Analyst Study on Lincoln National Corp. and Prudential Financial Inc. - Life Insurance Sector in a Tough Spot

{"s" : "lnc,pru","k" : "a00,a50,b00,b60,c10,g00,h00,l10,p20,t10,v00","o" : "","j" : ""} Press Release Source: Wall Street Equity Research On Wednesday December 29, 2010, 7:57 am

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA--(Marketwire - 12/29/10) - www.wallstreetequityresearch.com brings investors market knowledge on the aspects moving the life insurance stocks, and offers complete analytical research on companies like Lincoln National Corp. (NYSE:LNC - News) and Prudential Financial Inc. (NYSE:PRU - News). Register with www.wallstreetequityresearch.com today to gain full access to our complimentary research on these life insurance stocks.

Both new regulatory concerns as well as low interest rates are poised to take their toll on the Life insurance industry which includes players like Lincoln National Corp. and Prudential Financial Inc. The Dodd-Frank Reform and Consumer Protection Act could prove to be a major regulatory factor as many companies within the sector such as Prudential Financial will fall beneath its blanket. The sector's biggest concern, however, is the environment of low interest rates. Investors can access free research on Prudential Financial Inc. and Lincoln National Corp. now by signing up at http://wallstreetequityresearch.com/December292010PrudentialFinancialInc.(PRU)291210.php or http://wallstreetequityresearch.com/December292010LincolnNationalCorp.(LNC)291210.php.

www.wallstreetequityresearch.com is a specialized website where investors can have specific access to complimentary reports on life insurance industry; traders looking for analysis on Lincoln National Corp., Prudential Financial Inc. and other players in the industry are welcomed to sign up for free at http://www.wallstreetequityresearch.com/.

Putting strains on profitability, low rates could force many companies to streamline their operations by trimming workforce, guarantees, and product offerings. In response to the low rates, the industry has been motivated to increase its holdings in corporate bonds, pushing the total corporate debt over $2 trillion. Also, companies are beginning to cancel their long-term care insurance programs because the aging population of baby boomers combined with longer life spans due to increased care options could potentially be an enormous drag on assets during the coming decades. Visit us at http://www.wallstreetequityresearch.com/ to understand the catalysts and forces driving or affecting companies in the life insurance industry.

High levels of uncertainty have caused Life Insurers to look everywhere for profits. While the industry is mired in uncertainty, acquisitions will likely be inhibited. However, some companies are working to expand their operations in Asian markets, especially Korea and Japan. China has proven to be a difficult market for the sector despite its 15% yearly growth. All foreign companies are essentially required to have local partners meaning this market with extremely low insurance penetration is actually struggling to show profits.

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Wall Street Equity Research looks to bring simplicity and highly sophisticated research to an ever-changing investing environment. Wall Street Equity Research has been partnering with a number of North American and Emerging Economies analysts to bring you the best of both continents in terms of market analysis and analytical opinions.

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Lincoln Financial Group Names Randal J. Freitag Chief Financial Officer

{"s" : "lnc","k" : "a00,a50,b00,b60,c10,g00,h00,l10,p20,t10,v00","o" : "","j" : ""} Press Release Source: Lincoln Financial Group On Thursday December 16, 2010, 4:30 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC - News) today announced that it has promoted Randal J. Freitag to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2011. As CFO, Freitag will replace Frederick J. Crawford, who as previously announced will now assume the newly created position of Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development and Investments. Freitag and Crawford will both serve on the company's Senior Management Committee and report to Dennis R. Glass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Financial.

"We conducted a thorough internal and external search which confirmed that Randy is the best candidate based on his deep experience in all aspects of the CFO role as well as his broad perspective on the industry's dynamics and ongoing evolution," said Glass. "Randy's background in the industry and with Lincoln's businesses, his strategic insights, demonstrated business judgment, and strong internal and external relationships will support the long-term success of the enterprise."

