investing in other opportunities.

Long Term

The company is a great investment for the long-term. I anticipate AIG to deliver upon the price and earnings forecast despite the risk factors (macroeconomic, competition, etc.). AIG's primary upside catalyst is international development, and earnings management. I anticipate the company to deliver upon my forecasted price target of $100.12 by 2018. This implies a return of 185% by 2018. This rate of return is exceptional, considering AIG has a market capitalization of $52B. The extra liquidity makes this a compelling growth investment for institutional investors who require higher liquidity.

Conclusion buy AIG Stock

Buy AIG on long-term growth. AIG has not died off the surface of the earth; it is more stubborn than a roach. The conclusion remains simple: buy AIG.

Articel copyright by Alex cho - published by seekingalpha.com

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Health Net expects earnings per share 2015

Best Insurance Stocks - Health Net Inc expects earnings per share 2015, Analysts expect eps 2015, Health Net stock forecast 2015, Health Net revenue prediction 2015 : Health Net Inc. has issued an initial 2015 earnings forecast that comes with room for growth according to analysts who cover the health insurer. The Woodland Hills, Calif., company said Tuesday after markets closed that it expects earnings per share next year to range from $2 to $2.10, with revenue of between $10.7 billion and $11.2 billion.

Analysts expect, on average, earnings of $2.03 per share on $12.06 billion in revenue, according to FactSet, Health Net provides commercial health insurance and administers Medicaid and Medicare coverage. It does most of its business in California.

The insurer also said it expects health plan membership to fall between 1 percent and 2 percent next year, driven partly by a commercial enrollment drop of between 8 and 9 percent.

Health Net's earnings forecast fell well below Goldman Sachs analyst Matthew Borsch's expectation for $2.25 per share. But the analyst said in a research note he expects improved profitability as the insurer benefits from better pricing in its commercial business and as California resets rates for a Medicaid population.

Citi analyst Carl McDonald said in a separate note the company's forecast doesn't include revenue from its dual-eligible program, which is scheduled to start later in the year.

Dual-eligibles are a category of patients eligible for both Medicaid, the state and federally funded program that covers the poor and disabled people, and Medicare, which focuses on the elderly and the disabled. States are starting to move their dual eligible residents, who generally have expensive medical conditions, into managed care programs that coordinate care and cut wasteful spending. Analysts see this as a potentially lucrative business for insurers.

McDonald said the so-called "duals" give Health Net a chance to either modestly or meaningfully exceed its initial forecast.

The analyst also said the insurer's projected enrollment drop was a good thing because it shows the company is setting prices conservatively next year. Insurers can strain profitability of they drop their coverage prices too low to increase their enrollment.

Cigna insurance stocks performance 2015

Best Insurance Stocks today - Cigna insurance stocks performance 2015 : Health insurer Cigna Corp said that it expects 2015 earnings growth of 4 to 9 percent, below its average long-term forecasts as it confronts U.S. unemployment in the high-single digits, limited wage growth and a gradual rise in the use of medical services.

Cigna's outlook followed up on comments earlier this month from its executives about the "headwinds" expected in the coming year, as the company prepares for more aspects of U.S. healthcare reform to take hold.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed in 2015, includes a variety of changes and regulations that affect insurers, many of which will kick in by 2015.

Cigna President David Cordani said he does not expect the adoption of health exchanges among individuals and small companies in the next two years to hurt Cigna because it does not have a lot of those groups among its customers.

Chief Financial Officer Ralph Nicoletti told investors and analysts at a meeting on Friday that it expects total revenue will likely rise to a range of $31.5 billion to $32.5 billion next year. That is above analyst expectations of $29.3 billion revenue in 2015.

Revenue will grow across the company and its international business, which includes operations in Turkey and India, would increase the most at more than 20 percent.

Earnings per share will rise to a range of $5.80 to $6.25, excluding items, he said. Analysts were forecasting earnings of $6.32 per share ahead of the meeting. It was not immediately clear if those two figures were on the same basis.

