Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Aflac (NYSE: AFL) and the best and worst performers in the life insurance industry.

Life insurance companies collect premiums from policyholders in exchange for providing a future death benefit or retirement income stream. Interest rates matter for the sector (and make it cyclical), with higher rates allowing insurers to reinvest their fixed-income portfolios at more attractive yields and vice versa. Additionally, favorable demographic shifts, such as an aging population, are driving strong demand for retirement products while AI and data analytics offer significant opportunities to improve underwriting accuracy and operational efficiency. Conversely, the industry faces headwinds from persistent competition from agile insurtechs that threaten traditional distribution models.

The 15 life insurance stocks we track reported a slower Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 4.9%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

Best Q3: Aflac (NYSE: AFL)

Known for its iconic duck mascot that has quacked "Aflac!" in commercials since 2000, Aflac (NYSE: AFL) provides supplemental health and life insurance policies that pay cash benefits directly to policyholders for expenses not covered by their primary insurance.

Aflac reported revenues of $4.41 billion, up 2.8% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.9%, but it was still a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ book value per share estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Commenting on the company's results, Aflac Incorporated Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Amos stated: "Aflac delivered very solid earnings for the quarter and the first nine months. These results reflect our focused efforts to execute on our strategy of creating long-term value for shareholders.

The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $109.84.

Is now the time to buy Aflac? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

F&G Annuities & Life (NYSE: FG)

Founded in 1959 and serving approximately 677,000 policyholders who rely on its financial protection products, F&G Annuities & Life (NYSE: FG) provides fixed annuities, life insurance, and pension risk transfer solutions to retail and institutional clients.

F&G Annuities & Life reported revenues of $1.69 billion, up 17.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 20.8%. The business had a very strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ net premiums earned estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 5.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $31.61.

Is now the time to buy F&G Annuities & Life? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF)

Spun off from MetLife in 2017 to focus specifically on retail financial products, Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF) provides annuity contracts and life insurance products designed to help individuals protect wealth, generate income, and transfer assets.

Brighthouse Financial reported revenues of $2.17 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and net premiums earned estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $65.26.

Read our full analysis of Brighthouse Financial’s results here.

Prudential (NYSE: PRU)

Recognized by its iconic Rock of Gibraltar logo symbolizing strength and stability since 1896, Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU) provides life insurance, annuities, retirement solutions, investment management, and other financial services to individual and institutional customers globally.

Prudential reported revenues of $16.24 billion, down 16.7% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 14.4%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ net premiums earned estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Prudential had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 5.7% since reporting and currently trades at $106.99.

Read our full, actionable report on Prudential here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG)

Spun off from insurance giant AIG in 2022 to focus on the growing retirement market, Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG) provides retirement solutions, annuities, life insurance, and institutional risk management products in the United States.

Corebridge Financial reported revenues of $5.63 billion, up 34% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 49.7%. Taking a step back, it was a slower quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Corebridge Financial achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 7.9% since reporting and currently trades at $28.51.

Read our full, actionable report on Corebridge Financial here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.