The Hartford Financial Services (HIG) recently sharply raised guidance for the fourth quarter. The company trades with a PEG ratio of just 0.64.
Company Description
The Hartford provides insurance and investment products to customers around the world. Its insurance products include life insurance, group and employee benefits, automobile and homeowners insurance and business insurance. The company’s investment products include annuities, mutual funds and college savings plans.
The Hartford Raised Fourth Quarter Guidance
On Jan 12, The Hartford announced it was raising its fourth quarter earnings per share estimate to between $1.45 and $1.60 from 65 cents to 80 cents.
The increase was driven by strong results in the property and casualty divisions. The Hartford saw its core businesses perform well in the quarter. It was also the third consecutive quarter of improving results.
On the investment side, The Hartford saw a better-than-expected performance in its private equity and hedge funds and smaller losses on real estate-oriented funds.
Zacks Consensus Estimates Jump After New Guidance
Given the increase in guidance, it’s not a surprise that the Zacks Consensus Estimates are jumping. Fourth quarter estimates rose to $1.39 from 83 cents in the last month. This is below the company’s earnings guidance range but estimate revisions are still being made by analysts.
The full year climbed to $1.32 from 95 cents. It might seem unusual to see a full year estimate actually below the fourth quarter estimate but The Hartford saw losses in its first 2 quarters.
Analysts expect big things in 2010, as earnings are expected to grow by 197.29%. The 2010 Zacks Consensus Estimate is up 20 cents to $3.92 from $3.72 per share in the last month.
The Hartford is expected to report its fourth quarter results on Feb 8 after the bell.
Value Fundamentals
The Hartford is a Zacks #1 Rank (strong buy) stock. It is trading at just 7x forward earnings with a price-to-book ratio of 0.85. The Hartford also rewards shareholders with a dividend yield of 0.70%.
Tracey Ryniec is the Value Stock Strategist for Zacks.com. She is also the Editor in charge of the market-beating Zacks Value Trader service.
