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Research Alert: Lincoln National Q1 Results Reflect Turnaround Progress

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-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

LNC posted Q1 operating EPS of $1.66 vs. $1.60, topping the $1.58 consensus but missing our $2.08 estimate. Operating revenues rose 3.4%, due to 9.8% higher investment income, while premium revenues declined fractionally and fee revenues were flat. Life insurance staged a turnaround with $41M operating profit vs. a $16M loss, aided by better investment income, lower costs, and improved mortality trends. Annuity margins contracted despite 4% sales growth, with net outflows widening to $2.2B from $1.7B. Group Protection profits rose 11% on favorable claim experience, while Retirement Plan Services earnings surged 26% with improved net flows. We acknowledge LNC's operational turnaround progress, but the firm remains heavily exposed to equity market fluctuations without appropriate upside growth potential to justify that risk, in our opinion. LNC shares' beta of 1.2 is among the highest in the life insurance peer group.

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