 Cigna is in a strong position to see growth in its international and commercial healthcare coverage, according to BMO Capital, a financial services company that provides clients from businesses and government’s access to a wide variety of services and products. BMO believes that some of the most important parts of the health insurance providers business are also strengthening.

Furthermore, the company’s stock prices are also projected to increase, as analyst Dave Shove increased his 12-month anticipation for the price of the company’s stock from USD $60 to $65.

Earlier this month at its annual investor day presentation, Cigna Corp released their projections for 2015, with adjusted earnings of about USD $5.80 to $6.25 per share. These figures are lower and more conservative than average expectations from other analysts, which set expectations at about USD $6.33 on average, according to FactSet, a multinational financial data and software company.

Many reasons for the optimistic outlooks relate to Cigna’s strong portfolio of product offerings when compared to competitors. The company has a strong presence in the United States, which Shove says will remain a core aspect of the company’s focus. However, their overseas business is also growing through the sales of individual insurance and expatriate policies that offer coverage to people who live outside their home countries.

In addition to the company’s overseas potential, operating expenses overseas are also decreasing, making it easier for Cigna to continue expanding internationally.

Goldman Sachs analyst Matthew Borsch wrote in a research note that the company was conservative in its estimates for 2015. He also decreased his projection for a 12-month price target by USD $2 to $56 and Cigna’s forecast was also below Leerink Swann analyst, Jason Gurda’s estimate of $6.30 per share.

“We came away (from Friday’s presentation) increasingly confident in the company’s diversified growth drivers and ability to successfully navigate the industry changes that are scheduled to occur over the next couple years,” he wrote.

Positive results for Cigna then, 2015 will hopefully go as expected and offer promise to its policyholders in the new year.

Cigna stock prices prediction 2015

 : * Says sees 2015 adjusted EPS $5.80 to $6.25

* Says sees 2015 revs $31.5 billion to $32.5 billion

* Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S FY 2015 earnings per share view $6.32, revenue view $29.28 billion.

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Zurich Insurance stock performance 2015

Best insurance stocks today - Zurich Insurance stock performance 2015 ; Zurich Insurance Group AG (ZURN), Switzerland’s biggest insurer, said it is making “good progress” to achieving targets for 2015 and expects to pay an “attractive” dividend.

The company, which is holding an investor day in Zurich, has cut costs by $200 million as it targets expense reductions in “mature markets” of $500 million by the end of next year, the insurer said today in an e-mailed statement.

Chief Executive Officer Martin Senn said he’s confident that Zurich Insurance’s cash flows and capital position will allow an “attractive and sustainable dividend.” The insurer may raise the dividend for 2015 to 17.50 francs ($18.85), according to data compiled by Bloomberg, after leaving the 2015 payout unchanged at an 11-year high of 17 francs a share.

The statement “should provide the market with reassurance on the high dividend paying capacity,” said Stefan Schuermann, a Zurich-based analyst with Vontobel Holding AG who has a hold rating on the stock.

The stock rose 1.8 percent to 234.90 francs as of 9:45 a.m. in Zurich trading, giving the company a market value of 34.8 billion francs. Zurich Insurance has increased 11 percent this year, lagging behind the Bloomberg Europe 500 Insurance Index (BEINSUR)’s 28 percent gain.

While the insurer is targeting a business operating profit after tax return on equity of 16 percent in the long term, Zurich Insurance reiterated today that in the current environment, a goal of 2 percentage points below that is more realistic.

Zurich Insurance reported a 62 percent decline in third- quarter profit earlier this month following a $550 million write-off at its German general insurance business.

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Aspen Insurance stock outlook 2015

Best Insurance stock - Aspen Insurance stock outlook 2015 : Aspen Insurance has been witnessing rising earnings estimates on the back of strong fourth-quarter 2015 results. Moreover, this property and casualty insurer delivered positive earnings surprises in all four quarters of 2015 with an average beat of 54.3%.

Additionally, Aspen Insurance and Goldman, Sachs & Co. ( GS - Analyst Report ) entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase agreement whereby Aspen will pay $150 million to Goldman in exchange of its shares. Further, from Jan 1, 2015 through Feb 26, 2015, Aspen bought back $47 million shares. Aspen is left with $335 million under its $500 million share repurchase authorization.

Following a through review of businesses, management decided to lower its wind and earthquake exposure within the U.S. property insurance account. This would free up more than $200 million of capital that could be deployed to maximize shareholder value.

Aspen Insurance expects to generate operating return on equity of 10% in 2015. It delivered 8.5% in return on equity in 2015.

Aspen Insurance reported its fourth-quarter results on Feb 7. Non-GAAP loss per share came in at 15 cents, better than the Zack Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.21 per share.

Gross written premiums improved 25.6% year over year to $576.2 million in the fourth quarter. A surge of 40.2% in gross written premiums at the Insurance segment fueled the improvement.

Combined ratio improved 1710 basis points year over year to 107.1% in the fourth quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2015 increased 6.8% to $2.97 per share as 3 of 6 estimates were revised higher over the last 60 days. Also for 2015, 3 of 6 estimates moved up, pushing the Zacks Consensus Estimate higher by 7.6% to $3.13 over the same time frame.

Allstate Stock outlook 2015-2015

best insurance stock - Allstate insurance Stock outlook 2015-2015, Allstate stock performance 2015 ; Shares of Allstate closed at $42.93 Monday, trading for 9.5 times the consensus 2015 earnings per share estimate of $4.53. The consensus 2015 EPS estimate is $4.88.

The shares returned 50 percent during 2015.Based on a quarterly payout of 22 cents, the shares have a dividend yield of 2.05 percent.

Allstate announced on Nov. 28 estimated that its losses for October, net of reinsurance, totaled $1.1 billion before taxes. The company said that "autos represent approximately 40 percent of the total gross losses, with 78 percent in New York, 19 percent in New Jersey and 3 percent in other states."

For its property-liability unit, Allstate reported underwriting income of $1.316 billion for the first three quarters of 2015. During 2015, the unit had an underwriting loss of $874 million.

The company will announce its fourth-quarter results on Feb. 7, with analysts expecting a loss of 7 cents a share, compared to a profit of $1.46 a share the previous quarter, and earnings per share of $1.48 during the fourth quarter of 2015.

Allstate on Dec. 17 announced that its board of directors had "approved a share repurchase program of up to $1 billion to be funded by issuing a like amount of subordinated debentures," after its previous buyback program was completed.

Following the company's announcement, Credit Suisse analyst Michael Zaremski reiterated his "outperform" rating for Allstate, with a $42 price target, saying he expected the company's board of directors to approve an additional $1 billion worth of stock (equal to 5 percent of shares outstanding at today's stock price [on Dec. 1]) via the issuance of a like amount of hybrid debt." Zaremski estimates that Allstate will earn $4.35 a share in 2015 with earnings per share rising to $4.72 in 2015.

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Berkshire Hathaway stock outlook 2015

Berkshire Hathaway stock outlook 2015 : Shares of Berkshire Hathaway closed at $77.97 Monday, trading for 14.4 times the consensus 2015 earnings estimate of $5.43, among analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. The consensus 2015 earnings per share estimate is $5.83.

Berkshire's Class B shares were up 4 percent year-to-date through Monday's close, after returning 11 percent during 2015.

The consensus fourth-quarter earnings estimate for the Class B shares is $1.13, declining from $1.37 in the third quarter, but increasing from $1.08 in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Unlike several other companies with a major property and casualty presence in the Northeast, Berkshire Hathaway has not announced a loss estimate from Hurricane Sandy. Of course, the company is involved in other businesses besides insurance, but insurance revenues made up 77 percent of total revenue during the first three quarters of 2015.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) now controls nearly 15 percent of kidney dialysis firm DaVita's (DVA) stock.

