"Insuring" Future Growth - Research Report on Metlife Inc, Prudential Financial Inc, Lincoln National Corporation, Principal Financial Group Inc and Manulife Financial Corporation

NEW YORK, February 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Investors-Alliance announced new research reports highlighting Metlife Inc (NYSE:MET), Prudential Financial Inc (NYSE:PRU), Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC), Principal Financial Group Inc (NYSE:PFG) and Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Metlife Inc Research Report

MetLife reported better than expected Q4 2012 numbers, notably in revenues and net income. Earnings were up 10 percent year over year due to 21 percent higher operating earnings in the Americas and a 26 percent increase in the Europe, Middle East and Africa. Revenues of $18.36 billion were up 12 percent year over year as a result of a surge in premiums and net investment income. In the period, the company earned $10.59 billion in premiums, while net investment income came in at $5.18 billion. The Street rates the company as a "buy" from "hold," citing performance in cash flow and debt, as well as having reasonable valuation levels. The Full Research Report on Metlife Inc - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/9a5a_MET]

Prudential Financial Inc Research Report

Prudential, the second-biggest life insurer in the US, has found their replacement for outgoing chief financial officer Rich Carbone, who is retiring after 16 years in the job, with company treasurer Robert Falzon. The move is part of CEO John Strangfeld's management restructuring efforts to boost investment income and expand operations outside the US. Earlier moves involved the presidency of Prudential's commercial-mortgage business and the overseer of its $3.2 billion Latin American real estate investment unit. In addition, the company was able to score some lucrative business opportunities last year, with General Motors and Verizon deciding to outsource huge portions of their pension liability to Prudential, turning over billions of dollars in assets in exchange for annuities that will pay workers their pensions throughout the rest of their lives. The Full Research Report on Prudential Financial Inc - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/882d_PRU]

Lincoln National Corporation Research Report

Lincoln Financial has been selected by Meridian Health as its provider for its 403(b), 401(k), 457 and Supplemental Executive retirement plan programs. New Jersey-based Meridian, a non-profit healthcare organization, plans to serve 12,000 participants, which translates to about $410 million in retirement assets. Earlier this month, Lincoln Financial posted better-than-expected financial numbers, with operating earnings of $1.10 per share compared to $1.06, and an 11.9 percent increase in net income at $310 million. The company has been rated as a "hold" with a price target of $33, citing Lincoln Financial's efforts to diversify towards more attractive lines, as well as a 50 percent increase in dividends per-share and continued share buybacks. The Full Research Report on Lincoln National Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/2cc9_LNC]

Principal Financial Group Inc Research Report

Principal Financial recently moved up in market cap rank, taking over Sigma-Aldrich at number 332, at $9.15 billion. It also reached a new 52-week high of $31.61. In addition, Fitch Ratings gave an "A" rating due to sturdy capitalization and continued solid operational performance. Fitch adds the company will deliver sustained profitability on its growing fee-based businesses and a continued low interest rate environment and competition will weigh on earnings improvement in the near term. The Street, meanwhile, rates the insurer as a "buy" with its performance in stock price performance, earnings per share, revenue and net income. The Full Research Principal Financial Group Inc - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/0c88_PFG]

Manulife Financial Corporation Research Report

Manulife went up $0.27 or 1.8 percent to $15.49 last week, after the rally that came after the Canadian life insurer reported growth in its Q4 financial numbers. Net income came in at $1.11 billion up from a loss of $67.42 million in last year's fourth quarter. Core earnings of $540.22 million were up as well at 42% year over year, primarily led by increased fee income on higher funds under management and a significant improvement in new businesses. Insurance sales grew 49 percent year over year to $934.6 million, while Wealth sales were 31 percent higher year over year at $10.4 billion. The increases were fueled by record mutual fund sales in Asia, Canada and the U.S. and strong sales growth in pension businesses in North America. The Street rates the company as a "buy." The Full Research Report on Manulife Financial Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/4254_MFC]

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