As Chief Financial Officer, Freitag will lead Lincoln's financial team, which includes corporate finance, risk management, treasury, corporate tax, corporate actuarial, audit and investor relations. In addition, he will work closely with senior leaders throughout the company to develop strategies to position Lincoln Financial for the future.

Freitag developed his well-honed analytical and technical skills by serving in a number of  increasingly responsible roles at Lincoln Financial since joining the company in 1995. He was named Chief Risk Officer in 2007 with overall responsibility for enterprise risk management, capital and liquidity management, equity risk management and treasury. Prior to serving as Chief Risk Officer, Freitag was senior vice president of product risk & profitability management for the individual life and annuities businesses. His areas of responsibility included financial management, asset liability and equity risk (variable annuity hedging) management. Freitag has also served in the corporate actuarial area where his role included mergers & acquisitions, rating agency relations and capital allocation. Prior to joining Lincoln Financial, Freitag held various actuarial roles. He earned a B.A. degree in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota and is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC - News) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $150 billion as of September 30, 2010. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

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Lincoln Financial names Randal Freitag CFO

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8:06 a.m. EST, Dec. 17, 2010 from MarketWatch

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2:37 a.m. EST, Dec. 17, 2010 from MarketWatch

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12:13 a.m. EST, Dec. 17, 2010 from MarketWatch

"Japan's Nikkei Stock Average turns positive after opening down; banks higher http://on.mktw.net/gH9Oe9"
7:10 p.m. EST, Dec. 16, 2010 from MarketWatch

"RT @MWRadio: Mark Zuckerberg -- Time's Person of the Year? Rex Crum thinks Time missed the boat on this. http://fb.me/HdRwQmHy"
6:49 p.m. EST, Dec. 16, 2010 from MarketWatch

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Lincoln Financial names Randal Freitag CFO

"Marshall & Ilsley shares rally as Canada's BMO strikes $4.1 billion stock-swap deal http://on.mktw.net/f3ApeP"
8:06 a.m. EST, Dec. 17, 2010 from MarketWatch

"Moody's downgrades Ireland, citing uncertainty over economic outlook http://on.mktw.net/ifU0zc"
2:37 a.m. EST, Dec. 17, 2010 from MarketWatch

"U.S. House approves Bush-era tax-cut extension; sends bill to Obama for signature http://on.mktw.net/hBV6Qk"
12:13 a.m. EST, Dec. 17, 2010 from MarketWatch

"Japan's Nikkei Stock Average turns positive after opening down; banks higher http://on.mktw.net/gH9Oe9"
7:10 p.m. EST, Dec. 16, 2010 from MarketWatch

"RT @MWRadio: Mark Zuckerberg -- Time's Person of the Year? Rex Crum thinks Time missed the boat on this. http://fb.me/HdRwQmHy"
6:49 p.m. EST, Dec. 16, 2010 from MarketWatch

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Bonnie Baker Joins Lincoln Financial Distributors as Relationship Manager for Institutional Retirement Solutions Distribution

{"s" : "lnc","k" : "a00,a50,b00,b60,c10,g00,h00,l10,p20,t10,v00","o" : "","j" : ""} Press Release Source: Lincoln Financial Group On Monday December 20, 2010, 9:30 am EST

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lincoln Financial Distributors, the wholesale distribution subsidiary of Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC - News), today announced that Bonnie Baker has joined as relationship manager for the Institutional Retirement Solutions Distribution (IRSD) consultant channel, focused on wirehouses.

Reporting to Marcela Curry, head of relationship management for IRSD, Baker will be responsible for supporting the institutional field sales team through research, strategic planning, and relationship development.  

"Lincoln's IRSD consultant channel focuses on a range of institutional plans and services designed for the defined contribution market," said Curry. "We are aggressively seeking opportunities to expand our consultant relations channel and continue to offer high-value guidance on an array of defined contribution solutions. Bonnie brings close to two decades of financial services experience to Lincoln Financial Group, and will complement our deep bench of talent," she said.