Berkshire Hathaway reported its latest purchases of 179,300 shares on Tuesday. Berkshire told the Securities and Exchange Commission it now owns 13.975 million DaVita shares. That has grown significantly since Omaha-based Berkshire first disclosed owning 2.7 million DaVita shares at the end of 2015

During 2015, the company's pre-tax underwriting gain for its combined insurance businesses was $248 million. For the first three quarters of 2015, Berkshire's combined underwriting gain for its property and casualty insurance business was $354 million.

Insurance stock prices analysis today

Best Insurance Stock  - Insurance stock prices analysis today : Metlife Inc stock prices analysis, Genworth Financial Inc ,  Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) , ING Groep N.V. (ADR) (NYSE:ING) : Metlife Inc (NYSE:MET) stock is at $37.23, down-2.06 percent from its previous close of $38.20. Its today’s volume is 9.73 million shares in comparison to its usual trading volume of 8.67 million shares. The stock opened the session at $37.71 and touched its highest price point at $37.80.

The company is on track to expand the portfolio of Americas head William Wheeler with a $2 billion agreement to takeover AFP Provida SA (PROVIDA) from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA), highlighting the potential he may be the next chief executive officer.

Metlife Inc’s lowest price point for the session stood at $37.22, and its 52 week price range stood at $27.60 - $39.55. The company has total of 1.09billion outstanding shares and its total market capitalization is $40.62billion. Its beta value stands at 1.99 times and earning per share was $2.05.

Previous 5 days graph demonstrated a negative move of -1.12%. MET’s quarterly performance remained green with the percentage of +7.29, while its year to date performance showed that the stock advanced overall 13.02%.

Genworth Financial Inc (NYSE:GNW) stock is at $9.15, down-1.61 percent from its previous close of $9.30. The stock opened the session at $9.23 and touched its highest price point at $9.25. Genworth Financial stock’s lowest price point for the session stood at $9.08.

Stocks graphical chart shows a bullish trend during its last one month’s trading session. It remained positive with 50.99% during previous three months trade.

Its today’s volume is 8.14 million shares in comparison to its usual trading volume of 10.66 million shares. Its beta value stands at 3.15 points. Currently stocks EPS is $0.61 while its price to earning ratio is 15.11.

Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) opened the session at $29.15 and remained in $28.73 and $29.25 price range during the session. The stock is 2.10 percent down at $28.88. Volume closed the day at 2.61 million shares, its average volume being 2.58 million shares.

The company has total of 275.02 million outstanding shares and its total market capitalization is $7.94billion. Its beta value stands at 2.66 times and earning per share was $1.44.

LNC was a loser in the 5 days activity and slipped about -0.59%. The one month performance of stock was positive as it scored more than 2.74%.

ING Groep N.V. (ADR) (NYSE:ING) traded in the range of $9.41 and $9.64 in its previous trading session. The stock recorded the volume of 2.92 million shares so far, in comparison its average daily trading volume of 1.96 million shares. The company has total of 3.80 million outstanding shares and its total market capitalization is $35.81billion.

Company’s year to date performance remained declining as it lost almost -0.74%. If we look at last 6 months of trade that is in bullish zone with an increase of 42.08%

The stock opened at $9.64 and its closing price for the day was $9.42, down-5.52 percent from its previous close of $9.97. The beta of the INGstands at 2.77. 52 week range of the stock is $5.51 -$10.47. (source http://otcstockpicks.net/)

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LFC stock prices forecast 2015

Best Insurance stock - LFC stock prices forecast 2015 :  China Life Insurance (NYSE: LFC)  reported a net loss in the third quarter, due to a surge in operating expenses, which offset the operating income increases. However, premiums earned and investment income witnessed a notable improvement. Total assets and shareholders’ equity also improved, while cash fund deteriorated. Meanwhile, the subordinated debt issue has improved solvency ratio.

