Globe Life lowers 2026 earnings forecast; shares drop in morning trading

what happened

Globe Life stock slid 3.4% during the morning session after the insurer trimmed its full-year 2026 operating earnings outlook and reported lower third-quarter net income, according to StockStory, which cited the company's press release. Diluted earnings came in at $4.62 a share, versus $4.73 a year earlier, while net operating income edged up to $4.84 from $4.81.

The revised forecast now sits between $15.35 and $15.65 per diluted share, down from the earlier range of $15.55 to $15.95. Management pointed to an underwriting shortfall of around $16 million at Evry Health and close to $7 million of extra Medicare Supplement claims linked to processing delays at CMS.

The shares changed hands at $163.50, 3.6% below the prior close. The stock is up 18.1% year to date but remains 12.1% under its 52-week peak of $186.02, reached in August 2026.

why it matters

For traders, the main takeaway is the guidance reduction tied to health underwriting rather than the quarterly figures alone. Globe Life has rarely moved more than 5% in a single day over the past year, so a 3-4% decline suggests the market views the update as meaningful, even if it does not alter the longer-term picture of the business.

market impact

US insurance sector: the lower underwriting outlook weighs on Globe Life shares

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