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(Reuters) – Hartford Financial Services posted fourth-quarter profit that exceeded market expectations as the investment and insurance firm benefited from robust premiums and investment gains, sending its shares up 2.2% after the bell.
Its core earnings for the quarter ended Dec. 31 came in at $3.06 per share, compared to analysts’ average estimate of $2.44 per share, according to LSEG estimates.
Insurers usually see stable product demand irrespective of economic conditions, largely due to the prevalence of employer-sponsored and government-mandated policies.
Hartford’s net earned premiums stood at $5.43 billion in the fourth quarter, compared with $5.02 billion a year ago.
Its investment income surged 2% to $653 million, primarily driven by higher yields on the fixed-income portfolio.
“Our investment performance remains strong benefiting from attractive new money yields and a diversified portfolio of assets,” CFO Beth Costello said.
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