MET

Zacks analysts recommend five low-beta, high-yielding stocks with Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) ratings as defensive plays amid market volatility in October 2026. The recommended stocks—Sun Life Financial, Coca-Cola, Altria, Keurig Dr Pepper, and MetLife—are positioned to weather concerns over AI sustainability, elevated crude oil prices, and persistent inflation.

Unum Group's Colonial Life segment demonstrated solid performance in Q2 2026 with adjusted operating income rising 11.9% and premium income increasing 3.3% to $477.4M. The segment benefited from favorable claims experience, higher investment income (up 17.6%), and a strong 19.4% ROE. However, persistency showed a slight decline and modest premium growth suggests the need for sustained sales momentum. Peers Aflac and MetLife also showed strength in their group benefits segments.

Prudential Financial (PRU) is expanding its use of reinsurance as a capital-management tool, completing a $5 billion transaction with Prismic Life to reinsure Japanese whole-life reserves while retaining policy administration. The strategy allows PRU to free up capital for higher-growth businesses, with combined transactions now exceeding $22 billion in USD liabilities. Peers like MetLife and AIG are pursuing similar capital-efficiency strategies through dedicated reinsurance platforms and portfolio restructuring.