Q1 Earnings Forecast for Unum Group Issued By Zacks Research

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) – Research analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for Unum Group in a research note issued on Thursday, February 19th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the financial services provider will post earnings per share of $2.11 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $2.17. The consensus estimate for Unum Group’s current full-year earnings is $9.14 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Unum Group’s Q2 2026 earnings at $2.21 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.25 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.31 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $8.88 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $2.34 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $9.84 EPS.

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

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on UNM. Evercore set a $103.00 price target on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Friday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Unum Group from $92.00 to $90.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Unum Group from $98.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered Unum Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $96.75.

Unum Group Stock Performance

UNM opened at $73.66 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $12.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.33, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.20. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $76.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $75.18. 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 has a 52-week low of $66.81 and a 52-week high of $84.48.

Unum Group declared that its board has initiated a share buyback program on Thursday, December 4th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to buy up to 8.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 30th were issued a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 30th. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 43.29%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Cynthia Egan sold 9,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.00, for a total transaction of $657,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 42,846 shares in the company, valued at $3,127,758. The trade was a 17.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Walter Lynn Rice, Jr. sold 900 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owned 8,940 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $657,090. This represents a 9.15% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 14,400 shares of company stock valued at $1,049,760 in the last three months. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unum Group

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Algebris UK Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 95.7% in the 3rd quarter. Algebris UK Ltd. now owns 389,463 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $30,269,000 after acquiring an additional 190,454 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue grew its position in Unum Group by 53.5% during the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 69,128 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $5,376,000 after purchasing an additional 24,101 shares during the last quarter. Swedbank AB acquired a new position in Unum Group in the third quarter valued at $14,644,000. Strs Ohio raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 12.2% in the second quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 44,360 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,583,000 after buying an additional 4,814 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vest Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 5.5% in the third quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 653,527 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $50,831,000 after buying an additional 33,807 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.57% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Unum Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Institutional/hedge-fund interest — An article highlights why hedge funds favor Unum, which can support demand for the shares and provide a catalyst for outperformance if funds increase positions or spotlight the name for other investors. What Makes Unum Group (UNM) Highly Favored by Hedge Funds
• Neutral Sentiment: Directors still hold sizable equity despite recent sales — While two directors trimmed positions, both remain substantial shareholders (tens of thousands of shares), which limits the immediate governance/insider-control impact and suggests sales may be for diversification or personal liquidity rather than a lack of confidence. Cynthia Egan Form 4 Timothy F. Keaney Form 4
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sales disclosed — Director Cynthia Egan sold 9,000 shares (~17% haircut to her position) at an average $73.00 and Director Timothy Keaney sold 4,500 shares (~10% haircut) at ~$72.58. Large/timed insider sales can be interpreted negatively by investors, especially when coupled with downward analyst revisions. Cynthia Egan Form 4 Timothy F. Keaney Form 4
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research cuts EPS estimates across multiple quarters and fiscal years — Zacks lowered Q1–Q4 2026 and FY2026 estimates and also trimmed FY2027 and quarterly projections. The downward revisions (FY2026 to $8.88 from $9.08; FY2027 to $9.84 from $9.99) increase near-term earnings risk versus consensus and could pressure the stock multiple if others follow. (Source: Zacks research notes)

About Unum Group

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.