Earnings Roundup: CNA Misses, monday.com Beats, Universal Falls Short

The recent earnings reports from CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA), monday.com Ltd (NASDAQ: MNDY), and Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) provide valuable insights into the financial health and operational performance of these companies across different industries.

CNA Financial, a major player in the insurance sector, reported a mixed performance for the fourth quarter of 2025, with a slight miss on both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue expectations. The company posted an EPS of $1.16 against an expectation of $1.19, and revenue of $2.79 billion, falling short of the anticipated $2.88 billion. Despite these misses, CNA Financial announced a 4% increase in its regular quarterly dividend and a special dividend, reflecting its confidence in future cash flows.

In contrast, monday.com, an AI work platform based in Israel, exceeded expectations with its fourth-quarter results. The company reported an EPS of $1.04, surpassing the expected $0.92, and achieved a revenue of $333.9 million, beating the forecasted $329.51 million. This marks a 25% year-over-year growth in revenue, highlighting the company’s strong market position and product adoption.

Meanwhile, Universal Corporation, a global agriproducts company, faced challenges in the third quarter of 2026. The company reported an EPS of $1.35, missing the expected $1.94, and revenue of $861.3 million, below the anticipated $927.2 million. The results reflect ongoing market headwinds and higher fixed costs impacting its operations.

Quarterly Results Show a Clear Split Between Winners and Laggards

CNA Financial’s fourth-quarter performance was characterized by its inability to meet market expectations for both EPS and revenue. The company’s actual EPS of $1.16 fell short of the expected $1.19, while revenue reached $2.79 billion, missing the anticipated $2.88 billion.

Despite these setbacks, CNA Financial demonstrated resilience by maintaining strong net income figures and announcing a 4% increase in its regular quarterly dividend, alongside a special dividend of $2.00 per share. The company’s property and casualty (P&C) segments reported a slight decrease in core income, attributed to lower underwriting results, though offset by higher net investment income.

monday.com delivered a robust performance in the fourth quarter, surpassing market expectations with an EPS of $1.04 and revenue of $333.9 million. This represented a significant 25% increase in revenue compared to the previous year. The company’s strategic focus on expanding its product portfolio and increasing adoption of its AI-driven solutions contributed to its success.

monday.com’s non-GAAP operating income also saw an improvement, reflecting disciplined execution and strong cash generation. The company’s ability to grow its customer base, particularly those with annual recurring revenue (ARR) exceeding $100,000, underscores its competitive edge in the market.

Universal Corporation faced a challenging quarter, with its earnings falling short of expectations. The company reported an EPS of $1.35, below the anticipated $1.94, and revenue of $861.3 million, missing the expected $927.2 million. The decline in revenue was primarily due to lower tobacco sales volumes and market headwinds affecting its ingredients operations.

Despite these challenges, Universal Corporation maintained its focus on long-term growth and sustainability initiatives, as highlighted in its recent sustainability report. The company’s efforts to enhance its renewable electricity usage and supply chain transparency reflect its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

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Guidance and Outlook Highlight Very Different 2026 Paths

Looking ahead, CNA Financial remains cautiously optimistic about its future prospects. The company has expressed confidence in its disciplined underwriting strategies and financial strength, as evidenced by AM Best’s upgrade of CNA’s financial strength rating to A+ with a stable outlook.

The company anticipates continued momentum in its P&C segments, driven by profitable opportunities and selective underwriting practices. CNA Financial’s focus on investing in talent, technology, and artificial intelligence positions it well for sustained growth in the coming year.

monday.com’s guidance for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 reflects its positive outlook. The company expects total revenue to range between $338 million and $340 million, representing a year-over-year growth of approximately 20%. monday.com also projects non-GAAP operating income to be between $37 million and $39 million, with an operating margin of 11% to 12%.

The company remains committed to expanding its AI platform capabilities and driving customer adoption across its product suite. monday.com’s strategic emphasis on large enterprise customers and its ongoing share repurchase program further demonstrate its confidence in future growth.

Universal Corporation’s guidance indicates a cautious approach in light of current market conditions. The company acknowledges the challenges posed by oversupply in certain tobacco styles and market headwinds affecting its ingredients operations. However, Universal Corporation remains focused on leveraging its global supply chain expertise and expanding its solutions-based portfolio to drive long-term growth.

The company’s recent refinancing and upsizing of its credit facility provide enhanced financial flexibility to pursue strategic priorities. Universal Corporation’s commitment to sustainability and farmer engagement initiatives aligns with its vision of building a resilient and sustainable business for the future.

Disclaimer: The author does not hold or have a position in any securities discussed in the article. All stock prices were quoted at the time of writing.