Unum Group UNM is slated to report third-quarter 2021 earnings results on Nov 2, after market close. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 23.01% in the last reported quarter.Factors to NoteThe Unum U.S. segment is likely to have benefited from improved sales trends, strong persistency in group lines and growth of new product lines like dental and vision. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter premium income at the Unum U.S. segment is pegged at $1.5 billion, suggesting an increase of 1.4% from the prior-year reported figure.The company expects a slight improvement in mortality in the third quarter.Colonial Life is likely to have been aided by an improved benefits experience and higher net investment income. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter premium income at the Colonial Life segment is pegged at $422 million, indicating an increase of 0.5% from the prior-year level. Unum estimates adjusted operating income in the low to mid-$80 million range in the third quarter.A decline in the yield on invested assets and a decrease in the level of invested assets are likely to have weighed on net investment income. This downside is likely to have been partially offset by higher income from an alternative investment portfolio. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $554 million, indicating a 9.6% decline from the prior-year quarter.Expenses are likely to have increased due to higher benefits and change in reserves for future benefits and other expenses.The company estimates the interest-adjusted loss ratio for LTC in the to-be-reported quarter to remain slightly favorable to the long-term assumption range as mortality and incidence trends continue to normalize following the impacts of COVID.For Closed Disability Block, the company estimates higher miscellaneous income and favorable underlying benefit experience to drive operating income between $45 million and $55 million.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share is pegged at $1.17, indicating a decline of 3.31% from the year-ago reported figure.Quantitative Model PredictionOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Unum Group this time around. The stock needs to have the right combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy), or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. This is not the case as you can see below.Earnings ESP: It has an Earnings ESP of -1.01%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Unum Group Price and EPS Surprise Unum Group price-eps-surprise | Unum Group QuoteZacks Rank: Unum Group currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).Stocks to ConsiderSome stocks from the insurance space that have the perfect mix of elements to surpass earnings estimates in the upcoming quarterly releases are as follows:Aflac Incorporated AFL has an Earnings ESP of +1.44% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Trupanion TRUP has an Earnings ESP of +6.59% and a Zacks Rank of 3, at present.The Hartford Financial HIG has an Earnings ESP of +5.61% and a Zacks Rank #3. Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $2.4 trillion by 2028 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. They’re also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Recommendations from previous editions of this report have produced gains of +205%, +258% and +477%. The stocks in this report could perform even better.See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (HIG): Free Stock Analysis Report Aflac Incorporated (AFL): Free Stock Analysis Report Unum Group (UNM): Free Stock Analysis Report Trupanion, Inc. (TRUP): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.