Strong sales and distribution force growth; Total new annualized premiums up 8%; Solid first quarter earnings CARMEL, Ind., April 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CNO) today reported net income of $112.3 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, in 1Q24 compared to a net loss of $0.8 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in 1Q23. Net operating income (1) was $57.5 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in 1Q24 compared to $58.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, in 1Q23. "First quarter results were among the best operating metrics we've delivered in the past several years with respect to Consumer and Worksite sales, our distribution force and new products," said Gary C. Bhojwani, chief executive officer. "Operating earnings benefited from growth in insurance product margins, reflecting recent sales momentum and expansion of the portfolio yield on five quarters of new money rates exceeding 6%. The only material item that offset our strong operating results in the quarter was $24.3 million of unfavorable mark-to-market pre-tax impacts on real estate partnerships within our alternative investment portfolio. These assets are delivering stable cash flows; however, the economic environment is pressuring their market values. Despite these impacts, total net investment income was up in the quarter." "Our financial health remains strong, as shown by our excellent capital position and growth in book value per diluted share. We remain focused on serving the needs of middle-income consumers and delivering sustainable profitable growth for our shareholders." First Quarter 2024 Highlights (as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year where applicable) Consumer Division new annualized premiums ("NAP") (4) up 7% and producing agent count up 8% Worksite Division NAP up 19% and producing agent count up 28% Medicare Supplement NAP up 24%, Medicare Advantage policies sold up 38% Returned $57.3 million to shareholders Book value per share was $21.81; book value per diluted share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss, (2) was $34.97 Return on equity ("ROE") of 18.8%; operating ROE, as adjusted, (5) of 9.7% Full year guidance remains unchanged FINANCIAL SUMMARY Quarter End (Amounts in millions, except per share data) (Unaudited) Net operating income, a non-GAAP(a) financial measure, is used consistently by CNO's management to evaluate the operating performance of the Company and is a measure commonly used in the life insurance industry.  It differs from net income primarily because it excludes certain non-operating items such as net realized investment gains (losses) from sales and change in the allowance for credit losses, changes in fair values of embedded derivatives and market risk benefits and the liability for a deferred compensation plan, and certain significant and unusual items included in net income.  Management believes an analysis of net operating income is important in understanding the profitability and operating trends of the Company's business.  Net income is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Per diluted share Quarter ended Quarter ended March 31, March 31, 2024 2023 %change 2024 2023 %change Income from insurance products (b) $             0.61 $              0.56 9 $        68.0 $       63.7 7 Fee income 0.10 0.13 (23) 11.3 15.5 (27) Investment income not allocated to product lines (c) 0.11 0.14 (21) 12.3 15.5 (21) Expenses not allocated to product lines (0.15) (0.16) (6) (16.8) (18.3) (8) Operating earnings before taxes 0.67 0.67 74.8 76.4 Income tax expense on operating income (0.15) (0.16) (6) (17.3) (17.8) (3) Net operating income (1) 0.52 0.51 2 57.5 58.6 (2) Net realized investment losses from sales andchange in allowance for credit losses (0.04) (0.11) (4.6) (12.7) Net change in market value of investmentsrecognized in earnings 0.11 (0.02) 12.4 (1.9) Changes in fair value of embedded derivativeliabilities and market risk benefits 0.57 (0.57) 64.0 (65.1) Other — 0.02 (0.4) 2.3 Non-operating income (loss) before taxes 0.64 (0.68) 71.4 (77.4) Income tax (expense) benefit on non-operatingincome (loss) (0.15) 0.16 (16.6) 18.0 Net non-operating income (loss) 0.49 (0.52) 54.8 (59.4) Net income (loss) $             1.01 $            (0.01) $      112.3 $       (0.8) Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 110.8 114.5 ____________________ (a) GAAP is defined as accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. (b) Income from insurance products is the sum of the insurance margins of the annuity, health and life product lines, less expenses allocated to the insurance product lines.  It excludes the income from our fee income business, investment income not allocated to product lines, net expenses not allocated to product lines (primarily holding company expenses) and income taxes.  