One of the Unum office buildings is seen from the Lookout Street parking garage in downtown Chattanooga.Unum Group boosted third quarter earnings 11.5 percent over a year ago but net income was 3 cents short of the average projection by industry analysts for the company for the three-month period.
The Chattanooga-based insurer said today it earned $221.1 million, or 87 cents per share, in the third quarter. compared to net income of $205.7 million, or 78 cents per sahre, in the third quarter of 2013.
"Our third quarter results reflect a continuation of a number of the positive trends that began to emerge last year, including strong sales momentum, accelerating premium growth, and favorable risk results across much of the company," Unum CEO Tom Watjen said in a statement today. "As a result, we have continued to generate strong operating results, despite what remains an increasingly challenging interest rate environment. I am confident that the positive operating trends we have seen in the business are sustainable and that we can continue to deliver solid operating margins and returns in our ongoing businesses."