On Thursday, CFRA, a well-regarded financial research firm, adjusted its price target for Allstate Corp (NYSE: NYSE:ALL), increasing it from $195.00 to $200.00, while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. The revised target price reflects a valuation of Allstate shares at 9.8 times CFRA's newly introduced 2026 operating earnings per share (EPS) estimate of $20.35 and 11.4 times their 2025 EPS estimate, which has been increased by $0.70 to $17.50. This valuation compares with the one-year average forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple and the peer average of 12.8 times.
The research firm has kept its 2024 EPS estimate for Allstate steady at $14.65 but has raised its fourth-quarter EPS estimate by $0.51 to $5.07. This update follows Allstate's second-quarter earnings report, which showed an EPS of $1.61, rebounding from a loss of $4.42 in the same quarter the previous year. Although the reported EPS fell short of CFRA's $2.12 estimate, it surpassed the consensus estimate of $0.36. The insurance company also reported a 12.4% increase in revenue, which exceeded CFRA's growth forecast range of 7%-12%.
Allstate's underwriting results showcased a significant turnaround, as evidenced by the second-quarter combined ratio of 101.1%, a marked improvement from 117.6% in the prior year, with catastrophes costs down by 21%. More notably, the underlying combined ratio, which excludes catastrophe losses, improved to 85.3% from 92.9%. CFRA has commended the measures Allstate has implemented to drive these enhancements.
The firm believes that the improvement in Allstate's underlying results will act as a catalyst for the stock, which is currently trading at approximately 10 times CFRA's 2025 EPS estimate and at a 22% discount to its peers. The positive developments in Allstate's operational performance have positioned the company favorably in the eyes of CFRA, as it anticipates potential for the stock to outperform in the market.
In other recent news, BMO Capital recently upgraded Allstate's rating from Market Perform to Outperform, reflecting optimism about the company's ability to leverage its past five-year transformation for customer acquisition growth. Meanwhile, CFRA, a well-regarded financial research firm, adjusted its price target for Allstate Corp, increasing it to $200.00 while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock.
Allstate also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.92 per share, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to its investors. However, Evercore ISI adjusted its price target for Allstate shares, decreasing it to $178 due to significant natural catastrophe losses. Despite these losses, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained their Outperform rating on Allstate, with steady earnings projections. These recent developments highlight the resilience and financial stability of Allstate Corp.
InvestingPro Insights
The recent analysis by CFRA on Allstate Corp points to a favorable outlook, and real-time data from InvestingPro further enriches this perspective. With a market capitalization of $46.12 billion, Allstate stands as a significant player in the insurance industry. The company's commitment to shareholder returns is evident, as it has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years, a testament to its financial resilience and strategic planning. Investors may find this particularly reassuring, as consistent dividend growth often signals a company's confidence in its future earnings capacity.
Moreover, Allstate's P/E ratio, currently at 15.8, is indicative of a valuation that may appeal to value-oriented investors, especially when considering near-term earnings growth. This aligns with CFRA's observation of the stock trading at a discount compared to its peers. Additionally, the company's revenue growth over the last twelve months stands at an impressive 10.79%, showcasing its ability to expand effectively in a competitive market. For those looking for more in-depth analysis, InvestingPro offers a suite of additional tips, including insights into earnings revisions by analysts and dividend growth metrics, which can be found at https://www.investing.com/pro/ALL.
InvestingPro Tips also highlight that Allstate is expected to see net income growth this year. This is particularly relevant as it aligns with CFRA's raised EPS estimates and signals potential for the company's profitability to improve. With Allstate's next earnings date approaching on October 30, 2024, these insights could be valuable for investors monitoring the company's performance trajectory. For those interested in a deeper dive, there are 9 additional InvestingPro Tips available that provide further analytical depth on Allstate's financial health and market position.
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