Insurance margin is management's measure of the profitability of its annuity, health and life segments' performance and consists of insurance policy income plus allocated investment income less insurance policy benefits, interest credited, commissions, advertising expense and amortization of acquisition costs. (c) Investment income not allocated to product lines represents net investment income less: (i) equity returns credited to policyholder account balances; (ii) the investment income allocated to our product lines; (iii) interest expense on notes payable, investment borrowings and financing arrangements; (iv) expenses related to the funding agreement-backed notes ("FABN") program; and (v) certain expenses related to benefit plans that are offset by special-purpose investment income; plus (vi) the impact of annual option forfeitures related to fixed indexed annuity surrenders.   FINANCIAL SUMMARY (continued) Management vs. GAAP Measures (Dollars in millions, except per share data) (Unaudited) Shareholders' equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), and book value per share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), are non-GAAP measures that are utilized by management to view the business without the effect of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) which is primarily attributable to fluctuations in interest rates associated with fixed maturities, available for sale. Management views the business in this manner because the Company has the ability and generally, the intent, to hold investments to maturity and meaningful trends can be more easily identified without the fluctuations.  In addition, shareholders' equity excludes net operating loss carryforwards in our non-GAAP return on equity measures as such assets are not discounted and, accordingly, will not provide a return to shareholders until after it is realized as a reduction to taxes that would otherwise be paid.  Management believes that excluding this value from the equity component of this measure enhances the understanding of the effect these non-discounted assets have on operating returns. Quarter ended March 31, 2024 2023 Trailing twelve months return on equity (a) 18.8 % 21.8 % Trailing twelve months operating return on equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) andnet operating loss carryforwards (a non-GAAP financial measure) (5) 9.7 % 10.3 % Trailing twelve months operating return, excluding significant items, on equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensiveincome (loss) and net operating loss carryforwards (a non-GAAP financial measure) (5) 8.5 % 9.8 % Shareholders' equity $     2,367.7 $     2,031.8 Accumulated other comprehensive loss 1,480.3 1,664.4 Shareholders' equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss 3,848.0 3,696.2 Net operating loss carryforwards (311.2) (152.4) Shareholders' equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss and net operating loss carryforwards $     3,536.8 $     3,543.8 Book value per diluted share $         21.52 $        17.49 Accumulated other comprehensive loss 13.45 14.33 Book value per diluted share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss (a non-GAAP financial measure) (2) $         34.97 $        31.82 ____________________ (a) Calculated using average shareholders' equity for the measurement period.   Non-Operating ItemsNet investment losses in 1Q24 were $4.6 million net of a reduction in the allowance for credit losses of $1.5 million. Net investment losses in 1Q23 were $12.7 million including an increase in the allowance for credit losses of $1.5 million. During 1Q24 and 1Q23, we recognized an increase (decrease) in earnings of $12.4 million and $(1.9) million, respectively, due to the net change in market value of investments. During 1Q24 and 1Q23, we recognized an increase (decrease) in earnings of $64.0 million and $(65.1) million, respectively, resulting from changes in the estimated fair value of embedded derivative liabilities and market risk benefits related to our fixed indexed annuities.  Such amounts include the impacts of changes in market interest rates and equity impacts used to determine the estimated fair values of the embedded derivatives and market risk benefits. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO (Dollars in millions) Fixed maturities, available for sale, at amortized cost by asset class as of March 31, 2024 are as follows: Investmentgrade Belowinvestmentgrade Total Corporate securities $     12,557.8 $            574.9 $      13,132.7 United States Treasury securities and obligations of the United States government and agencies 232.8 — 232.8 States and political subdivisions 3,044.9 9.6 3,054.5 Foreign governments 94.8 — 94.8 Asset-backed securities 1,436.8 109.3 1,546.1 Agency residential mortgage-backed securities 683.3 — 683.3 Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities 1,189.0 481.4 (a) 1,670.4 Collateralized loan obligations 1,151.0 — 1,151.0 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 2,296.7 88.5 2,385.2 Total $     22,687.1 $        1,263.7 $      23,950.8 ____________________ (a) Certain structured securities rated below investment grade by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations may be assigned a NAIC 1 or NAIC 2 designation based on the cost basis of the security relative to estimated recoverable amounts as determined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).   