Principal Financial Group (PFG) reported second-quarter operating earnings of 73 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Results comfortably surpassed 59 cents earned in the prior-year quarter. Operating earnings were $237.3 million, up 25% from $190.4 million in the corresponding quarter last year.
Principal Financial delivered a strong quarter on the heels of double-digit earnings growth from Retirement and Investor Services and Principal Global Investors, followed by single digit growth at Principal International.
Including net realized capital gains of $21.4 million or 7 cents per share, net income available to common stockholders was $258 million or 80 cents per share compared with $134 million or 42 cents per share a year ago. The prior-year quarter included net realized capital losses of $69.3 million or 21 cents per share and other favorable after-tax adjustments of $12.9 million or 4 cents per share.
Operational Performance
Second quarter operating revenues improved 8.7% year over year to gross $2.15 billion. An improvement in premium revenue coupled with higher fee and other revenues aided the revenue climb.
Principal reported a 8% year-over-year growth in premium to gross $596 million in the quarter. Fees and other revenues surged 24% over prior year quarter to $654 million.
Net investment income in the quarter inched up 0.3% year over year to $899 million in second quarter 2011. Total expenses increased 6% year over year to $1.8 billion. Increase in commissions, amortization in DPAC and compensations contributed to the increase.
Assets under management were $335.8 billion as of June 30, 2011, up 1% from prior year quarter end. Improved results at three asset management and asset accumulation segments drove the increase.
Book value per share as of June 30, 2011, was $29.20, up 7% from $27.23 as of June 30, 2010.
Segment Update
Retirement and Investor Services: Revenues were $1.04 billion in the first quarter, increasing 2.2% from $1.02 million in the year-ago quarter. The improvement was largely attributable to higher revenues for the “accumulation businesses,” partially offset by decline in revenues in the Investment Only business.
Operating earnings increased 25% year over year to $161.3 million in the quarter. Higher earnings in every business line within the segment fueled the overall increase.
Principal Global Investors: Revenues in the quarter were $136.3 million, 19% higher than $114.8 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to higher management and transaction fees.
Operating earnings were $20.8 million, surging 69%, largely driven by an increase in assets under management.
Principal International: Revenues were $227.4 million, up 21% from $188.2 million in the prior-year quarter. An increase in assets under management contributed to the growth.
Operating earnings improved 7% year over year to $37.5 million driven by an increase in increase in assets under management and benefit from gains on the sale of bonds in the Brazilian joint venture.
US Insurance Solution: Revenues increased 14% year over year to $781.1 million in the quarter. The improvement was driven by stronger life insurance sales and positive trends in sales and lapses in Specialty Benefits.
Operating earnings inched down to $49.5 million in the quarter from $50.0 million in the year ago quarter. Lower earnings at Individual Life induced the decline.
Share Repurchase
In the second quarter, Principal Financial repurchased 7.7 million shares at an average price of $29.90.
Our Take
Principal’s strong franchise within the pension sector, aided by its diversification in both products and geography, positions it to benefit from the gradual recovery of the credit market. Decent capital levels also augur well. The company also scores strongly with the rating agencies. The company also remains focused on returning value to its shareholders through share buybacks.
Principal’s acquisition of majority shares in Finisterre Capital LLP, and Finisterre Holdings Limited expands its emerging market investment capabilities through the launch of new emerging market products and strategies on a wider platform. Acquisition of HSBC AFORE, S.A. de C.V. (HAFO) will enhance Principal’s presence in Mexico.
These acquisitions are in sync with management’s intention to strategically deploy $700 million of capital over a period of 1 year for appropriate merger and acquisition opportunities.
We maintain our Neutral recommendation on Principal Financial. The quantitative Zacks #4 Rank (short-term Sell rating) for the company indicates downward pressure on the shares over the near term.
Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Principal Financial Group Inc. provides an expansive range of retirement savings, investment and insurance products and services through its various subsidiaries. Lincoln National Corporation (LNC), which competes with Principal Financial, is scheduled to release its results after the market closes on August 2.
LINCOLN NATL-IN (LNC): Free Stock Analysis Report
PRINCIPAL FINL (PFG): Free Stock Analysis Report
Get all Zacks Research Reports and be alerted to fast-breaking buy and sell opportunities every trading day.
Be the first to comment