Why Unum (UNM) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term

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Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors alike.

Many investors also have a go-to methodology that helps guide their buy and sell decisions. One way to find winning stocks based on your preferred way of investing is to use the Zacks Style Scores, which are indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing types: value, growth, and momentum.

Why Investors Should Pay Attention to This Value Stock

Finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Unum (UNM)

Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, Unum Group (UNM) was created following the Jun 1999 merger of Provident Companies, Inc. and Unum Corporation. Along with disability insurance, the company provides long-term care insurance, life insurance, employer- and employee-paid group benefits and related services. Since Jan 2003, UnumProvident has been classifying its operations into five segments: Income Protection, Life and Accident, Colonial, Corporate, and Other. Effective Jul 1, 2005, the company modified its reporting segments to separate its United States business from its United Kingdom subsidiary, Unum Limited. The company's business operations are now segmented as follows:

UNM is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, with a Value Style Score of A and VGM Score of A. Shares are currently trading at a forward P/E of 6.5X for the current fiscal year compared to the Insurance - Accident and Health industry's P/E of 12.5X. Additionally, UNM has a PEG Ratio of 0.9 and a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 6.8X. Value investors should also note UNM's Price/Sales ratio of 0.8X.

Value investors don't just pay attention to a company's valuation ratios; positive earnings play a crucial role, too. Four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2023. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.05 to $7.75 per share. UNM has an average earnings surprise of 7.3%.

UNM should be on investors' short lists because of its impressive earnings and valuation fundamentals, a good Zacks Rank, and strong Value and VGM Style Scores.

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