Insurance - Diversified
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Stock Comparison
UNMA vs LNC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Insurance - Life
UNMA vs LNC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance - Diversified | Insurance - Life |
| Market Cap | $5.30B | $6.87B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $13.30B | $18.88B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $781M | $1.73B |
| Gross Margin | 33.9% | 17.0% |
| Operating Margin | 7.5% | 12.1% |
| Forward P/E | 2.7x | 4.7x |
| Total Debt | $3.90B | $6.43B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $158M | $9.50B |
UNMA vs LNC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unum Group 6.250% J… (UNMA) | 100 | 97.0 | -3.0% |
| Lincoln National Co… (LNC) | 100 | 94.8 | -5.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: UNMA vs LNC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
UNMA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 20 yrs, beta 0.20, yield 7.6%
- Rev growth 2.1%, EPS growth -54.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 3.2%
- 44.0% 10Y total return vs LNC's 24.5%
LNC is the clearest fit if your priority is valuation efficiency.
- PEG 0.14 vs UNMA's 1.39
- Combined ratio 0.9 vs UNMA's 0.9 (lower = better underwriting)
- +11.0% vs UNMA's +2.8%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 2.1% revenue growth vs LNC's 1.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (2.7x vs 4.7x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Combined ratio 0.9 vs UNMA's 0.9 (lower = better underwriting) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.20 vs LNC's 1.34, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 7.6% yield, 20-year raise streak, vs LNC's 4.9% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +11.0% vs UNMA's +2.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 1.6% ROA vs LNC's 0.4%, ROIC 4.7% vs 12.0% |
UNMA vs LNC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
UNMA vs LNC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LNC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LNC and UNMA operate at a comparable scale, with $18.9B and $13.3B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 9.1% (LNC) to 5.9% (UNMA). On growth, LNC holds the edge at +12.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $13.3B | $18.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.1B | $2.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $781M | $1.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $539M | $243M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +33.9% | +17.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +7.5% | +12.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +5.9% | +9.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +4.1% | +1.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.0% | +12.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +33.0% | +100.0% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — UNMA and LNC each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.5x trailing earnings, UNMA trades at a 11% valuation discount to LNC's 6.2x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), LNC offers better value at 0.34x vs UNMA's 2.84x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.3B | $6.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $9.0B | $3.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 5.48x | 6.15x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 2.68x | 4.67x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 2.84x | 0.34x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.56x | 2.43x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.41x | 0.38x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.36x | 0.61x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 9.55x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
UNMA leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LNC delivers a 16.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $17 in annual profit, vs $7 for UNMA. UNMA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.35x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LNC's 0.59x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), UNMA scores 5/9 vs LNC's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.1% | +16.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.6% | +0.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.7% | +12.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.5% | +0.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.35x | 0.59x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.7B | -$3.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $158M | $9.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.9B | $6.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.48x | 15.29x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — UNMA and LNC each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in UNMA five years ago would be worth $11,772 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,476 for LNC. Over the past 12 months, LNC leads with a +11.0% total return vs UNMA's +2.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LNC at 24.9% vs UNMA's 6.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +2.2% | -18.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +2.8% | +11.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +19.7% | +95.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +17.7% | -35.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +44.0% | +24.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +6.2% | +24.9% |
Risk & Volatility
UNMA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
UNMA is the less volatile stock with a 0.20 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LNC's 1.34 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. UNMA currently trades 94.9% from its 52-week high vs LNC's 76.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.20x | 1.34x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $24.70 | $46.82 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $22.70 | $31.61 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +94.9% | +76.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 50.4 | 58.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 21K | 2.1M |
Analyst Outlook
UNMA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, UNMA offers the higher dividend yield at 7.55% vs LNC's 4.86%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $43.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 28 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +7.6% | +4.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 20 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.77 | $1.75 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +19.1% | 0.0% |
UNMA leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Risk & Volatility). LNC leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 2 tied.
UNMA vs LNC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is UNMA or LNC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Unum Group 6.
250% JR NT58 (UNMA) is the stronger pick with 2. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 2% for Lincoln National Corporation (LNC). Unum Group 6. 250% JR NT58 (UNMA) offers the better valuation at 5. 5x trailing P/E (2. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Lincoln National Corporation (LNC) a "Hold" — based on 28 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — UNMA or LNC?
On trailing P/E, Unum Group 6.
250% JR NT58 (UNMA) is the cheapest at 5. 5x versus Lincoln National Corporation at 6. 2x. On forward P/E, Unum Group 6. 250% JR NT58 is actually cheaper at 2. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Lincoln National Corporation wins at 0. 14x versus Unum Group 6. 250% JR NT58's 1. 39x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — UNMA or LNC?
Over the past 5 years, Unum Group 6.
250% JR NT58 (UNMA) delivered a total return of +17. 7%, compared to -35. 2% for Lincoln National Corporation (LNC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UNMA returned +44. 0% versus LNC's +24. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — UNMA or LNC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Unum Group 6.
250% JR NT58 (UNMA) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 20β versus Lincoln National Corporation's 1. 34β — meaning LNC is approximately 577% more volatile than UNMA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Unum Group 6. 250% JR NT58 (UNMA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 35% versus 59% for Lincoln National Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — UNMA or LNC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Unum Group 6.
250% JR NT58 (UNMA) is pulling ahead at 2. 1% versus 1. 2% for Lincoln National Corporation (LNC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Unum Group 6. 250% JR NT58 grew EPS -54. 8% year-over-year, compared to -68. 3% for Lincoln National Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, UNMA leads at 3. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — UNMA or LNC?
Lincoln National Corporation (LNC) is the more profitable company, earning 6.
5% net margin versus 5. 7% for Unum Group 6. 250% JR NT58 — meaning it keeps 6. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LNC leads at 7. 3% versus 7. 2% for UNMA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LNC leads at 57. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is UNMA or LNC more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, Lincoln National Corporation (LNC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 14x versus Unum Group 6. 250% JR NT58's 1. 39x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Unum Group 6. 250% JR NT58 (UNMA) trades at 2. 7x forward P/E versus 4. 7x for Lincoln National Corporation — 2. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — UNMA or LNC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Unum Group 6. 250% JR NT58 (UNMA) offers the highest yield at 7. 6%, versus 4. 9% for Lincoln National Corporation (LNC).
09Is UNMA or LNC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Unum Group 6.
250% JR NT58 (UNMA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 20), 7. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (UNMA: +44. 0%, LNC: +24. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between UNMA and LNC?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.