The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Hartford (NYSE: HIG) and the rest of the insurance stocks fared in Q3.

The insurance industry absorbs and diversifies risk, providing financial protection against unforeseen life, health, property, and liability events. Profits come from underwriting—collecting more in premiums than paid in claims—and investing the 'float'. This cyclical industry benefits from 'hard markets' with strong pricing power and higher interest rates that enhance investment income. AI adoption is improving underwriting through sophisticated data analysis and reducing costs via automation. However, 'soft markets' and low rates create headwinds, while the industry faces elevated claims costs from climate catastrophes, inflation, and rising litigation expenses.

The 57 insurance stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 10.9%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

Hartford (NYSE: HIG)

Recognizable by its iconic stag logo that dates back to 1810, The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) provides property and casualty insurance, group benefits, and investment products to individuals and businesses across the United States.

Hartford reported revenues of $7.23 billion, up 7.1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 38.9%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ net premiums earned estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 3.8% since reporting and currently trades at $129.72.

Is now the time to buy Hartford? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Hamilton Insurance Group (NYSE: HG)

Founded in 2013 and operating through three distinct underwriting platforms across four countries, Hamilton Insurance Group (NYSE: HG) operates global specialty insurance and reinsurance platforms across Lloyd's, Ireland, Bermuda, and the United States.

Hamilton Insurance Group reported revenues of $667.7 million, up 30.2% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 10.3%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 12.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $26.53.

Is now the time to buy Hamilton Insurance Group? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF)

Spun off from MetLife in 2017 to focus specifically on retail financial products, Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF) provides annuity contracts and life insurance products designed to help individuals protect wealth, generate income, and transfer assets.

Brighthouse Financial reported revenues of $2.17 billion, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ net premiums earned estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $65.30.

Read our full analysis of Brighthouse Financial’s results here.

Assured Guaranty (NYSE: AGO)

Serving as a financial safety net for over $11 trillion in debt service payments since its founding in 2003, Assured Guaranty (NYSE: AGO) provides credit protection products that guarantee scheduled payments on municipal bonds, infrastructure projects, and structured finance obligations.

Assured Guaranty reported revenues of $207 million, down 23% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 12.2%. It was an incredible quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Assured Guaranty had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 7.5% since reporting and currently trades at $87.62.

Read our full, actionable report on Assured Guaranty here, it’s free for active Edge members.

CNA Financial (NYSE: CNA)

With roots dating back to 1853 and majority ownership by Loews Corporation, CNA Financial (NYSE: CNA) is a commercial property and casualty insurance provider offering coverage for businesses, including professional liability, surety bonds, and specialized risk management services.

CNA Financial reported revenues of $3.82 billion, up 5.4% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $44.17.

Read our full, actionable report on CNA Financial here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

As a result of the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has come down from frothy levels post-pandemic. The general rise in the price of goods and services is trending towards the Fed’s 2% goal as of late, which is good news. The higher rates that fought inflation also didn't slow economic activity enough to catalyze a recession. So far, soft landing. This, combined with recent rate cuts (half a percent in September 2024 and a quarter percent in November 2024) have led to strong stock market performance in 2024. The icing on the cake for 2024 returns was Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. Presidential Election in early November, sending major indices to all-time highs in the week following the election. Still, debates around the health of the economy and the impact of potential tariffs and corporate tax cuts remain, leaving much uncertainty around 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.