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Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBD) previews Q1 variable income and weighs pre-merger buybacks

Filing Impact
(Very High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Corebridge Financial, Inc. is providing an early look at first-quarter 2026 variable investment income ahead of its full results. Management currently estimates variable investment income of $15 million to $25 million (pre-tax), with positive alternative investment returns largely offset by unrealized mark-to-market losses on certain fair value investments reported in Adjusted Pre-Tax Operating Income.

The company also discloses that, in consultation with Equitable Holdings, Inc., it is exploring potential repurchases of its common stock before closing of their pending merger announced on March 26, 2026. Any such buybacks would require a waiver under the merger agreement and their timing, size and pricing would be at the company’s discretion. All figures are preliminary, unaudited and subject to change once full closing procedures for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 are complete.

Positive

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Insights

Corebridge flags modest variable income and weighs pre-merger buybacks.

Corebridge estimates Q1 2026 variable investment income of $15 million to $25 million pre-tax, with gains from alternative investments offset by unrealized mark-to-market losses on fair value investments. This suggests a relatively muted net contribution from these usually volatile income streams.

The company is also considering repurchasing common stock before closing its pending merger with Equitable Holdings, Inc., subject to a waiver under the merger agreement. Any repurchases, if pursued, would have discretionary volume and timing, so their ultimate scale and effect on shareholders remain uncertain based on the current disclosure.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Estimated variable investment income $15–25 million pre-tax Preliminary estimate for quarter ended March 31, 2026
Junior subordinated notes coupon 6.375% Rate on Corebridge 6.375% Junior Subordinated Notes listed as CRBD
Earnings release date May 4, 2026 Scheduled release of quarterly earnings and financial supplement
Earnings call date May 5, 2026 Planned first-quarter 2026 earnings call for further updates
variable investment income financial
"the Company estimates that its variable investment income will be approximately $15 million to $25 million"
Variable investment income is the portion of returns from assets—like dividends, interest, or portfolio gains—that can rise or fall over time instead of staying fixed. Investors care because it makes earnings less predictable and can change cash flow or reported profits; think of it like a farmer’s crop yield that varies year to year, affecting how much money is available for expenses, reinvestment, or payouts to shareholders.
alternative investments financial
"Positive alternative investment returns are estimated to be offset by unrealized mark-to-market losses"
Alternative investments are assets outside traditional stocks, bonds and cash, such as real estate, private equity, hedge funds, commodities, collectibles, and venture capital. They matter to investors because they can provide different sources of return and risk, like adding a new flavor to a meal, helping diversify a portfolio, potentially smoothing volatility or boosting long-term returns when conventional markets struggle.
Adjusted Pre-Tax Operating Income financial
"changes in fair value reported in Adjusted Pre-Tax Operating Income"
fair value option financial
"changes in market value of investments accounted for under the fair value option"
An accounting election that lets a company measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at their current market price, recording gains and losses in the income statement as those prices move. For investors it matters because choosing the fair value option makes reported profits and asset values respond immediately to market swings—like revaluing a house to today’s sale price—so it can increase earnings volatility while giving a more up‑to‑date view of value.
preliminary proxy statement/prospectus regulatory
"from the filing with the SEC of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus relating to the parties’ pending merger"
forward-looking statements regulatory
"This on includes statements, which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute “forward-looking statements”"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
 
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 15, 2026

Corebridge Financial, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware
 
001-41504
 
95-4715639
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

2919 Allen Parkway, Woodson Tower,
   
Houston, Texas
 
77019
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-877-375-2422
 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
 
Trading
Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
 
CRBG
 
New York Stock Exchange
6.375% Junior Subordinated Notes
 
CRBD
 
New York Stock Exchange
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
 
Emerging growth company
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
 


Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
Corebridge Financial, Inc. (the Company, we or our) is furnishing this Current Report on Form 8-K to disclose preliminary information related to variable investment income prior to the availability of the Company’s quarterly’s earnings release and quarterly financial supplement for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, scheduled for release on May 4, 2026.

Based on preliminary results received to date, the Company estimates that its variable investment income will be approximately $15 million to $25 million (pre-tax). Positive alternative investment returns are estimated to be offset by unrealized mark-to-market losses on investments accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value reported in Adjusted Pre-Tax Operating Income.

Variable investment income includes call and tender income on bonds, commercial mortgage loan prepayments, changes in market value of investments accounted for under the fair value option, interest received on defaulted investments (other than foreclosed real estate), income from alternative investments and other miscellaneous investment income, including income on certain partnership entities that are required to be consolidated. Alternative investments include private equity and real estate equity funds which are generally reported on a one-quarter lag. We expect to provide further updates on the upcoming first quarter earnings call on May 5, 2026.

The preliminary financial information presented above is the responsibility of management and has been prepared in good faith based on information available to management as of the date hereof. However, we have not completed our financial closing procedures for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and our actual results could differ from this preliminary financial information. As a result, prospective investors should exercise caution in relying on this information and should not draw any inferences from this information regarding financial or operating data not provided. This preliminary financial information is estimated and unaudited and should not be viewed as a substitute for full financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, this preliminary financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved in any future period.

The forward-looking statements in this disclosure, which use terms such as “estimates,” “preliminary,” and “will,” are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the “Risk Factors” the Company describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) filings. The Company’s results could differ materially from those it expresses or implies in forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if the Company later becomes aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved.

As provided in General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information provided pursuant to this Item 2.02 is being “furnished” herewith and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure.
 
