Let’s dig into the relative performance of Aflac (NYSE: AFL) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q1 life insurance earnings season.

Life insurance companies collect premiums from policyholders in exchange for providing a future death benefit or retirement income stream. Interest rates matter for the sector (and make it cyclical), with higher rates allowing insurers to reinvest their fixed-income portfolios at more attractive yields and vice versa. Additionally, favorable demographic shifts, such as an aging population, are driving strong demand for retirement products while AI and data analytics offer significant opportunities to improve underwriting accuracy and operational efficiency. Conversely, the industry faces headwinds from persistent competition from agile insurtechs that threaten traditional distribution models.

The 12 life insurance stocks we track reported a slower Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.1%.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 7.3% on average since the latest earnings results.

Aflac (NYSE: AFL)

Known for its iconic duck mascot that has quacked "Aflac!" in commercials since 2000, Aflac (NYSE: AFL) provides supplemental health and life insurance policies that pay cash benefits directly to policyholders for expenses not covered by their primary insurance.

Aflac reported revenues of $4.24 billion, down 1.8% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ book value per share estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Commenting on the company's results, Aflac Incorporated Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Amos stated: "Aflac delivered solid earnings for the quarter. These results reflect our focused execution of our strategy and thus creating long-term value for shareholders. We have attracted new business through successful product initiatives, including Anshin Palette (medical insurance), Miraito (cancer insurance), and Tsumitasu (life insurance) in Japan and group voluntary benefits, network dental and vision, as well as group life and disability in the U.S.

Interestingly, the stock is up 2.8% since reporting and currently trades at $119.44.

Read our full report on Aflac here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Primerica (NYSE: PRI)

With a sales force of over 140,000 licensed representatives operating on an independent contractor model, Primerica (NYSE: PRI) provides term life insurance, investment products, and other financial services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada.

Primerica reported revenues of $872.3 million, up 8.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. The business had a strong quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ book value per share and EPS estimates.

The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 1.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $281.14.

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

Weakest Q1: Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF)

Spun off from MetLife in 2017 to focus specifically on retail financial products, Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ: BHF) provides annuity contracts and life insurance products designed to help individuals protect wealth, generate income, and transfer assets.

Brighthouse Financial reported revenues of $2.10 billion, down 2.7% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 4.8%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ book value per share and EPS estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $63.13.

Read our full analysis of Brighthouse Financial’s results here.

Jackson Financial (NYSE: JXN)

Spun off from British insurer Prudential plc in 2021 after more than 60 years as its U.S. subsidiary, Jackson Financial (NYSE: JXN) offers annuity products and retirement solutions that help Americans grow and protect their retirement savings and income.

Jackson Financial reported revenues of $2.90 billion, down 22.6% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 49.8%. Aside from that, it was a slower quarter as it recorded a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Jackson Financial delivered the biggest analyst estimate beat but had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 1.6% since reporting and currently trades at $106.74.

Read our full, actionable report on Jackson Financial here, it’s free.

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 $3.61 billion, down 4.5% year on year. This print missed analysts’ expectations by 7.3%. It was a softer quarter as it also produced a narrow beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Equitable Holdings had the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. The stock is up 6% since reporting and currently trades at $44.

Read our full, actionable report on Equitable Holdings here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

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