Hartford Insurance Group: A Leader in Property and Casualty Insurance
Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., a Connecticut-based company with a market capitalization of $39.6 billion, has a rich history dating back to 1810. Operating through various subsidiaries, it provides a comprehensive range of property and casualty (P&C) insurance, employee benefits, and asset management products across the United States. Over the past year, Hartford's stock performance has notably exceeded broader market indices, with a 27.6% increase compared to the S&P 500 Index's roughly 12.9% rise. Year-to-date in 2026, the stock has grown by 3%, whereas the S&P 500 has seen a slight decrease.
Hartford has significantly outperformed the Invesco KBW Property & Casualty Insurance ETF, which experienced an 8.5% increase over the last year and a 3.4% reduction year-to-date. On January 29th, following its Q4 2025 earnings report, Hartford’s stock climbed by 1.3%, buoyed by strong profitability and underwriting results. Core earnings surged by 38% year-over-year to $4.06 per share, aided by reduced catastrophe losses and favorable reserve developments in its Business Insurance sector. Improved performance in auto and homeowners sectors bolstered Personal Insurance, while net investment income grew to $832 million driven by larger invested assets and higher returns from alternative investments.
Analysts project a slight 1.4% decrease in earnings per share (EPS) for Hartford's fiscal year ending in December, forecasting $13.23 on a diluted basis. However, Hartford’s consistent surpassing of consensus earnings estimates over the last four quarters underlines its strong earnings surprise record. Among 26 analysts covering Hartford, the recommendation consensus is a "Moderate Buy," comprising 11 "Strong Buy" ratings, two "Moderate Buys," and 13 "Holds," reflecting a more bullish sentiment than two months prior.
On February 5, Meyer Shields of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an "Outperform" rating for Hartford and subtly increased the price target from $160 to $163, underscoring sustained confidence in the insurer's future prospects. Currently, the average price target is $150.45, positing a 6% premium over present pricing. The high-end target of $165 signals a potential 16.3% upside, indicating positive growth expectations in the face of regulatory compliance requirements and underwriting challenges associated with the insurance industry.