The Zacks Insurance industry is undervalued than the Zacks S&P 500 composite and the Zacks Finance sector. The insurance industry's price-to-book (the best multiple for valuing insurers because of their unpredictable financial results) of 1.57 was less than the Zacks S&P 500 composite's P/B of 8.57 and the sector's P/B of 3.65. Such below-market positioning hints at room for an upside in the days ahead.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Thus, before their valuation increases, locating some undervalued stocks with growth potential is wise.
Driving Forces
Global commercial insurance rates remained unchanged in the second quarter of 2024, per the Marsh Global Insurance Market Index. Price hikes, operational strength, higher retention, strong renewal and the appointment of retail agents should help write higher premiums. Per Deloitte Insights, gross premiums are estimated to increase sixfold to $722 billion by 2030.
Analysts at Swiss Re Institute predict premium volume to reach $4.6 trillion in 2024 and $4.8 trillion in 2025. Per the Swiss Re Institute, property and casualty insurers are anticipated to enhance profitability in 2024, with industry-wide return on equity (ROE) at 10% so far in 2024. For 2025, the Swiss Re Institute estimates an ROE of more than 10%.
According to Verisk's Extreme Event Solutions group estimates, U.S. onshore wind property losses from Beryl were within the $2-$3 billion range. Per Allstate, estimated catastrophe losses were $587 million for July alone from 20 events.
Multiline insurers benefit from a diversified portfolio that lowers concentration risk. While higher demand for protection products benefits sales and premiums of life insurance operations, better pricing and increased exposure to intangibles and cyber threats support premium growth of non-life insurance operations. Per the 2024 global insurance outlook published in Financial Services, U.S. demand for catastrophe reinsurance is expected to grow, putting upward pressure on prices.
The insurance industry is rate-sensitive. An improving rate environment is a boon for insurers, especially long-tail insurers. The Fed held interest rates unchanged at 5.25-5.5% at the December FOMC meeting. With a large invested asset base, investment income should remain healthy, ...
