Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) shares are slipping today.
Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) insurance company closed yesterday trading for $17.26. In early afternoon trade on Wednesday, shares are swapping hands for $16.85 apiece, down 2.4%.
For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.2% at this same time.
Taking a step back, Suncorp shares have fallen 25.8% over the past 12 months. Much of the selling pressure came amid elevated natural hazard payouts related to extreme weather events in the latter months of 2025.
But investors' capital losses will have been somewhat mitigated by the two Suncorp dividend payouts.
Over the past 12 months, the ASX 200 insurance stock paid out a total of 90 cents a share in fully franked dividends. This sees Suncorp stock trading on a 5.3% trailing dividend yield.
Suncorp shares tipped for big 2026 rebound
While 2025 was a year to forget for Suncorp stockholders, 2026 could deliver a big turnaround.
That's according to the analysts at Goldman Sachs (courtesy of The Bull).
The broker recently upgraded Suncorp shares to a buy rating with a $20 price target. That represents a potential upside of 18.7% from current levels. And it doesn't include the two upcoming Suncorp dividends.
What's been happening with the ASX 200 insurance stock?
Suncorp reported its full-year FY 2025 results on 14 August.
Among the highlights, the 2025 financial year saw the ASX 200 insurer complete its sale of Suncorp Bank to ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ). Separately, Suncorp also sold off its New Zealand Life business.
The sales helped drive a 52% year-on-year increase in Suncorp's net profit after tax (NPAT) to $1.82 billion.
Investors were also bidding up Suncorp shares on the day after management announced the company would commence an on-market share buyback of up to $400 million. That buyback that started in September is scheduled to run through to the end of FY 2026.
"Our disciplined approach to capital management and robust capital position has enabled us to announce an on-market buy-back of up to $400 million," Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston said.
Johnston added:
Our strong set of results delivered this year included the one-off profits on the sale of Suncorp Bank and New Zealand Life, significantly higher investment returns and weather costs across Australia and New Zealand that were favourable to allowance by more than $200 million.
Looking at what could impact Suncorp shares in the months ahead, the insurance company forecasts gross written premium growth in the mid-single digits for the full FY 2026 financial year.
