The Investor
27 Oct 2026, 09:55
The Hartford Edges 0.04% Higher After Hours as Net Income Rises and Dividend Increases 12%
The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) shares rose about 0.04% in after-hours trading after the insurer reported strong third-quarter 2026 net income, solid premium growth and a double-digit dividend increase.
Net income available to common stockholders rose 23% year over year to $1.32 billion, or $4.82 per diluted share. Core earnings were weaker, however, declining 6% to $956 million, while core EPS slipped to $3.50 from $3.59.
Property & Casualty written premiums increased 4%, led by 6% growth in Business Insurance. The Business Insurance combined ratio was 91.3, while Personal Insurance posted a 93.2 combined ratio and improved its underlying combined ratio to 87.1.
Higher catastrophe losses weighed on underwriting results. P&C current accident year catastrophe losses rose to $198 million from $70 million a year earlier, while Employee Benefits also saw a higher loss ratio. These pressures were partly offset by stronger investment income, which increased to $850 million from $755 million.
Capital returns remained substantial. The Hartford returned $638 million to shareholders during the quarter through $475 million of share repurchases and $163 million of dividends. The company also raised its quarterly common dividend by 12% to $0.67 per share.
The essentially flat after-hours move appears to reflect a mixed reaction: stronger reported net income, premium growth and capital returns were balanced by lower core earnings and higher catastrophe-related losses.
The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) shares rose about 0.04% in after-hours trading after the insurer reported strong third-quarter 2026 net income, solid premium growth and a double-digit dividend increase.
Net income available to common stockholders rose 23% year over year to $1.32 billion, or $4.82 per diluted share. Core earnings were weaker, however, declining 6% to $956 million, while core EPS slipped to $3.50 from $3.59.
Property & Casualty written premiums increased 4%, led by 6% growth in Business Insurance. The Business Insurance combined ratio was 91.3, while Personal Insurance posted a 93.2 combined ratio and improved its underlying combined ratio to 87.1.
Higher catastrophe losses weighed on underwriting results. P&C current accident year catastrophe losses rose to $198 million from $70 million a year earlier, while Employee Benefits also saw a higher loss ratio. These pressures were partly offset by stronger investment income, which increased to $850 million from $755 million.
Capital returns remained substantial. The Hartford returned $638 million to shareholders during the quarter through $475 million of share repurchases and $163 million of dividends. The company also raised its quarterly common dividend by 12% to $0.67 per share.
The essentially flat after-hours move appears to reflect a mixed reaction: stronger reported net income, premium growth and capital returns were balanced by lower core earnings and higher catastrophe-related losses.
