(Reuters) – Insurer Hartford Financial Services beat Wall Street estimates for fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, driven by stronger underwriting and higher investment income.
Insurance spending has remained resilient despite economic uncertainties, as businesses prioritize coverage to guard against risks such as natural disasters, cyberattacks and health emergencies.
The need to protect assets and ensure business continuity has sustained demand, even as inflation and high interest rates squeeze other discretionary spending.
Hartford said that the property and casualty (P&C) written premiums increased by 7% in the fourth quarter.
“Results were driven by sustained momentum in Commercial Lines, which once again generated strong top-line growth at highly profitable margins,” said Chairman and CEO Christopher Swift in a statement.
Meanwhile, Hartford’s net investment income before tax rose to $714 million in the fourth quarter from $653 million a year earlier, fueled by higher yields on its fixed-income portfolio.
Insurers typically allocate a portion of their capital across different asset classes, including fixed-income securities and equities, with returns often mirroring broader market trends.
The company reported core earnings of $2.94 per diluted share in the three months ended Dec. 31. Analysts on average expected $2.63 per share.
(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
