The Panic-Proof Portfolio (Stockchase Research)Lincoln National Corp.LNCTOP PICKApr 22, 2025

They got hit a few years ago from the spike in interest rates. It holds great businesses, including life insurance and annuity. They have a huge capital buffer. Pays a nice dividend, around 4.5%. Will earn $8-9 and $10 in the near future, and trades around 4x PE. Solid cash flow, too.

Lifeco, around for 120 years. Retirement, disability, life insurance, annuities. Management change, now fabulous. PE is 5.5x going forward. 

Regulatory-based capital is 420%, well over what it needs to be comfortable. Should see dividend increases or share buybacks, or a combination. Cheaper than peers. Well run. Yield is 4.40%.

They changed CEOs a few years ago. The spike in interest rates unsettled their capital ratios, so shares slid in 2022, but they've been building their capital. Are in a steady eddy business, at a 5-6x PE and pays a 5.6% dividend. Has a book value of $47 (shares are below $32). Has recurring cash flow and a great brand. He expects them to raise the dividend and buy back shares.

The dividend is too high and the PE too low.

This insurance company is well known for annuities and life protection products. It has a cheap valuation and should benefit from rising interest rates as premiums can be invested at better values. They have a hard time distinguishing themselves in a competitive market.

(Top Pick Nov 9/16, Up 17%) She continues to buy it. The story is intact for rising interest rates and lower regulation. They are well positioned to do meaningfully better going forward.

(A Top Pick Sept 26/15. Up 24.97%.) A life insurer and she had the feeling that it was unloved. It was a value purchase. Moving forward, the fundamentals are still clear. Thinks there is good upside over the next several years.

This is still on her buying list, and one that she thinks has great upside to go.

She thinks there is interest in the life and integrated area. In the US there is the department of labour (DOL) ruling and this stock is immune to this ruling. They are well capitalized. It came down with the industry. There is interesting upside going forward.

Prefers Met Life (MET-N), but for similar reasons likes this as well. Likes Met Life’s international assets, most of which are growing faster than the core American business. Doesn’t expect a share buy back.

Well-run bank. All of the banks had a big run off the bottom, and are all trading at around 7 or 8 times earnings and all represent very good value. There has been a little bit of a concern recently that the housing market is slowing down a little. We are still building things sub the demo graphic requirement so he wouldn’t be overly worried about the housing market.