In-Depth Analysis of Lincoln National Stock: Insights from Analysts (7 Ratings)
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 07 2025
0mins
Should l Buy LNC?
Source: Benzinga
Analyst Ratings Overview: In the past three months, 7 analysts have provided mixed ratings on Lincoln National (NYSE: LNC), with 2 somewhat bullish, 4 indifferent, and 1 somewhat bearish. The average 12-month price target has increased to $43.29, reflecting a 6.02% rise from the previous target.
Financial Performance Insights: Lincoln National faces revenue challenges with a decline of approximately 11.5% over the last three months, although it maintains a strong net margin of 16.93% and a return on equity (ROE) of 8.73%, indicating effective cost management and financial health.
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Analyst Views on LNC
Wall Street analysts forecast LNC stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 40.670
Low
39.00
Averages
46.82
High
59.00
Current: 40.670
Low
39.00
Averages
46.82
High
59.00
About LNC
Lincoln National Corporation is a holding company, which operates multiple insurance and retirement businesses through subsidiary companies. Its segments include Annuities, Life Insurance, Group Protection and Retirement Plan Services. The Annuities segment provides tax-deferred investment growth and lifetime income opportunities for its clients by offering variable annuities, fixed annuities and indexed variable annuities. The Life Insurance segment provides life insurance products, including term insurance, indexed universal life insurance (IUL) and variable universal life insurance (VUL) products, linked-benefit products, and critical illness and long-term care riders. The Group Protection segment offers group non-medical insurance products and services, including short- and long-term disability, statutory disability and paid family medical leave administration. The Company’s Retirement Plan Services segment provides employers with retirement plan products and services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Lincoln National Corporation Q4 2025 Earnings Highlights
- Significant Earnings Growth: Lincoln National Corporation reported adjusted operating income of $434 million for Q4 2025, translating to $2.21 per diluted share, reflecting a 31% year-over-year increase that underscores the company's ongoing improvements in capital foundation and operational efficiency, boosting market confidence.
- Substantial Sales Increase: Annuity sales surged 25% for the year, with RILA sales up 35%, and fixed and variable annuities increasing by 11% and 27% respectively, indicating that the company's strategic focus on higher risk-adjusted margin products is yielding positive results.
- Strong Life Insurance Sales: Life insurance sales rose approximately 50% year-over-year, with executive benefits sales reaching $265 million, demonstrating sustained growth potential in the core life insurance business, with expectations for continued growth in Core Life sales in 2026.
- Clear Capital Return Strategy: Management anticipates continued growth in capital generation and free cash flow over the next two years, planning for at least $50 million in stock buybacks in 2026, reflecting the company's confidence in future developments and commitment to enhancing shareholder returns.
See More
Lincoln National Corp Reports Decline in Q4 Earnings
- Earnings Decline: Lincoln National Corp reported fourth-quarter earnings of $745 million, or $3.80 per share, a significant drop from last year's $1.675 billion and $9.63 per share, indicating substantial pressure on profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings: Excluding items, the adjusted earnings stood at $434 million, or $2.21 per share, reflecting challenges in cost control and operational efficiency that could impact future investor confidence.
- Revenue Drop: The company's revenue for the quarter was $4.922 billion, down 2.8% from $5.063 billion last year, signaling weak market demand and increased competition.
- Market Reaction: Given the notable decline in earnings and revenue, investors may adopt a cautious stance towards Lincoln National Corp's future performance, potentially putting pressure on the stock price and affecting the company's financing capabilities.
See More
Lincoln National Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Lincoln National reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $2.21, exceeding expectations by $0.31, which indicates a strengthening profitability and reflects the company's robust performance in a competitive insurance market.
- Slight Revenue Decline: The company's revenue for Q4 was $4.92 billion, down 2.8% year-over-year, yet it beat estimates by $70 million, demonstrating relative stability in revenue amidst market challenges, which enhances investor confidence.
- Positive Outlook: Lincoln National anticipates continued improvements in financial performance through 2026, indicating management's confidence in future growth, which may attract more investor interest in its long-term potential.
- Market Reaction: Following the earnings release, there is increased market attention on Lincoln National's high yield and low multiple, which could drive its stock price higher and further strengthen its competitive position in the insurance industry.
See More
Lincoln National Set to Release Q4 Earnings on February 12
- Earnings Announcement Date: Lincoln National is set to announce its Q4 2023 earnings on February 12 before the market opens, with consensus EPS estimate at $1.90, reflecting a 0.5% year-over-year decline, and revenue estimate at $4.85 billion, down 4.2% year-over-year.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Lincoln National has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time, although it has only surpassed revenue estimates 38% of the time, indicating stable profitability but challenges in revenue growth.
- Estimate Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and eight downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have experienced two upward revisions and three downward changes, reflecting market uncertainty regarding the company's future performance.
- Market Analysis Perspective: Despite concerns about overstated risks, Lincoln National is still viewed as maintaining solid performance potential leading into 2026, particularly in a market characterized by high yields and low multiples.
See More
New Annuities Linked to International Stock Indexes Are Now Available: Here's How They Function.
- Foreign Stocks Performance: Foreign stocks have significantly outperformed U.S. stocks in 2025, attracting investor interest.
- Investor Considerations: Many investors are contemplating increasing their international investments but are concerned about the associated risks.
