Kemper Corp.’s fourth-quarter profit increased 55% to...

Kemper Corp.’s fourth-quarter profit increased 55% to $69.4 million. Revenue totaled $748.6 million, up 1%. For the year, the Long Grove, Ill., insurer posted earnings of $224 million, down 10%, on revenue of $3 billion, up 4%. Kemper attributed the improvement in the quarter to its sale or transfer of less profitable units in California and Massachusetts and ongoing expense controls, backed by improved automated operational procedures. The firm also noted that it took a charge resulting from its national property-casualty insurance subsidiary’s exit from what it called the unprofitable Massachusetts auto market.

Tables, Page 4