On Wednesday, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods adjusted their price target for Assurant (NYSE:AIZ) shares, increasing it to $186 from $182, while maintaining a Market Perform rating on the stock. The firm's decision follows a period of impressive performance in Assurant's Housing sector, which has led to revised earnings estimates.
The firm highlighted a 3-7% upward revision in estimates after Assurant reported another quarter of robust Housing results. For the year 2024, they are forecasting a modest 3% year-over-year growth in the Lifestyle segment, with Connected Living expected to grow by 4%.
However, this growth is anticipated to be slightly offset by increased investment spending and Auto, which is projected to decline by 1% due to inflationary claims headwinds.
Despite these challenges, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods anticipates a strong 16% year-over-year increase in Assurant's Housing growth, excluding catastrophic events. This is supported by another expected combined ratio in the low-80s. This leads to an estimated 9% consolidated earnings growth for Assurant, excluding catastrophes, which is slightly higher than the company's guidance of the "high-end of the mid-single-digits."
The firm also commented on the valuation, noting that Assurant's stock is not expensive, trading at 10.3 times the firm's 2025 earnings estimate. However, they believe that investors might be holding out for further improvements in the growth of the Lifestyle segment, which is anticipated to be more of a story unfolding in 2025. Consequently, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods continues to recommend a Market Perform rating on Assurant shares.
InvestingPro Insights
As Assurant (NYSE:AIZ) navigates through its growth and investment phases, real-time data from InvestingPro provides a comprehensive snapshot of the company's financial health. With a market capitalization of $9.22 billion and a P/E ratio that has adjusted to 11.71 over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, Assurant demonstrates a balance of value and profitability. The company's revenue growth of 9.81% over the same period reflects a strong upward trajectory, complementing Keefe, Bruyette & Woods' positive outlook on Assurant's Housing sector performance.
InvestingPro Tips highlight Assurant's commitment to shareholder returns, marking a notable milestone of 21 consecutive years of dividend payments. This is a testament to the company's financial discipline and strategic focus. Furthermore, the analysts' upward revisions of earnings for the upcoming period suggest a consensus view that Assurant's financial prospects are on the rise. For readers interested in deeper analysis, additional tips on Assurant's financial performance are available, and users can apply the coupon code PRONEWS24 for an extra 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription at InvestingPro.
Despite concerns over weak gross profit margins and short-term obligations exceeding liquid assets, Assurant's profitability over the last twelve months and a strong return over the last five years indicate resilience and potential for long-term growth. The company's next earnings date is set for July 30, 2024, which will provide further insights into its financial trajectory.
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