New York based The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) is one of the leading writer of auto and homeowners’ insurance through independent agents as well as writer of commercial U.S. property-casualty insurance.
Travelers’ impressive inorganic growth story bodes well for long-term growth. While its prudent acquisitions help to expand in the attractive and growing market place outside the United States as well, the same bear testimony of its solid capital and liquid position.
Travelers’ focus on reducing operating expenses and acquisition costs in order to improve underwriting margins bodes well for to have more competitively priced product in its portfolio. However, exposure to catastrophe loss always remains a concern as occurrence of any dent underwriting results.
Currently, Travelers has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could definitely change following its earnings report which was just released. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:
Bottom Line Misses Expectation
Travelers missed earnings. Our consensus called for EPS of $2.68 per share, and the company reported EPS of $2.46 per share. However, bottom line improved 13.9% year over year.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
The Travelers Companies, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | TRV
Revenues Beat
Revenues of $7.3 billion outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.2 billion.
Key Stats to Note
• Net written premiums of $6.8 billion, up 5.1% year over year.
• Underwriting profit came in at $258 million, up 22.3% from the year-ago quarter.
•  Combined ratio improved by 50 basis points to 95.5%.
• Adjusted book value per share improved 3.7% year over year to $84.54 as on Mar 31, 2018.
•  Returned $598 million in capital to shareholders.
•  Quarterly dividend declared was 77 cents per share, which marked an increase of 7%.
