Argus Moves Prudential Financial (PRU) to Hold, Awaiting Clarity on Japan Operations

With a TTM operating cash flow of $9.78 billion, Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) is included among the 12 Cash-Rich Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Argus Moves Prudential Financial (PRU) to Hold, Awaiting Clarity on Japan Operations

On June 9, Argus downgraded Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) to Hold from Buy. It pointed to the company’s ongoing challenges in Japan. The analyst noted that Prudential announced in April that it would extend the suspension of new sales in Japan by an additional 180 days, following an earlier 90-day suspension announced in February. Argus said Prudential continues to generate an above-average return on equity over the long term and offers a dividend yield of about 5.4%. The firm added that it could move the stock back to its Buy list once there is greater clarity around the current situation.

During Prudential Financial’s Q1 2026 earnings call, Chairman, CEO, and President Andrew Sullivan highlighted continued momentum across the company’s core businesses. He said retail annuity sales exceeded $3 billion during the quarter, while Prudential completed $1.4 billion in pension risk transfer (PRT) transactions across several middle-market cases.

Sullivan also pointed to growth at PGIM. He said the firm’s focus on direct lending and asset-backed finance continued to deliver strong results. Those areas accounted for about $5 billion of the $13 billion invested in private assets during the quarter.

Executive Vice President and CFO Yanela del Frias reported after-tax adjusted operating income of approximately $1.3 billion, or $3.61 per common share. She said the results were driven mainly by higher spread income in Prudential’s U.S. and international insurance businesses, as well as improved life underwriting performance. According to del Frias, those gains were partly offset by higher operating expenses, including costs related to the sales suspension at Prudential of Japan.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) is a financial services company and global investment manager. It provides a range of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related solutions, mutual funds, and investment management services.

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