Hartford Financial (NYSE: HIG) reported Q4 EPS of $1.43, $0.11 better than the analyst estimate of $1.32.

• Fourth quarter 2019 net income available to common stockholders of $543 million ($1.49 per diluted share) increased 186% over fourth quarter 2018, and core earnings* of $522 million (core earnings per diluted share* of $1.43) rose 84% from fourth quarter 2018
• Full year 2019 net income available to common stockholders totaled $2,064 million ($5.66 per diluted share) and was up 15% over 2018. Full year 2019 core earnings of $2,062 million (core earnings per diluted share of $5.65) grew 31% from $1,575 million ($4.33 per diluted share) in 2018
• Net income ROE for the trailing 12-month period ended Dec. 31, 2019, was 14.4% and core earnings ROE* for the same period was 13.6%
• Book value per diluted share was $43.85, up 25% from Dec. 31, 2018; book value per diluted share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI)* rose 11% to $43.71
• During the quarter, The Hartford repurchased 1.8 million common shares for $110 million and paid $106 million in common dividends; for full year 2019, share repurchases totaled 3.4 million common shares for $200 million, with $800 million remaining under its $1.0 billion authorization
• A quarterly dividend of $0.325 per common share was declared, an 8% increase, for record date Mar. 2, 2020, payable Apr. 2, 2020
• In addition, The Hartford provided its outlook for 2020 key business metric ranges for Commercial Lines and Personal Lines combined ratios and Group Benefits margins

“2019 was a pivotal year strategically for The Hartford as we positioned the company with enhanced capabilities to strengthen our competitive advantages in a dynamic market environment\", said The Hartford\'s Chairman and CEO Christopher Swift. \"Group Benefits results were exceptional with continued margin improvement reflecting favorable incidence in group disability. Property & Casualty underwriting income improved 36% and the investment portfolio continued to perform well with strong partnership returns. We generated an annualized core earnings return on equity of 13.6%, an impressive result in the current market environment.\"

The Hartford\'s President Doug Elliot further commented, \"2019 was a very good year for our P&C businesses. Small Commercial continues to deliver industry leading financial results, products and capabilities. In Middle and Large Commercial we are maintaining positive traction across our industry verticals and in Global Specialty product breadth and underwriting expertise is deepening our relationships with distribution partners and customers. Personal Lines delivered excellent earnings in 2019 and new business continues to grow. I am very encouraged by the pricing momentum in both our Middle and Large Commercial lines and Global Specialty markets. We are well positioned to deliver profitable growth in the improving pricing market.\"

Chairman and CEO Christopher Swift further commented, \"Entering 2020, we remain focused on execution and integration of our recent acquisitions. The combination of continued investments to further enhance the capabilities of our platform, consistent financial performance and ongoing capital management will create value for the benefit of all stakeholders.\"

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Hartford Financial (HIG) click here.