July 18, 2024
Top 10 Stock Unum Group Strong Buy Recommendation
How to read the ranks
For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Snapshot: Unum Group – Top 10 Stock in Dow Jones U.S. Insurance Index
Unum Group is listed as a top 10 stock on July 18, 2024 in the market index D.J. US Insurance because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, it is a solid investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is low, despite a currently slow growth momentum. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 96 (top 96% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Unum Group on July 18, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | USA |
| Industry | Life & Health Insurance |
| Index | Dividends USA, Diversity USA, D.J. US Insurance, S&P 500 |
| Size class | XX-Large |
When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).
For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).
360° View: Obermatt 360° View Unum Group Strong Buy
| 360 METRICS | July 18, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 94 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 35 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 91 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 82 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 96 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 96 (better than 96% compared with alternatives) for 2022, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Unum Group are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half of the indicators below and half above average for Unum Group. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 94, which means that the share price of Unum Group is on the lower side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is lower than for 94% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The company is also safely financed with a Safety rank of 91. In addition, professional market sentiment is above average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 82. But the consolidated Growth Rank has a low rank of 35, which means that the company is below average in terms of growth and momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth as well as stock returns. 65 of its competitors have better growth. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 96, Unum Group is better positioned than 96% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. Three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks show above-average performance. The stock has as good value (Value Rank of 94), secure financing practices (Safety Rank of 91), and positive market sentiment in the professional investor community (Sentiment Rank of 82). It is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is limited, and disappointments are less likely to occur. The company’s growth expectations are below the industry average (Growth Rank of 35), but that could also be temporary since professional investors remain optimistic despite the low growth numbers. The low price as reflected in the good Value Rank could indicate that the company's future is challenging. The below-par growth performance may be the reason for this. Companies that grow less are typically cheaper than fast-growing competitors. We recommend evaluating whether the future of Unum Group is as difficult as the stock’s low price suggests, despite the positive professional investor sentiment. Since the professional community is optimistic, you might have less to worry about, and the stock may just go through a more challenging phase now, indicating good timing. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Unum Group very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 82 (better than 82% compared with alternatives) for 2022, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Unum Group is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Unum Group. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 67 (better than 67% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. In addition, Analyst Opinions Change has a rank of 59, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better in recommending investing in the company. In other words, they are getting even more optimistic about investments in Unum Group. Finally, the Professional Investors rank is 90, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 90% of alternative investment opportunities. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 82 (more positive than 82% compared with investment alternatives), Unum Group has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. But there is also a signal for caution. Market Pulse has a rank of 37, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks tend to be negative when discussing this company (more negative news than for 63% of competitors). This could mean future risks and should make investors careful. Attention to negative news for Unum Group is worthwhile because they may be early warning signals. Without those, all other professional signals are encouraging, especially since analysts are getting more optimistic. ...read more
Value Strategy: Unum Group Stock Price Value at the top
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 94 (better than 94% compared with alternatives) for 2022, Unum Group shares are significantly less expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators that are all above average for Unum Group. Price-to-Sales is 51 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 51% of comparable companies, indicating a good value for Unum Group's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits, more favorable than for 95% of alternatives, and this is also true for the Price-to-Book capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Capital Rank of 86. Compared with other companies in the same industry, dividend yields of Unum Group are expected to be higher than for 80% of all competitors (a Dividend Yield rank of 80). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 94, is a buy recommendation based on Unum Group's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Since all value metrics are above the industry average, there is no objection to investing in Unum Group based on its detailed value metrics.
Growth Strategy: Unum Group Growth Momentum low
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 35 (better than 35% compared with alternatives), Unum Group shows a below-average growth dynamic in its industry. There is limited momentum in this company. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Unum Group. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 65, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 25% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 34 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 66% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 25 and Stock Returns with a rank of 44 are also low (below 56% of alternative investments). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 35, is a hold recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The good news from the invested capital side is surprising. A company with disappointing revenues, profits, and disappointed shareholders typically doesn't invest above average. Overall, the growth momentum for Unum Group is thus negative. As it is intriguing to see that company executives are optimistic about their investment policy, it is worthwhile looking into the details of the capital investment projects. They may indicate future growth and profits and thus if accompanied by a good value, a sign of good timing to invest in the stock. ...read more
Safety Strategy: Unum Group Debt Financing Safety very solid
| SAFETY METRICS | July 18, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 70 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 92 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 52 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 91 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 91 (better than 91% compared with alternatives) for 2022, the company Unum Group has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Unum Group is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, where all three are above average for Unum Group. Leverage is at 70, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 70% of its competitors. Refinancing is at a rank of 92, meaning that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 92% of its competitors. Finally, Liquidity is also good at a rank of 52, which means that the company generates more profit to service its debt than 52% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 91 (better than 91% compared with alternatives), Unum Group has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. These three positive financing indicators signal that the company is less likely to default on its debt obligations. However, it also means that its shareholder returns will be more modest if things go well. A low safety means fewer troubles in downtimes and less upside in good times. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: Unum Group Top Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | July 18, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 94 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 35 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 52 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 96 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 96 (better than 96% compared with investment alternatives), Unum Group (Life & Health Insurance, USA) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Unum Group are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 94 (better than 94% of alternatives), are safely financed (Safety Rank of 91, which means low debt burdens), but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 35). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 96, is a strong buy recommendation based on Unum Group's financial characteristics. As the company Unum Group's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 94) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 35) while being safely financed (Obermatt Safety Rank of 91), it may be a safer investment because companies with low debt can better withstand times of crises. Yet the good value, better than 94% of comparable companies, may also indicate that the company's future is challenging. If you believe that low growth is temporary or just due to a specific current event, you may conclude that the good value of the stock provides an attractive investment opportunity and the downside is limited due to below-average financing risks. ...read more
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