Delphi Hikes Dividend - Analyst Blog
May 13 2011 - 6:45AM
Zacks
Yesterday, employee benefits provider Delphi Financial
Group Inc. (DFG) announced a quarterly dividend of 12
cents, marking a single cent increase from the previous quarter.
The new dividend, representing a 9% hike from the previous
quarterly dividend, is payable on June 8, 2011 to shareholders of
record as of May 25, 2011.
With an increased annual dividend of 48 cents per share,
Delphi ’s dividend yield stands at 1.6%. Delphi has been
consistently increasing dividends since its initiation of dividend
payment in 2001. The company has hiked its annual
dividend by an average of 16.7% over the past five years.
Delphi’s balance sheet solidity is derived from its long-tail
and stable group insurance liability. Its low debt-to-capital
ratio, which currently stands at 18%, also accounts for its
inherent strength.
Delphi had an excellent result for first quarter 2011, with
solid production and premium. Book value per share increased 2.9%
from the prior quarter to $27.35 as of March 31, 2011. Operating
earnings came in at 91 cents per share, in line with the Zacks
Consensus Estimate. Results for the quarter benefited from
improving payroll trends in small case market niche at Reliance
Standard and continued market share gains for Safety National’s
products.
Delphi competes with life as well as property and casualty
insurers. Reinsurance Group of America Inc. (RGA), StanCorp
Financial Group Inc. (SFG), Torchmark Corp. (TMK), and Unum Group
(UNM) are some of the life insurance peers of Delphi. Its property
and casualty competitors are American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG),
American Safety Insurance Holdings Ltd.(ASI), and W.R. Berkely
Corp. (WRB).
The stock of Delphi carries a Zacks Rank #2, which translates
into a Buy rating over the near term. However, over the longer term
(6+ months), we rate the stock Neutral.
AMER FINL GROUP (AFG): Free Stock Analysis Report
AMER SAFETY INS (ASI): Free Stock Analysis Report
DELPHI FINL GRP (DFG): Free Stock Analysis Report
REINSURANCE GRP (RGA): Free Stock Analysis Report
STANCORP FNL CP (SFG): Free Stock Analysis Report
TORCHMARK CORP (TMK): Free Stock Analysis Report
UNUM GROUP (UNM): Free Stock Analysis Report
BERKLEY (WR) CP (WRB): Free Stock Analysis Report
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