Beyond the Text: Beyond Profitability Rankings — What Really Drives Life and Annuity Returns
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Beyond the Text: Beyond Profitability Rankings — What Really Drives Life and Annuity Returns
Profitability rankings in life and annuity insurance often grab attention, but they can hide more than they reveal.
In this episode of Beyond the Text, Alyssa Gittleman speaks with Scott Hawkins, Head of Insurance Research at Conning, about what sits beneath headline profitability figures. The discussion unpacks how insurers generate returns through a mix of investment income, product design, reinsurance strategies, reserve movements, and separate account dynamics, and why two companies with similar results may be operating very different business models.
The conversation also explores why sustainability matters as much as performance, how growth and profitability can diverge, and why peer comparisons require a deeper look at the sources of earnings rather than just the end result.
In this episode of Beyond the Text, Alyssa Gittleman speaks with Scott Hawkins, Head of Insurance Research at Conning, about what sits beneath headline profitability figures. The discussion unpacks how insurers generate returns through a mix of investment income, product design, reinsurance strategies, reserve movements, and separate account dynamics, and why two companies with similar results may be operating very different business models.
The conversation also explores why sustainability matters as much as performance, how growth and profitability can diverge, and why peer comparisons require a deeper look at the sources of earnings rather than just the end result.
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This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an offer to sell, or a solicitation or recommendation of an offer to buy any security, product or service, or retain Conning for investment advisory services. This discussion may include predictions, estimates, or other information that might be considered forward-looking. While this content represents our current judgment on what the future may hold, it is not a guarantee and the investment market is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the content of this podcast, which reflects our opinions only as of the date of this presentation. Nothing contained herein is meant to be investment advice.
For complete details regarding Conning and its services in the U.S., you should refer to our Form ADV Part 2, which may be obtained by calling us.
Legal Disclaimer ©2024 Conning, Inc. This podcast and the software described within are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be distributed, reproduced, transcribed, transmitted, stored in an electronic retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the prior written permission of Conning. Conning does not make any warranties, express or implied, in this podcast. In no event shall Conning be liable for damages of any kind arising out of the use of this podcast or the information contained within it. This podcast is not intended to be complete, and we do not guarantee its accuracy. Any opinion expressed in this podcast is subject to change at any time without notice.
This podcast contains information that is confidential or proprietary to Conning (or their direct or indirect subsidiaries). By accepting this podcast you agree that: (1) if there is any pre-existing contract containing disclosure and use restrictions between your company and Conning, you and your company will use the information in this podcast in reliance on and subject to the terms of any such pre-existing contract; or (2) if there is no contractual relationship between you and your company and Conning, you and your company agree to protect the information in this podcast and not to reproduce, disclose or use the information in any way, except as may be required by law.
ADVISE®, FIRM®, GEMS® , CONNING CLIMATE RISK ANALYZER ® and CONNING ALLOCATION OPTIMIZER ® are registered trademarks of Conning, Inc. in the U.S. Copyright 1990-2024 Conning, Inc. All rights reserved. ADVISE®, FIRM®, GEMS®, CONNING CLIMATE RISK ANALYZER ® and CONNING ALLOCATION OPTIMIZER ® are proprietary software published and owned by Conning, Inc.
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an offer to sell, or a solicitation or recommendation of an offer to buy any security, product or service, or retain Conning for investment advisory services. This discussion may include predictions, estimates, or other information that might be considered forward-looking. While this content represents our current judgment on what the future may hold, it is not a guarantee and the investment market is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the content of this podcast, which reflects our opinions only as of the date of this presentation. Nothing contained herein is meant to be investment advice.
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