CHICAGO, Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include the Reinsurance Group of America Inc. (NYSE:RGA-Free Report), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG-Free Report), Aon plc (NYSE:AON-Free Report), Brown & Brown Inc. (NYSE:BRO-Free Report) and Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. (NYSE:MMC-Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:
Reinsurance Group (RGA) Poised for Growth
We issued an updated research report on Reinsurance Group of America Inc. (NYSE:RGA-Free Report) on Aug 13. The life reinsurer reported second-quarter 2014 operating income of $2.23 per share, significantly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.06. In the year-ago quarter, the company had posted an operating loss of 99 cents per share. The quarter's results were driven by strong international earnings, both from Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific along with continued momentum in Global Financial Solutions.
Total revenue of $2.83 billion increased 9.4% year over year but was slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.86 billion.
The company is a leader in the U.S. Latin America Traditional market. The company has a successful product line expansion with market leading services, capabilities, expertise and innovation. In spite of a difficult insurance market, the company has grown net premium at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2009 to 2013.
In Canada , the company is market leader with solid growth and profitability. The company has a sizable in-force business, which would be a significant source of future earnings. Any new business is expected to add value.
In Asia, the company has a significant presence in Hong Kong , Japan , India , Korea and Taiwan . The company believes that economic growth and demographic trends leading to rapid growth in insurance market, protection and living benefits present abundant growth opportunities in this region.
However, the company ' s Australia business has been underperforming for quite some time, due to intensely competitive direct and reinsurance markets, complex product designs and weakening claims experience.
Moreover, evolving capital requirements from Solvency II regulations, continuing low interest rates and a significant exposure to foreign exchange can impart earnings volatility.
Nevertheless, the company ' s intelligent use of capital by way of regular share buyback and dividend payments have created value for shareholders.
The company has also witnessed an increase in earnings estimates. Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2014 has gone up 4% to $8.09 and the same for 2015 is up 1.4% to $8.69.
Reinsurance Group of America carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Arthur J. Gallagher on a Binge with 4 August Buyouts
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG-Free Report) continues with its acquisitions. The insurance broker has announced four acquisitions to date in August.
Acquisitions include certain assets of eastern Caribbean based Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers (widening presence into Antigua and Dominica), Connecticut based Cowles & Connell (enhancing wholesale geographic footprint and network), Missouri based Trip Mate, Inc. (helping foray into travel insurance market), and Colorado based Denman Consulting Services (augmenting employee benefits operations).
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. remains focused on international expansion through both acquisitions and organic measures. The company's international operations, primarily in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Singapore, New Zealand and the U.K., generated about 30% of its revenues. With this flurry of acquisitions, the number is expected to grow further.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.'s growth story looks impressive. While the buyouts widen its geographical footprint, these also support the enhanced portfolio of services, and strengthen its position in retail and wholesale insurance brokerage services and risk management industries.
In the second quarter of 2014, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. closed 17 acquisitions with annualized revenues totaling $497.1 million. In the ongoing quarter, the insurance broker wrapped up seven acquisitions including the above four and penned a deal for one more.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. expects its clean energy investments to contribute $99–$110 million to this year's net earnings that should in turn support its acquisition strategy. In addition, the company's cash balance – up 3.3 times from 2013 end – and retained earnings of $596.9 million (up 8.7% from 2013 end) bear testimony to its financial health.
Though earnings of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the second quarter missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and deteriorated from the year-ago earnings due to higher expenses, it has been witnessing upward revisions on strong fundamentals. The Zacks Consensus Estimate moved up as most of the estimates were raised in the last 30 days. It is currently pegged at $2.51 (up 2%) for 2014 and $2.93 (up 1.7%) for 2015. These translate to year-over-year improvement of 24.9% and 16.7% for 2014 and 2015, respectively. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is 14.6%.
With optimism surrounding the acquisitions, we expect analysts to raise their estimates exerting upward pressure on the Zacks Rank. The stock presently carries Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
As insurance brokers choose the inorganic route for growth, the takeover saga rages the space. This month, Aon plc's (NYSE:AON-Free Report) global risk management business, Aon Risk Solutions acquired a Lima-Peru based risk and insurance solutions provider, Grana y Asociados. In June, Brown & Brown Inc. (NYSE:BRO-Free Report) acquired select assets of Gaston & Associates. Also, Marsh Inc., the insurance brokerage wing of Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. (NYSE:MMC-Free Report) announced its intention to acquire a major stake in Panama-based Seguros Morrice y Urrutia SA (Semusa) in June.
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.
Get the full Report on RGA - FREE
Get the full Report on AJG - FREE
Get the full Report on AON - FREE
Get the full Report on BRO - FREE
Get the full Report on MMC - FREE
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article