The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Earnings Reports

The Hartford reported a strong first quarter 2026 driven by disciplined underwriting, distribution strength and investment income. Core earnings were $866 million ($3.09 per diluted share) with a trailing-12-month core earnings ROE of 20.3%. Business Insurance led performance: written premium growth of 6% overall, with small business up 8% and an underlying combined ratio of 89.4%; middle & large grew 5% with a 91.3 underlying combined ratio; Global Specialty grew 3% with mid-80s margins. Personal Insurance showed an improved underlying combined ratio (85%), with home strong (+4% written premium) but auto down 10% amid a competitive market; agency growth was +9% and the agency product rollout is live in 15 states (30 states planned by early 2027). Employee Benefits delivered a 6.9% core earnings margin, with strong life results, higher disability incidence (notably paid family & medical leave) and robust sales momentum (very strong quarter-over-quarter sales increases). Net investment income rose to $739 million, supported by alternatives and reinvestment at higher rates; portfolio yield excluding LPs was 4.5%. Capital actions: $450 million of share repurchases in Q1 (3.3M shares) with $1.1 billion remaining authorization through year-end 2026; holding company liquidity $1.8 billion. Reserve activity included a $70 million increase for legacy sexual abuse-related general liability in one bankruptcy settlement; excluding that, favorable prior-year development was $75 million. Catastrophe losses were $230 million pre-tax (5.1 points), with small-business exposure to freeze-driven winter storms notable. Management reiterated disciplined underwriting, expense targets (expense ratio improvement toward sub-30% BI target by end of 2027), continued tech/AI investments to enhance underwriting and distribution, and a commitment to balance profitable growth with margin preservation.