Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Insurance Stocks Q2 Results: Benchmarking Hartford (NYSE:HIG)

HIG Cover Image

Looking back on insurance stocks’ Q2 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Hartford (NYSE: HIG) and its peers.

The insurance industry absorbs and diversifies risk, providing financial protection against unforeseen life, health, property, and liability events. Profits come from underwriting—collecting more in premiums than paid in claims—and investing the 'float'. This cyclical industry benefits from 'hard markets' with strong pricing power and higher interest rates that enhance investment income. AI adoption is improving underwriting through sophisticated data analysis and reducing costs via automation. However, 'soft markets' and low rates create headwinds, while the industry faces elevated claims costs from climate catastrophes, inflation, and rising litigation expenses.

The 57 insurance stocks we track reported a mixed Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 3.5% on average since the latest earnings results.

Hartford (NYSE: HIG)

Recognizable by its iconic stag logo that dates back to 1810, The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) provides property and casualty insurance, group benefits, and investment products to individuals and businesses across the United States.

Hartford reported revenues of $6.99 billion, up 7.7% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.9%, but it was still a satisfactory quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share estimates.

“The Hartford’s second quarter results were outstanding, with core earnings reaching nearly $1 billion,” said The Hartford’s Chairman and CEO Christopher Swift.

Hartford Total Revenue

Interestingly, the stock is up 7.9% since reporting and currently trades at $130.93.

Is now the time to buy Hartford? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q2: Root (NASDAQ: ROOT)

Pioneering a data-driven approach that rewards good driving habits, Root (NASDAQ: ROOT) is a technology-driven auto insurance company that uses mobile apps to acquire customers and data science to price policies based on individual driving behavior.

Root reported revenues of $382.9 million, up 32.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.5%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and net premiums earned estimates.

Root Total Revenue

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 22.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $95.18.

Is now the time to buy Root? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q2: Equitable Holdings (NYSE: EQH)

Tracing its roots back to 1859 as one of America's oldest financial institutions, Equitable Holdings (NYSE: EQH) provides retirement planning, asset management, and life insurance products through its two main franchises, Equitable and AllianceBernstein.

Equitable Holdings reported revenues of $3.80 billion, up 5.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4.5%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 3.5% since the results and currently trades at $52.72.

Read our full analysis of Equitable Holdings’s results here.

Fidelis Insurance (NYSE: FIHL)

Founded in Bermuda in 2014 and designed to adapt nimbly to evolving market conditions, Fidelis Insurance (NYSE: FIHL) is a global specialty insurer and reinsurer that provides customized coverage across property, specialty, and bespoke risk solutions.

Fidelis Insurance reported revenues of $589.3 million, up 9.1% year on year. This result missed analysts’ expectations by 8.9%. More broadly, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ net premiums earned estimates.

The stock is down 2.2% since reporting and currently trades at $17.06.

Read our full, actionable report on Fidelis Insurance here, it’s free.

F&G Annuities & Life (NYSE: FG)

Founded in 1959 and serving approximately 677,000 policyholders who rely on its financial protection products, F&G Annuities & Life (NYSE: FG) provides fixed annuities, life insurance, and pension risk transfer solutions to retail and institutional clients.

F&G Annuities & Life reported revenues of $1.35 billion, up 12.6% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 13.8%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ net premiums earned estimates.

The stock is up 3.5% since reporting and currently trades at $34.32.

Read our full, actionable report on F&G Annuities & Life here, it’s free.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.