Adjusted operating income grew 26% to $611 million.
Policy acquisition costs increased 23% to $512 million.
Authorized a new $500 million share repurchase program.
Executed a major 75% quota share transaction with Equitable Holdings.
The Q1 2026 filing presents a company in the midst of a high-stakes transformation. RGA has successfully pivoted toward a more asset-intensive model, which has yielded immediate gains in revenue and operating income. The transition is evidenced by the massive influx of new business and the strategic absorption of Equitable Holdings' liabilities. This shift is designed to reduce the company's reliance on pure mortality risk and increase the predictability of its cash flows through spreads and fees. However, the success of this strategy depends on RGA's ability to manage the associated cost increases and interest rate sensitivity. While management expresses confidence in their reserve buffers, the volatility in other comprehensive income and the rise in acquisition costs serve as critical warnings. Investors are now weighing the potential for a valuation re-rating as a diversified compounder against the risks of margin compression and balance sheet volatility in a fluctuating rate environment.