See More
Lincoln Financial to Report Q4 and Full Year 2025 Results on February 12, 2026
- Earnings Report Schedule: Lincoln Financial plans to release its Q4 and full year 2025 results on February 12, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. ET, which will timely communicate the company's performance to the market and enhance investor confidence.
- Conference Call Details: A conference call is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. ET on the same day, providing a real-time opportunity for analysts and investors to interpret the earnings report, thereby increasing the company's transparency.
- Investor Relations Materials: Earnings materials will be available on the company's Investor Relations webpage, ensuring that all stakeholders can access key information promptly, promoting information symmetry.
- Customer Trust Base: As of December 31, 2024, Lincoln Financial has gained the trust of approximately 17 million customers, managing account balances of $347 billion, demonstrating the company's strong market position in the financial services sector.
See More
Lincoln National Corporation Q4 2025 Earnings Highlights
- Significant Earnings Growth: Lincoln National Corporation reported adjusted operating income of $434 million for Q4 2025, translating to $2.21 per diluted share, reflecting a 31% year-over-year increase that underscores the company's ongoing improvements in capital foundation and operational efficiency, boosting market confidence.
- Substantial Sales Increase: Annuity sales surged 25% for the year, with RILA sales up 35%, and fixed and variable annuities increasing by 11% and 27% respectively, indicating that the company's strategic focus on higher risk-adjusted margin products is yielding positive results.
- Strong Life Insurance Sales: Life insurance sales rose approximately 50% year-over-year, with executive benefits sales reaching $265 million, demonstrating sustained growth potential in the core life insurance business, with expectations for continued growth in Core Life sales in 2026.
- Clear Capital Return Strategy: Management anticipates continued growth in capital generation and free cash flow over the next two years, planning for at least $50 million in stock buybacks in 2026, reflecting the company's confidence in future developments and commitment to enhancing shareholder returns.
See More
Lincoln National Corp Reports Decline in Q4 Earnings
- Earnings Decline: Lincoln National Corp reported fourth-quarter earnings of $745 million, or $3.80 per share, a significant drop from last year's $1.675 billion and $9.63 per share, indicating substantial pressure on profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings: Excluding items, the adjusted earnings stood at $434 million, or $2.21 per share, reflecting challenges in cost control and operational efficiency that could impact future investor confidence.
- Revenue Drop: The company's revenue for the quarter was $4.922 billion, down 2.8% from $5.063 billion last year, signaling weak market demand and increased competition.
- Market Reaction: Given the notable decline in earnings and revenue, investors may adopt a cautious stance towards Lincoln National Corp's future performance, potentially putting pressure on the stock price and affecting the company's financing capabilities.
See More
Lincoln National Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Lincoln National reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $2.21, exceeding expectations by $0.31, which indicates a strengthening profitability and reflects the company's robust performance in a competitive insurance market.
- Slight Revenue Decline: The company's revenue for Q4 was $4.92 billion, down 2.8% year-over-year, yet it beat estimates by $70 million, demonstrating relative stability in revenue amidst market challenges, which enhances investor confidence.
- Positive Outlook: Lincoln National anticipates continued improvements in financial performance through 2026, indicating management's confidence in future growth, which may attract more investor interest in its long-term potential.
- Market Reaction: Following the earnings release, there is increased market attention on Lincoln National's high yield and low multiple, which could drive its stock price higher and further strengthen its competitive position in the insurance industry.
See More
Lincoln National Set to Release Q4 Earnings on February 12
- Earnings Announcement Date: Lincoln National is set to announce its Q4 2023 earnings on February 12 before the market opens, with consensus EPS estimate at $1.90, reflecting a 0.5% year-over-year decline, and revenue estimate at $4.85 billion, down 4.2% year-over-year.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Lincoln National has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time, although it has only surpassed revenue estimates 38% of the time, indicating stable profitability but challenges in revenue growth.
- Estimate Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and eight downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have experienced two upward revisions and three downward changes, reflecting market uncertainty regarding the company's future performance.
- Market Analysis Perspective: Despite concerns about overstated risks, Lincoln National is still viewed as maintaining solid performance potential leading into 2026, particularly in a market characterized by high yields and low multiples.
See More
New Annuities Linked to International Stock Indexes Are Now Available: Here's How They Function.
- Foreign Stocks Performance: Foreign stocks have significantly outperformed U.S. stocks in 2025, attracting investor interest.
- Investor Considerations: Many investors are contemplating increasing their international investments but are concerned about the associated risks.
See More
Lincoln Financial to Report Q4 and Full Year 2025 Results on February 12, 2026
- Earnings Report Schedule: Lincoln Financial plans to release its Q4 and full year 2025 results on February 12, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. ET, which will timely communicate the company's performance to the market and enhance investor confidence.
- Conference Call Details: A conference call is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. ET on the same day, providing a real-time opportunity for analysts and investors to interpret the earnings report, thereby increasing the company's transparency.
- Investor Relations Materials: Earnings materials will be available on the company's Investor Relations webpage, ensuring that all stakeholders can access key information promptly, promoting information symmetry.
- Customer Trust Base: As of December 31, 2024, Lincoln Financial has gained the trust of approximately 17 million customers, managing account balances of $347 billion, demonstrating the company's strong market position in the financial services sector.
See More
