Business
Citizens, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Citizens, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial
About this update from Citizens, Inc.
Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2026) - Citizens, Inc. (NYSE: CIA), a leading diversified financial services company specializing in life, living benefits, and final expense insurance, today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026. "Our underlying indicators of future growth continued to advance. We achieved our fifteenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year direct first year premium growth driven by our expanding sales force and increased direct renewal premiums. Book value per Class A share also increased year-over-year for the fourteenth consecutive quarter, and we've generated positive net cash provided by operating activities every year since 2004. These achievements demonstrate continued execution against our strategic roadmap," said Jon Stenberg, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our second-quarter results were affected by investment-market fluctuations and increase in future policy benefit reserves mainly due to growth in our Domestic Insurance segment and the comparatively large amount of reserves released in the prior year period as we paid out matured endowment and released the corresponding reserves." "Targeted investments in our strategic roadmap reinforce our leadership and are designed to drive clear growth of premiums and adjusted book value per share, and deliver long-term value for both our customers and shareholders," concluded Stenberg. Recent Business Highlights Increased global network of producing agents, up 6% since June 30, 2025. Direct insurance premiums of $48.1 million in Q2 2026, up from $46.4 million in Q2 2025, driven by sales of our newer product offerings and expanded distribution in our Domestic Insurance segment. Direct renewal premiums growth in Q2 2026, driven by strong sales in prior periods leading to a higher number of policies paying renewal premiums. Direct first year premiums have increased year-over-year for fifteen consecutive quarters. Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results Total revenues of $60.4 million in Q2 2026, from $65.1 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted total revenues, which excludes investment related gains (losses), of $61.9 million in Q2 2026, from $62.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Net loss of $0.4 million in Q2 2026, from $6.5 million net income in Q2 2025. Adjusted net income of $0.8 million in Q2 2026, from $4.2 million adjusted net income in Q2 2025. Total assets of $1.8 billion, cash and cash equivalents of $17.0 million and no debt at June 30, 2026. Book value per Class A share of $4.64 on June 30, 2026, increased from $4.56 on June 30, 2025. Adjusted book value per Class A share, which excludes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI), of $6.44 on June 30, 2026, increased from $6.22 on June 30, 2025. The Company has achieved fourteen consecutive quarters of book value per Class A share year-over-year growth. Total premium revenue increased in Q2 2026 driven by an expanding sales force and our newer product offerings, marking the fifteenth consecutive quarter of year-over-year gains in direct first year premiums. Direct renewal premiums also grew in Q2 2026, driven by strong first year sales in prior periods leading to a higher number of policies paying renewal premiums in the current period. Premium growth was constrained by unfavorable persistency in our Domestic Insurance segment, while the high level of surrenders and matured endowments in our International Insurance segment during the last few years has reduced the number of policies remaining in force and paying renewal premiums. Despite increases in premium revenue, total revenues of $60.4 million in the second quarter of 2026 declined from $65.1 million in the year-ago quarter. The decline was primarily due to the $3.9 million decline in investment related gains (losses) resulting from market value changes in limited partnership assets that were not sold. Excluding investment related gains (losses), adjusted total revenues were $61.9 million in the second quarter of 2026 from $62.7 million in the second quarter of 2025, due to decreased other income. Other income is related to issuance of supplemental contracts and we expect other income to decline as matured endowment benefits also decline, as contractually expected. Total benefits and expenses increased to $60.9 million in Q2 2026, from $58.2 million in the same year-ago quarter as the decline in claims and surrenders was more than offset by an increase in future policy benefit reserves. Claims and surrenders decreased $6.5 million in Q2 2026 due to the expected contractual decreases of matured endowments. These maturities reached their highest level in 2025; the Company expects reduced levels of maturities during the remainder of 2026 and over the next few years as fewer of these contracts expire. This benefit was more than offset by a $7.7 million increase in future policy benefit reserves primarily due to the increased business in our Domestic Insurance segment and the comparatively large amount of reserves released in the prior year period as we paid out matured endowment and released the corresponding reserves. Accordingly, we had a net loss of $0.4 million in Q2 2026, or $0.01 loss per fully diluted Class A share, from $6.5 net income, or $0.13 income per fully diluted Class A share, in Q2 2025. Adjusted net income was $0.8 million, or $0.01 adjusted income per fully diluted Class A share, in Q2 2026, from $4.2 million adjusted net income, or $0.08 adjusted income per fully diluted Class A share, in