Prior to joining Lincoln Financial, Baker was an executive director for the Consulting Group Institutional Services with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, in Wilmington, DE, where she spearheaded the development and implementation of various sales and marketing strategies designed to support in-house financial advisors. From 1998 to 2004, she served as a director and manager with Bank of America for its institutional high-net worth consulting services division, in Jersey City, NJ;  from 1997 to 1998, she was a regional director for Lockwood Financial Services, Inc., in New York; and, from 1992 to 1997, she was a senior vice president for institutional sales at J. & W. Selligman & Co., in New York.

Baker began her career as a financial consultant with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, in Sarasota, FL.

She earned a master of business administration degree from the University of Phoenix, in 2004; and, bachelors of arts in marketing management and research, and accounting from the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, in 1980. Baker is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), and holds FINRA security registrations 7, 63 and 65.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC - News) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $150 billion as of September 30, 2010. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

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[video] People Moves: State Street, Lincoln Financial

Coverage of global markets with updates around the clock and around the world. Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Lincoln Financial Promotes Freitag To CFO; Analyst Sees Move As Positive

After markets closed Thursday, Lincoln National (LNC) said it was promoting Randal Freitag to chief financial officer to replace Fred Crawford, who’s moving into a new role as head of corporate development and investments.

“(The) internal promotion is a positive … we don’t expect a significant transition period given that the new CFO is familiar with LNC’s operations,” wrote Sandler O’Neill analysts in a Friday morning note to clients.

They also re-affirmed a Buy rating on the stock and $32 price target.

Lincoln National’s stock was up slightly, by about 0.4%, or 10 cents, to $28.15 a share at 10:06 a.m. eastern time.

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Lincoln Financial Group Introduces American Legacy® LVIP American Allocation Funds

{"s" : "lnc","k" : "a00,a50,b00,b60,c10,g00,h00,l10,p20,t10,v00","o" : "","j" : ""} Press Release Source: Lincoln Financial Group On Wednesday December 15, 2010, 1:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC - News) today announced the introduction of Lincoln Variable Insurance Product (LVIP) American Allocation Funds, a fund-of-funds investment option available through their American Legacy® suite of variable annuity products. Designed with diversification in mind, LVIP American Allocation Funds offer investors three important benefits to help protect them against market volatility, including:

a broad reach of investment options; market responsiveness through on-going oversight; and the flexibility to meet changing investment needs through fund rebalancing and repositioning.

Highly regarded for their seasoned leadership and investment management experience, American Funds and Lincoln Financial Group forged a partnership nearly 25 years ago to create American Legacy®, the only single-manager variable annuity available in the marketplace. Today, the companies pride themselves in offering people competitive products they can count on while investing for their long-term retirement goals.

"Lincoln Financial's investment management expertise coupled with American Fund's consistent investment philosophy provides a strong foundation for these new LVIP American Allocation Funds," said Dan Hayes, Head of Funds Management, Retirement Solutions, Lincoln Financial Group. "The introduction of LVIP American Allocation Funds represents Lincoln Financial and American Funds' continued commitment to enhancing the American Legacy® offering to help investors achieve confidence in their long-term investments through flexibility and diversification."

Managed by Lincoln Investment Advisors Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lincoln National Corporation, and in consultation with Wilshire Associates, the LVIP American Allocation Funds invest in American Funds Insurance Series® (AFIS) and other select American Funds retail mutual funds, providing investors with a choice of three variable product investment models designed for contract holders with selected investment goals and risk tolerance levels. Each model – Growth, Balanced and Income – offers a unique asset allocation and underlying American Funds fund selection consistent with its investment strategy, enabling investors to diversify with confidence and convenience.

