PRU Stock Lags Industry, Trades at a Discount: Time to Hold?

Prudential Financial (PRU) reported strong second-quarter results with retail annuity sales rising 14% to $3.6 billion and PGIM operating income increasing 28%. The company trades at an attractive valuation of 8.01X P/E and maintains solid return on equity of 16.7%. However, a voluntary sales suspension in Japan is expected to reduce 2026 pre-tax operating income by $525-$575 million. Analysts have revised earnings estimates upward, and the company maintains a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating.