Lazard Asset Management LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Unum Group $UNM

Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) by 346.6% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 251,221 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 194,965 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Unum Group were worth $18,347,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNM. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC bought a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Triumph Capital Management purchased a new stake in Unum Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC lifted its position in Unum Group by 385.2% during the third quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 427 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 339 shares during the last quarter. 86.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Shares of UNM opened at $83.50 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.35. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $88.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $80.22. The stock has a market cap of $13.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.46, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.25. Unum Group has a one year low of $68.28 and a one year high of $93.21.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported $2.16 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.16. Unum Group had a return on equity of 12.56% and a net margin of 5.26%.The business had revenue of $3.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.92 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. Unum Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.600-8.900 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Unum Group will post 8.74 EPS for the current year.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 14th. Investors of record on Friday, July 24th will be given a $0.505 dividend. This is an increase from Unum Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $2.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 24th. Unum Group’s payout ratio is currently 47.09%.

Key Unum Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Unum reported second-quarter adjusted operating earnings of $2.16 per share, in line with consensus and above the prior-year figure of $1.92. Revenue of approximately $3.37 billion-$3.39 billion exceeded estimates of roughly $2.90 billion, helped by premium growth and strong performance in core insurance businesses. UNM Q2 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates on Solid Premium Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Premium income increased to $2.82 billion from $2.75 billion a year earlier. Unum also repurchased 2.5 million shares for $202.1 million during the quarter, supporting per-share results and signaling continued capital returns. The company reported strong liquidity and an estimated 480% risk-based capital ratio. Unum Reports Q2 Net Income of $256.9 Million as Revenue Hits $3.37 Billion
• Neutral Sentiment: Some valuation commentary suggests UNM may be about 14% undervalued based on earnings and buybacks, potentially providing longer-term support if operating execution remains strong. Unum Group Could Be 14% Undervalued
• Negative Sentiment: Unum’s FY 2026 adjusted operating EPS guidance of $8.60-$8.90 has a midpoint of $8.75, below the approximately $8.78 consensus estimate. The cautious outlook appears to have outweighed the quarterly beats. Unum Stock Dips as 2026 Guidance Trails Consensus
• Negative Sentiment: GAAP net income fell to $256.9 million, or $1.61 per diluted share, from $335.6 million, or $1.92 per share, a year earlier. Lower investment income and higher costs also weighed on results, raising concerns about earnings quality and future profitability. Unum Reports Q2 Earnings: Key Metrics

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have issued reports on UNM. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Unum Group from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, April 11th. Atlantic Securities set a $88.00 target price on Unum Group in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. UBS Group set a $94.00 price target on Unum Group in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and set a $106.00 price target on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Unum Group from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, April 6th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $98.17.

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.