The fund-of-funds investment approach offers unique advantages including a simplified process to help investors achieve a diversified portfolio; exposure to a wide variety of asset classes, regions and investments styles; and ongoing monitoring and rebalancing to ensure that each Fund is positioned to take advantage of current market conditions. The asset allocation of each fund will be rebalanced on a quarterly basis and adjusted annually or as needed in response to market changes.

Disclosure

Variable annuities are long-term investment products designed for retirement purposes and are subject to market fluctuation, investment risk and possible loss of principal. Variable annuities contain both investment and insurance components, and have fees and charges, including mortality and expense, administrative and advisory fees. Optional features are available for an additional charge and are based on the financial strength of the insurer. The annuity's value fluctuates with the market value of the underlying investment options, and all assets accumulate tax-deferred. Withdrawals of earnings are taxable as ordinary income and, if taken prior to age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. Withdrawals will reduce the death benefit and cash surrender value.

Asset allocation does not assure a profit or guarantee against a loss.

Variable products are sold by prospectus. Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the variable product and its underlying investment options carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the variable product and its underlying investment options. A prospectus is available by calling 888 868-2583. Read it carefully before investing.

American Legacy variable annuities (contract forms 30070-A, 30070-B and state variations) are issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker/dealer. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so. Contracts sold in New York (contract forms NY28618-A, 30294-NY, 30070ANYFA1, 30070BNYFA3 and 30070BNYFA1) are issued by Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker/dealer.

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC - News) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $150 billion as of September 30, 2010. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

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Tim Gilleylen Joins Lincoln Financial Advisors to Lead Detroit, Cincinnati Presence

{"s" : "lnc","k" : "a00,a50,b00,b60,c10,g00,h00,l10,p20,t10,v00","o" : "","j" : ""} Press Release Source: Lincoln Financial Network On Wednesday December 8, 2010, 11:59 am EST

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lincoln Financial Network, the retail distribution division of Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC - News), announced today that Tim Gilleylen has been named Managing Director of the Mid-America Region and will be based out of Detroit, Mich.

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Gilleylen, who joined the company in November, is responsible for recruiting, coaching and developing Lincoln Financial Network-affiliated financial planners in and around the Detroit and Cincinnati areas. He is a 19-year industry veteran.

"Tim is savvy , strategic and creative – three traits which will serve him well as he helps Lincoln grow and develop its base of high quality financial planners," said David Berkowitz, Senior Vice President of Lincoln Financial Advisors.

Prior to joining Lincoln Financial Advisors, Gilleylen spent more than 19 years with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, in a variety of leadership positions, and recently serving as Complex Business Development Officer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics/political science from Michigan State University and holds his Series 7, 8, 63, 65 and 3.

About Lincoln Financial Network

Lincoln Financial Network is the marketing name for the retail sales and financial planning affiliates of Lincoln Financial Group and includes Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation, both members of FINRA and SIPC. Consisting of approximately 7,800 representatives, career agents, and full-service financial planners throughout the United States, Lincoln Financial Network professionals can offer financial planning and advisory services, retirement services, life products, annuities, investments, and trust services to affluent individuals, business owners, and families.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC - News) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $150 billion as of September 30, 2010. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

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[$$] Powerful Breakout for Lincoln National

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Lincoln Financial Group to Participate in Goldman Sachs U.S. Financial Services Conference

{"s" : "lnc","k" : "a00,a50,b00,b60,c10,g00,h00,l10,p20,t10,v00","o" : "","j" : ""} Press Release Source: Lincoln Financial Group On Friday December 3, 2010, 11:00 am EST

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC - News) will participate in the Goldman Sachs U.S. Financial Services Conference on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET. Dennis R. Glass, president and chief executive officer, will discuss the company's businesses and results.

Interested persons are invited to listen through the Internet and view the presentation slides, either live or through on-demand replay. Please go to www.LincolnFinancial.com/webcast at least fifteen minutes prior to the event to register and download any necessary streaming media software and presentation materials.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC - News) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $150 billion as of September 30, 2010. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

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