 Extensive domestic distribution channel, strong investment and stable ratings are other positives. However, the constant decline in operating cash flow is affecting financials. The company also inherently faces substantial interest rate and currency risks, which limit the upside. Despite a strong brand name, significant competition on the domestic front hampers earnings growth. Overall, we expect limited upside in the near term

China Life Insurance Co Ltd announced that it expects its net profit for the first three quarters of fiscal year (FY) 2015 decrease by approximately 55%, compared to the net profit of the same period in FY 2015 (RMB 16,717,000,000). The Company cited the decreased rate of return on investments and impairment loss on assets as the main reasons for the forecast.

Shares of China Life Insurance fell 1.9 percent in Hong Kong from Thursday's 18-month high, while Ping An Insurance , its smaller sector rival, dropped 2.1 percent.

Zacks reiterated their neutral rating on shares of China Life Insurance (NYSE: LFC) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning on Dec 25th, 2015   The firm currently has a $49.00 price target on the stock.

Fitch Ratings maintains a "stable" outlook for China's insurance sector 2015 , but recent exits by overseas investors' stirred concerns about the sector's profitability. "Our view is that the sector will be stable over the next 12 to 24 months," Terrence Wong, director of Fitch's insurance team, said on Monday. Property insurers' premiums are set to register double-digit growth this year and in 2015, but recent regulatory changes could intensify competition the ratings agency said. Read China insurance market growth outlook 2015

Earnings Growth Forecast

Fiscal Year End	Consensus EPS* Forecast	High EPS* Forecast	Low EPS* Forecast	Number of Estimates	Over the Last 4 Weeks Number of Revisions     Up                       Down
Dec 2015	1.06	1.09	1.03	2	0	0
Dec 2015	2.73	2.79	2.66	2	0	0
Dec 2015	3.07	3.07	3.07	1	0	0

Over the next five years, the analysts that follow this company are expecting it to grow earnings at an average annual rate of 20.19%.This year, analysts are forecasting earnings decrease of -31.61% over last year. Analysts expect earnings growth next year of 157.08% over this year's forecasted earnings

Price/Earning Ratio forecast 

Price/Earnings Ratio is a widely used stock evaluation measure. For a security, the Price/Earnings Ratio is given by dividing the Last Sale Price by the Average EPS (Earnings Per Share) Estimate for the specified fiscal time period.

Axa insurance stock prices forecast 2015

Axa insurance stock prices forecast 2015 : AXA Group (CS.PA) Year over year, AXA Group has seen revenues remain relatively flat (€98.9B to €99.0B), though the company was able to grow net income from €2.7B to €4.3B. A reduction in the percentage of sales devoted to cost of goods sold from 105.29% to 86.06% was a key component in the bottom line growth in the face of flat revenues.

On Dec. 18, 2015, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its counterparty  credit and insurer financial strength ratings on the core operating entities  of France-based composite insurer AXA group to 'A+' from 'AA-'. The outlook is  stable.

In our base-case assumptions, we expect the group's underlying earnings to  grow in the mid-single digits over 2015 and 2015, on the back of stable  contributions from its major business segments, continued improvement in the  P/C combined ratio (a measure of underwriting profitability), and steady life

and savings margins.

On August 21st, 2015 AXA announced the launch of its 2015 employee share offering ("SharePlan 2015"), a capital increase reserved to its employees worldwide. Over 21,000 employees in 40 countries, representing over 18% of the eligible employees, subscribed to SharePlan 2015.

AXA Group announced the appointment of Véronique Weill, Chief Operating Officer and member of the Executive Committee, to the Group's Management Committee as of January 1. Véronique Weill joined the company in June 2006 after having spent more than 20 years at JP Morgan, notably as Group head of Operations for Investment Banking and global head of IT & Operations for Asset Management and Private Clients. She was appointed Group Chief Operating Officer of AXA in December 2015, and is now in charge of Group Marketing, Distribution, IT, Operational Excellence, Procurement and GIE AXA.