the year-ago quarter. Investments Total investment income was $18.1 million for Q2 2026, from $17.9 million in the same year-ago quarter due to investment grade private placement credit investments, where we expect higher returns. Net investment income decreased to $17.0 million for Q2 2026 from $17.2 million in the same year-ago quarter reflecting higher limited partnership investment expenses. The average annualized yield on the investment portfolio was 4.41% in Q2 2026 from 4.50% in the prior year due to the impact of higher investment expenses. The carrying value of the Company's total investment portfolio was $1.4 billion at June 30, 2026, relatively the same at June 30, 2025. Cash Position The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $17.0 million and no debt at June 30, 2026. Citizens reported $1.7 million net cash provided by operating activities in Q2 2026. The Company has had positive annual net cash provided by operating activities every year since 2004, and expects positive net cash provided by operating activities for the remainder of 2026 as the level of our matured endowment benefit payments continue to decline. Key Growth Initiatives Citizens' strategic roadmap is designed to deliver sustainable growth in premiums, adjusted net income, and adjusted book value per share. Citizens' key growth initiatives: Increase first year premium revenues Increase penetration in new and existing countries served Introduce new products or major product enhancements Enhance agent and client servicing platforms that drive efficiency About Citizens, Inc. Citizens, Inc. (NYSE: CIA) is a diversified financial services company providing life, living benefits and final expense insurance and other financial products to individuals and small businesses in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. Through its customer-centric growth strategy, Citizens offers innovative products to address the evolving needs of its customers in their native languages of English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin. The Company operates two primary segments: International Insurance, where the Company is a market leader in U.S. Dollar denominated life insurance, and Domestic Insurance, where it is growing in niche markets in the United States through its final expense products distributed through white-label and established distribution channels. Citizens' stock is included in the Russell 2000® and Russell 3000® indexes. For more information about Citizens, please visit the website at www.citizensinc.com and LinkedIn . Explanatory Notes on Use of Non-GAAP Measures In addition to the financial information prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), in this press release, the Company provides certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe improve understanding the underlying business trends. Adjustments to GAAP measures generally apply to discrete events and items not indicative of our operating trends. Adjusted Total Revenues is a non-GAAP measure that excludes investment related gains (losses) from total revenues. Management believes the adjusted total revenues metric is meaningful, as it allows investors to evaluate revenues generated by core business activities excluding items that are heavily impacted by investment market fluctuations. Adjusted Income Before Federal Income Tax is a non-GAAP measure that is computed as pre-tax GAAP operating income with discrete adjustments that exclude investment related gains (losses) and other special items not indicative of operating trends. Management believes this metric is meaningful, as it allows investors to evaluate underlying profitability and enhances comparability across periods, by excluding items that are heavily impacted by investment market fluctuations and other economic factors that are not indicative of operating trends. Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP measure that is derived by excluding the tax effected Adjusted Income Before Federal Income Tax adjustments described above. The provision for income tax related to adjusted after-tax income is calculated using our effective tax rate excluding discrete items. Adjusted Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock Basic and Diluted is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as adjusted net income for the period divided by the weighted average number of basic and fully diluted shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Adjusted Book Value Per Share of Class A Common Stock is a non-GAAP measure that is calculated by dividing actual Class A common stockholders' equity, excluding AOCI, by the number of Class A common shares outstanding at the end of the period. Management believes this metric is meaningful, as it allows investors to evaluate underlying book value growth by excluding the impact of interest rate volatility. Selected Consolidated Financial Data As of and for the periods ended Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (In thousands, except per share data) 2026 2025 2026 2025 Balance sheet data Total assets $ 1,752,060 1,712,500 1,752,060 1,712,500 Total liabilities 1,516,896 1,483,474 1,516,896 1,483,474 Total stockholders' equity 235,164 229,026 235,164 229,026 Total direct insurance in force 5,539,881 5,347,041 5,539,881 5,347,041 Operating items Direct insurance premiums $ 48,105 46,401 92,037 88,751 Insurance premiums 43,703 43,388 83,641 83,185 Net investment income 17,031 17,169 34,335 34,546 Investment related gains (losses), net (1,494 ) 2,408 (510 ) (486 ) Total revenues 60,408 65,086 120,128 120,738 Claims and surrenders 33,751 40,220 73,404 80,318 Other general expenses 14,090 13,459 27,462 26,152 Total benefits and expenses 60,937 58,172 118,283 115,611 Income (loss) before