The fair value of CNO's available for sale fixed maturity portfolio was $21.6 billion compared with an amortized cost of $24.0 billion.  Net unrealized losses were comprised of gross unrealized gains of $127.5 million and gross unrealized losses of $2,391.2 million.  The allowance for credit losses was $39.0 million at March 31, 2024. Statutory (based on non-GAAP measures) and GAAP Capital InformationThe consolidated statutory risk-based capital ratio of our U.S. based insurance subsidiaries was estimated at 391% at March 31, 2024, reflecting an estimated 1Q24 statutory operating loss of $4 million and the payment of insurance company dividends (net of capital contributions) to the holding company of $43.3 million during 1Q24. During 1Q24, we repurchased $40.0 million of common stock under our securities repurchase program (including $0.8 million of repurchases settled in 2Q24).  We repurchased 1.5 million common shares at an average cost of $26.98 per share.  As of March 31, 2024, we had 108.6 million shares outstanding and had authority to repurchase up to an additional $481.8 million of our common stock.  During 1Q24, dividends paid on common stock totaled $17.3 million. Unrestricted cash and investments held by our holding company were $223 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $256 million at December 31, 2023. Book value per common share was $21.81 at March 31, 2024 compared to $20.26 at December 31, 2023.  Book value per diluted share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (2), was $34.97 at March 31, 2024, compared to $33.94 at December 31, 2023.  The debt-to-capital ratio was 32.5% and 34.0% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.  Our debt-to-total capital ratio, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (3) was 22.9% and 23.1% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Return on equity for the trailing four quarters ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was 18.8% and 21.8%, respectively.  Operating return, excluding significant items, on equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and net operating loss carryforwards (5) for the trailing four quarters ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was 8.5% and 9.8%, respectively. In this news release, CNO includes non-GAAP measures to enhance investors' understanding of management's view of the business.  The non-GAAP measures are not a substitute for GAAP, but rather a supplement to increase transparency by providing a broader perspective.  CNO's definitions of non-GAAP measures may differ from other companies' definitions.  More detailed information including various GAAP and non-GAAP measurements are located at CNOinc.com in the Investors section under SEC Filings. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws.  These prospective statements reflect management's current expectations, but are not guarantees of future performance.  Accordingly, please refer to CNO's cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements, and the business environment in which the Company operates, contained in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and any subsequent Form 10-Q or Form 10-K on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and on the Company's website at CNOinc.com in the Investors section.  CNO specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement because of new information, future developments or otherwise. EARNINGS RELEASE CONFERENCE CALL WEBCAST: The Company will host a conference call to discuss results on April 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  During the call, we will be referring to a presentation that will be available at the Investors section of the company's website. To participate by dial-in, please register at https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=1fa894a1&confId=64047. Upon registering, you will be provided with call details and a registrant ID used to track attendance on the conference call. Reminders will also be sent to registered participants via email. For those investors who prefer to listen to the call online, we will be broadcasting the call live via webcast.  The event can be accessed through the Investors section of the company's website: ir.CNOinc.com.  Participants should go to the website at least 15 minutes before the event to register and download any necessary audio software. ABOUT CNO FINANCIAL GROUP CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CNO) secures the future of middle-income America.  CNO provides life and health insurance, annuities, financial services, and workforce benefits solutions through our family of brands, including Bankers Life, Colonial Penn, Optavise and Washington National.  Our customers work hard to save for the future, and we help protect their health, income, and retirement needs with 3.2 million policies and $35 billion in total assets. Our 3,500 associates, 4,700 exclusive agents and more ...