AXA Market share in Asian
French insurer AXA is keen to expand its business in Singapore and Asia. As part of its growth plans, AXA unveiled its new offices that will house more than 600 of its staff in general and life insurance. Located at 8 Shenton Way, the AXA Tower stands 235 metres with 52 storeys. AXA is also focused on building its presence in Asia, where insurance premiums are expected to grow 17 per cent to US$957 billion in 2015. AXA commands a 9.5 per cent market share in general insurance with health, cargo and motor as its main products. So far, Indonesia and Thailand are AXA's key Asian markets for life insurance where it enjoys market share of 16 and 6 to 7 per cent, respectively. 

 AXA Group's Annual Earnings & Annual Revenues

AXA Group reported annual 2015 earnings of €1.57 per share on 02/18/2015. AXA Group had revenues for the full year 2015 of €86.1B. This was -5.3% below the prior year's results.

AXA Fundamentals

ear Ending	Revenue (€ m)	Pre-tax (€ m)	EPS	P/E	PEG	EPS Grth.	Div	Yield
31-Dec-07	86,116.00	7,695.00	213.61¢	12.5	n/a	-11%	111.94¢	4.2%
31-Dec-08	84,662.00	406.00	159.43¢	9.7	n/a	-25%	38.18¢	2.5%
31-Dec-09	84,646.00	5,564.00	149.00¢	11.1	n/a	-6%	55.00¢	3.3%
31-Dec-10	83,390.00	3,826.00	177.00¢	7.0	0.4	+19%	69.00¢	5.5%
31-Dec-11	80,570.00	4,589.00	143.00¢	7.0	n/a	-19%	69.00¢	6.9%

AXA Group (CS.PA) Forecasts Revenue

Revenue (€ m)	Pre-tax (€ m)	EPS	P/E	PEG	EPS Grth.	Div	Yield
31-Dec-12	85,414.50	6,290.86	183.74¢	7.5	0.3	+28%	73.00¢	5.5%
31-Dec-13	87,774.74	6,695.38	198.28¢	7.0	0.9	+8%	78.40¢	5.9%

AXA Group (CS.PA) Forecast Ratios

Year Ending	Revenue/Share	Price/Revenue per Share
31-Dec-12	€ 35.76	0.39
31-Dec-13	€ 36.75	0.38

 Data source FactSet Research Systems

 AXA Group (CS.PA) stock chart 1 year

AXA Shares Trends & Recommendations

Key Statistics for AXA Shares

About AXA Insurance Group

AXA Group, through its subsidiaries, provides insurance and asset management services. Its Life & Savings segment offers term life, whole life, universal life, endowment, disability, deferred and immediate annuities, and other investment-based products; and critical illness and permanent health insurance products for individual and commercial clients. The company’s Property & Casualty segment provides motor, household, property, and general liability insurance; health products; and engineering services to support prevention policies in companies.

AXA Group’s International Insurance segment offers coverage to large national and international corporations primarily relating to property damage, third party liability, marine, aviation and transport, construction and financial risk, and directors and officers liability, as well as provides loss-prevention and risk management services. It also offers assistance services, including medical aid for travelers, automobile-related road assistance, home assistance, and health-related services primarily to banking and insurance companies, tour operators, telecommunication operators, and automobile manufacturers, as well as to gas, water, and electricity utilities. In addition, this segment manages a book of reinsurance contracts of variable annuities with guaranteed minimum death and income benefits.

The company’s Asset Management segment provides investment management and related services to individual investors, and private and institutional clients; research portfolio analysis and brokerage-related services for institutional investors; and equity capital markets services for issuers of publicly traded securities. AXA Group’s Banking segment offers a range of retail banking products, such as current and savings accounts, mortgage loans, and mutual funds. The company operates primarily in Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. AXA Group was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

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