9 Insurance Stocks to Sell Now

It�s no secret that the financial industry has been hit with hardships during the tumultuous months of 2011. December is no different. Household names like Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) and Citigroup (NYSE:C) have been falling faster than they would like. And, unfortunately, some insurance companies have been struck with the same bout of bad luck.

I watch more than 5,000 publicly traded companies with my Portfolio Grader tool, ranking companies by a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. And this week, I’ve got nine insurance stocks to sell.

Here they are, in alphabetical order. Each one of these stocks gets a �D� or �F� according to my research, meaning it is a �sell� or �strong sell.�

AFLAC Inc. (NYSE:AFL) is primarily engaged with supplemental health and life insurance. Despite such a recognizable name, AFL is down 25% in the last 12 months. AFL stock gets an “F” for sales growth, a “D” for operating margin growth, an “F” for earnings growth, an “F” for earnings momentum, an “F” for the company�s ability to exceed consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street, an “F” for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased during the past month, and a “D” for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of AFL stock.

Allstate Corp. (NYSE:ALL) is involved with personal property insurance, casualty insurance, life insurance and retirement and investment products. Despite a variety of services, ALL stock is down 18% year-to-date. ALL stock gets a �D� for sales growth, an �F� for operating margin growth, a �D� for earnings growth, an �F� for earnings momentum, an �F� for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past month, a �D� for cash flow and a �D� for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of ALL stock.

American International Group Inc. (NYSE:AIG) is a major international insurance company that operates in 130 countries. AIG stock is down 60% year-to-date. AIG stock gets an �F� for sales growth, an �F� for earnings momentum, an �F� for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past month, a �D� for cash flow and an �F� for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of AIG stock.

Genworth Financial Inc. (NYSE:GNW) provides insurance, wealth management, investment and financial solutions to its more than 15 million customers. GNW stock has lost 52% since the beginning of 2011. GNW stock gets an �F� for sales growth, an �F� for operating margin growth, an �F� for earnings growth, a �D� for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past month, a �D� for cash flow and a �D� for return on equity in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of GNW stock.

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE:HIG) is an insurance and financial services company based in Connecticut. Since the start of 2011, HIG stock has dropped 39%, compared to a gain of 2% for the Dow Jones in the same time. HIG stock gets an �F� for sales growth, a �D� for operating margin growth, an �F� for earnings growth, an �F� for earnings momentum, an �F� for the company�s ability to exceed consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street, an �F� for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased over the past month, and a �D� for return on equity in my portfolio grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of HIG stock.

Lincoln National Corp. (NYSE:LNC) offers a variety of wealth protection, accumulation and retirement income products and solutions. Since the start of 2011, LNC stock has declined 33%, compared to small gains by the broader markets. LNC stock gets a �D� for sales growth, a �D� for earnings growth and a �D� for earnings momentum in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of LNC stock.

Manulife Financial Corp. (NYSE:MFC) is the holding company for The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and John Hancock Reassurance Company. A drop of 40% for MFC stock year-to-date has left shareholders questioning their purchase. MFC stock gets an �F� for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased during the past month in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of MFC stock.

Progressive Corp. (NYSE:PGR) provides its customers with personal and commercial automobile insurance and other specialty property-casualty insurance. A 10% drop year-to-date for PGR stock has earned it a spot on this list. PGR stock earned a �D� for sales growth, a �D� for earnings growth and a �D� for the magnitude in which earnings projections have increased during the past month in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of PGR stock.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) operates numerous insurance subsidiaries in the United States, U.K. and other countries across the world. UNM stock is down 15% year-to-date. UNM stock gets a �D� for sales growth and a �D� for the company�s ability to exceed consensus earnings estimates on Wall Street in my Portfolio Grader tool. For more information, view my complete analysis of UNM stock.

Get more analysis of these picks and other publicly traded stocks with Louis Navellier�s Portfolio Grader tool, a 100% free stock-rating tool that measures both quantitative buying pressure and eight fundamental factors.