Prudential Financial Inc. PRU has been riding on the huge demand for retirement benefits products, recurring premium sales, greater scale, expanded product offerings and broader distribution capabilities, cost savings and a solid capital position. These along with favorable growth make it a stock worth retaining in one’s portfolio.PRU has a decent earnings surprise history. It surpassed estimates in two of the last four quarters and missed in the other two, the average being 3.64%.PRU’s return on equity exhibits improvement, reflecting efficiency in utilizing shareholders’ funds.Zacks Rank & Price PerformancePrudential currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). In a year, the stock has gained 3.2%, compared with the industry’s increase of 6.9%.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchOptimistic Growth ProjectionsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2023 earnings is pegged at $11.79, indicating an improvement of 21.7% from the year-ago reported figure.Northbound Estimate RevisionThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2022 and 2023 earnings has moved 0.8% and 1% north in the past 30 days, reflecting analyst optimismBusiness TailwindsPrudential is one of the top five individual life insurance companies in the United States, with new recurring premium sales, greater scale, expanded product offerings and broader distribution capabilities. A vast distribution network, compelling product portfolio and superior brand image will give it a competitive edge.The insurer has a strong international presence that gives it more organic growth opportunities than its peers. Expansion of its international business is vital for long-term growth. PRU also invests in businesses to expand its addressable market and to continue to improve expense and capital efficiency.Prudential remains on track to become a higher-growth, less market-sensitive business. It expects to double its growth businesses to more than 30% of earnings and keep the individual annuities business to 10% or less of earnings.Effective Capital DeploymentBased on operational excellence, Prudential Financial has increased its dividend for the last 14 years, witnessing a CAGR of 9.5% in the past nine years (2014-2022). It currently yields 4.9%, better than the industry average of 2.4%.Prudential envisions about 65% free cash flow ratio of earnings and about two times its dividend. It expects to return $11 billion to shareholders via share buyback through the end of 2023, of which it has already returned $7 billion.Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks from the property and casualty insurance industry are MGIC Investment Corporation MTG, Radian Group Inc. RDN and EverQuote EVER, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.The bottom line of MGIC Investment surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 36.34%. Year to date, the insurer has lost 7.1%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MTG’s 2022 earnings indicates a year-over-year increase of 49.7%. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 5%.Radian delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 45.10%. Year to date, RDN has lost 9%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Radian’s 2022 earnings indicates a year-over-year increase of 49.5%. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 5%.EverQuote’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 40.50%. Year to date, EVER has lost 29.4%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EVER’s 2022 and 2023 earnings has moved 45.5% and 17.6% north in the past 30 days. Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double" From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all. It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time. This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>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 MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG): Free Stock Analysis Report Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU): Free Stock Analysis Report Radian Group Inc. (RDN): Free Stock Analysis Report EverQuote, Inc. (EVER): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research