federal income tax (529 ) 6,914 1,845 5,127 Federal income tax expense (benefit) (104 ) 455 2 291 Net income (loss) (425 ) 6,459 1,843 4,836 Per share data Book value per share $ 4.64 4.56 4.64 4.56 Diluted income (loss) per Class A share (0.01 ) 0.13 0.04 0.10 Definition of Reported Segments The Company is comprised of two operating business segments and other non-insurance enterprises as detailed below. The insurance operations are the Company's primary focus and are the lead income generators of the business. International Insurance - Our International Insurance segment issues U.S. dollar-denominated ordinary whole life insurance and endowment policies predominantly to non-U.S. residents located principally in Latin America and the Pacific Rim. Our products in this segment are sold through independent agents. Domestic Insurance - Domestically, we are licensed in 43 U.S. states and sell whole life final expense insurance and life insurance with living benefits and critical illness products. The Domestic Insurance segment provides life insurance policies marketed to middle- and lower-income households. These products are sold through independent agents and funeral homes. Selected Segment Financial Data As of and for the periods ended Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (In thousands) 2026 2025 2026 2025 INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE Balance sheet data Total assets $ 1,184,117 1,164,274 1,184,117 1,164,274 Operating items Direct insurance premiums $ 28,885 29,306 54,467 55,385 Insurance premiums 28,369 28,878 53,567 54,486 Net investment income 11,725 12,076 23,729 24,207 Investment related gains (losses), net (1,559 ) 2,834 (225 ) 68 Total revenues 39,696 45,901 79,719 82,239 Claims and surrenders 25,907 34,399 58,018 67,433 Total benefits and expenses 38,572 38,774 74,990 75,307 Income (loss) before federal income tax 1,124 7,127 4,729 6,932 DOMESTIC INSURANCE Balance sheet data Total assets $ 535,227 512,224 535,227 512,224 Operating items Direct insurance premiums 19,220 17,095 37,570 33,366 Insurance premiums 15,334 14,510 30,074 28,699 Net investment income 5,102 4,919 10,215 9,978 Investment related gains (losses), net 67 (427 ) (278 ) (556 ) Total revenues 20,510 19,010 40,025 38,136 Claims and surrenders 7,844 5,821 15,386 12,885 Total benefits and expenses 18,896 16,382 37,160 34,950 Income (loss) before federal income tax 1,614 2,628 2,865 3,186 GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations Reconciliation of Adjusted Total Revenues For the periods ended Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Unaudited (In thousands) 2026 2025 2026 2025 Total revenues $ 60,408 65,086 120,128 120,738 Less: Investment related gains (losses) (1,494 ) 2,408 (510 ) (486 ) Adjusted total revenues $ 61,902 62,678 120,638 121,224 Reconciliation of Adjusted Income Before Federal Income Tax For the periods ended Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Unaudited (In thousands) 2026 2025 2026 2025 Income (loss) before federal income tax $ (529 ) 6,914 1,845 5,127 Less: Investment related gains (losses) (1,494 ) 2,408 (510 ) (486 ) Adjusted income before federal income tax $ 965 4,506 2,355 5,613 Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income For the periods ended Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Unaudited (In thousands) 2026 2025 2026 2025 Net income (loss) $ (425 ) 6,459 1,843 4,836 Less: Investment related gains (losses) (1,494 ) 2,408 (510 ) (486 ) Income tax impact 294 (158 ) 250 108 Adjusted net income $ 775 4,209 2,103 5,214 Reconciliation of Adjusted Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock For the periods ended Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Unaudited (In thousands, except per share amounts) 2026 2025 2026 2025 Basic and diluted adjusted income per share: Adjusted net income $ 775 4,209 2,103 5,214 Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - basic 50,521 50,112 50,426 50,024 Weighted average shares of Class A outstanding - diluted 51,824 50,985 51,714 50,897 Basic adjusted income per share of Class A common stock $ 0.02 0.08 0.04 0.10 Diluted adjusted income per share of Class A common stock $ 0.01 0.08 0.04 0.10 Reconciliation of Stockholders' Equity and Book Value per Class A Common Share As of June 30, Unaudited (In thousands, except per share data) 2026 2025 Stockholders' equity, end of period $ 235,164 229,026 Less: Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) (91,095 ) (83,655 ) Stockholders' equity, end of period, excluding AOCI $ 326,259 312,681 Book value per Class A common share - diluted $ 4.64 4.56 Less: Per share impact of AOCI (1.80 ) (1.66 ) Book value per Class A common share - diluted, excluding AOCI $ 6.44 6.22 Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "project," "intends," "continue" or comparable words. Such forward-looking statements may relate to the Company's expectations regarding its business performance, operational strategy, capital expenditures, technological changes, regulatory actions, and other financial and operational measures. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical facts that address activities that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are involved in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the risk factors discussed in our most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in the Company's expectations. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by the investment community. Citizens, Inc. Investor Relations Contacts Darrow Associates Investor Relations Jeff Christensen and Matt Kreps Email: [email protected] (Jeff and Matt) Phone: 703-297-6917 (Jeff) and 214-597-8200 (Matt) To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/308418