Allstate Corporation (ALL) is well-positioned for growth driven by improving underwriting profitability, rising investment income, and solid policy growth. The company reached 216 million policies in force in Q2 with a 9.9% increase in issued applications. Net investment income surged 33.8% to $1 billion in Q2, while the company repurchased $1 billion in stock. ALL trades at a valuation discount with a forward P/E of 8.73X versus its five-year median of 10.90X and has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Principal Financial Group is expanding its Featured Partner Program to integrate private-market investment strategies into defined-contribution retirement plans through collective investment trusts. The expansion partners with major asset managers including Blackstone, Apollo, KKR, and others to offer plan sponsors diversified investment options, potentially driving asset growth and fee opportunities for PFG's Retirement and Income Solutions business.

Marita Zuraitis, CEO of Horace Mann Educators Corporation, sold 7,500 shares worth $395,000 on July 1, 2026, at $52.62 per share. The sale represents 2.3% of her holdings and follows a 33% one-year stock gain. The transaction is part of a regular monthly diversification pattern established under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, rather than a sign of concern. The company reported strong Q1 earnings with record core earnings of $1.28 per share, up 20%, and maintained full-year guidance.

Director Victor Fetter of Horace Mann Educators Corporation purchased 3,500 shares for approximately $150,000 on February 25, 2026, marking his sixth open-market buy since September 2023. The purchase increased his direct holdings by 18.63% to 22,291 shares. The educator-focused insurance company reported mixed Q4 2025 results with revenue slightly missing estimates but beating on earnings, and announced a 3% dividend increase.

The article recommends three lesser-known dividend stocks as defensive plays during market volatility: Hancock Whitney Corp. (2.53% yield), NewMarket Corp. (2.01% yield), and Horace Mann Educators Corp. (3.25% yield). Each company demonstrates strong fundamentals, sustainable dividend payouts, and growth potential despite recent market headwinds.

Horace Mann (HMN) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of -22.08% and 3.10%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 2024. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?

Assurant (AIZ) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of 23.51% and 2.62%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 2024. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?

HCI Group's (HCI) first-quarter results are likely to benefit from solid performances across all its business units.

Assurant's (AIZ) first-quarter performance is likely to have benefited from higher yields in fixed maturity securities, lender-placed average insured values and organic growth across all products.

Horace Mann (HMN) possesses the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.

Cboe Global's (CBOE) Q1 results are likely to reflect improved index options trading volumes, higher physical port fees and proprietary market data fees, as well as strong proprietary products.

Better pricing, exposure growth, accelerated digitalization and sturdy capital are expected to help AFL, AXS, HMN and PRI outperform first-quarter earnings estimates.