The Company, in consultation with representatives of Equitable Holdings, Inc. (Equitable Holdings), is exploring undertaking repurchases of shares of its common stock prior to closing of the parties’ pending merger (announced March 26, 2026), including during the period from the filing with the SEC of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus relating to the parties’ pending merger until the commencement of mailing of such preliminary proxy statement/prospectus. If the Company were to determine to undertake such share repurchases, it would seek a waiver from Equitable Holdings under the parties’ merger agreement of the provision thereunder prohibiting share repurchases during the pendency of the merger. There can be no assurance that the Company will determine to make such share repurchases during the above noted time period and if undertaken, the volume, pricing, timing and method of repurchases of shares of its common stock will be in the discretion of the Company.

As provided in General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information provided pursuant to this Item 7.01 is being “furnished” herewith and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.


Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This Current Report on Form 8-K includes statements, which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, and any related oral statements, can be identified by the use of terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “targets,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “goals,” “guidance,” “formidable,” “preliminary,” “objective,” “continue,” “drive,” “improve,” “superior,” “robust,” “positioned,” “resilient,” “vision,” “potential,” “immediate,” and similar expressions or the negative of those expressions or verbs. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our beliefs regarding future events, which may by their nature be inherently uncertain, and some of which may be outside our control. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the potential repurchases of shares of common stock, statements about the expected timing and completion of the proposed transaction between the Company and Equitable Holdings (the Proposed Transaction), the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction, including estimated synergies and projected cost savings, and plans and expectations for the Company, Equitable Holdings or their new parent company after completion of the Proposed Transaction.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Key factors include, among others, the ability to repurchase shares (if the Company decides to do so) within the expected timing or at all; the ability to complete the Proposed Transaction on the timeframe or on the terms currently anticipated or at all, including due to a failure to obtain requisite stockholder, stock exchange, regulatory, governmental or other approvals; risks related to difficulties, inabilities or delays in integrating the parties’ businesses; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction, including estimated run-rate expense synergies and projected cost savings at the times, and to the extent, anticipated, as well as expected operating earning and cashflow generation; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of either or both parties to terminate the merger agreement; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Proposed Transaction on the Company or Equitable Holdings’ stock price and on their respective business, contractual and operational relationships (including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, clients and competitors); risks related to business disruptions from the Proposed Transaction that may harm the business or current plans and operations of either or both parties, including diversion of management time from ongoing business operations; the risk that the Proposed Transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of either or both parties to hire and retain key personnel; the parties’ ability to raise debt on favorable terms or at all; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company, Equitable Holdings, their new parent company or their respective directors; restrictions on the conduct of the Company and Equitable Holdings’ respective businesses prior to Closing and on each of their ability to pursue alternatives to the Proposed Transaction; the possibility that the Proposed Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, or unforeseen or unknown liabilities; the deterioration of economic conditions; geopolitical tensions; the potential impact of a downgrade in the Company or Equitable Holdings’ Insurer Financial Strength ratings or credit ratings or of the new parent company of the Company and Equitable Holdings following completion of the Proposed Transaction; other factors that may affect future results of the Company and Equitable Holdings; and management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider these factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the new parent company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 discussed below and other documents filed or furnished by the Company and Equitable Holdings from time to time with the SEC, including their Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual events and results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither the Company nor Equitable Holdings presently know or that the Company and Equitable Holdings currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Company and Equitable Holdings’ expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company and Equitable Holdings anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company and Equitable Holdings’ assessments to change. While the Company and Equitable Holdings may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company and Equitable Holdings specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, unless required by applicable law. Neither the Company nor Equitable Holdings gives any assurance that the Company, Equitable Holdings or their new parent company will achieve the results or other matters set forth in the forward-looking statements.
 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
   
Corebridge Financial, Inc.
         
Date:
April 15, 2026
By:
/s/ Jeannette N. Pina
     
Name:
Jeannette N. Pina
     
Title:
Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

FAQ

What preliminary Q1 2026 variable investment income does Corebridge Financial (CRBD) expect?

Corebridge currently estimates Q1 2026 variable investment income between $15 million and $25 million pre-tax. This range reflects positive alternative investment returns largely offset by unrealized mark-to-market losses on investments carried at fair value in Adjusted Pre-Tax Operating Income.

How does Corebridge Financial (CRBD) define variable investment income in this update?

Variable investment income includes call and tender income on bonds, commercial mortgage loan prepayments, fair value changes on certain investments, interest on defaulted investments, income from alternative investments, and miscellaneous items such as consolidated partnership entities, reflecting more volatile, non-recurring investment-related earnings sources.

Is Corebridge Financial (CRBD) planning share repurchases before its merger with Equitable Holdings?

Corebridge is exploring potential share repurchases of its common stock before the pending merger with Equitable Holdings. Any buybacks would require a waiver under the merger agreement, and the decision, size, pricing and timing would remain entirely at the company’s discretion.

How do alternative investments affect Corebridge Financial’s (CRBD) preliminary results?

Positive returns from alternative investments, including private equity and real estate equity funds generally reported on a one-quarter lag, are expected. However, these gains are estimated to be offset by unrealized mark-to-market losses on certain fair value investments, limiting overall variable investment income impact this quarter.

Are Corebridge Financial’s (CRBD) preliminary figures audited or final?

No. The preliminary variable investment income range is estimated and unaudited, based on information available before completion of financial closing procedures for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. Actual results may differ once full U.S. GAAP financial statements and the formal quarterly earnings release are issued.

When will Corebridge Financial (CRBD) discuss its full Q1 2026 results?

Corebridge plans to release its quarterly earnings materials for the period ended March 31, 2026 on May 4, 2026, and expects to provide additional updates on variable investment income and related items during its first-quarter earnings call on May 5, 2026.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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