After spending much of the past two years at a less-than-impressive two-star rank, Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU) has impressed enough top-performing members of our 170,000-strong Motley Fool CAPS community to climb out of the rut and up to three stars. A total of 614 members have given their opinion on the financial services firm, with many of them offering analysis explaining the recent optimism.

With earnings improving and both trailing and forward earnings multiples in the single digits, more CAPS members are warming up to Prudential Financial as a good long-term value play. The company saw a big increase in revenue and earnings in the second quarter, with top-line growth of 39%. Operating income, excluding net realized investment gains and losses, also blew past analysts' expectations.

Prudential wasn't the only company showing strong results. Several others in the broader insurance industry posted similar upticks in business in the second quarter. Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B) saw underwriting profits from its insurance unit jump about sevenfold, while MetLife (NYSE: MET) and auto and property insurer Allstate (NYSE: ALL) both posted market-beating operating income.

Prudential is aware of the uncertainties that linger in global financial markets. But in contrast to Hartford Financial's (NYSE: HIG) lowered expectations for the year, Prudential's CEO said the company's on track to meet its financial targets, and has never been more confident in its long-term prospects. Many CAPS members responded positively to that outlook, believing in the company's strong brand and healthy competitive position.

The company may soon get a much bigger contribution from international markets as well. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Prudential is eyeing two AIG (NYSE: AIG) life insurance companies in Japan. Prudential has generated earnings in Japan for decades -- a country that's been the driving force behind outsized returns for insurer Aflac (NYSE: AFL) -- and has previously expressed an interest in expanding there. Overall, CAPS members like its position at home and abroad, and believe it will take advantage of a potential recovery in the coming years.   

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