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MGIC Investment (MTG) Prospects Look Bright: Time to Invest?
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Shares of MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG - Free Report) gained 35.95% in the last one year, significantly outperforming the Zacks categorized Multi line Insurance industry’s growth of 25.15%. The company also witnessed full-year 2017 estimates moving north by 1% in the past 60 days. We expect the company to retain its momentum on the back of a number of positives.
The company remains committed toward growing its insurance in force. New insurance of $48 billion in 2016 was driven by larger origination volume as well as an increase in the private mortgage insurance industry’s market share. Given the FHA premium cut, the company estimates 5–10% lower new business written in 2017. Nonetheless, the new business and the expected increase in persistency are anticipated to grow insurance in force moderately in 2017.
MGIC Investment witnessed a 19% decline in paid claims in 2016 and expects further decrease in the metric owing to lesser claim filings. A decline in loss and claims will strengthen the company’s balance sheet, in turn, improving its financial profile.
The Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) multi line insurer’s growing private mortgage market share continues to boost insurance in force, in turn, driving the future revenues. MGIC Investment expects to gain 19–20% market share in the industry it operates. It currently has 18% market share.
In addition, a strong capital position will allow the company to repurchase some of its convertible debt. This will lower its interest burden as well as facilitate margin expansion.
Also, the valuation seems attractive when compared with the S&P 500. While shares of MGIC Investment is trading at 1.39x price to book multiple over a period of one year, the S&P 500 market’s multiple of 3.57x over the same time frame. However, the stock is trading higher than the Multi line Insurance industry’s multiple of 1.34x.
Notably, MGIC Investment carries a VGM score of B. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Further, MGIC Investment has a trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) of 15.9%, which is slightly higher than the industry average of 15.2%.
Stocks to Consider
Investors interested in other stocks from the insurance industry can consider James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (JRVR - Free Report) , Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and Old Republic International Corporation (ORI - Free Report) . Each of these stocks holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
James River Group offers specialty insurance and reinsurance services in the U.S. The company delivered positive surprises in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 3.60%.
Argo Group International Holdings underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the P&C market worldwide. The company delivered positive surprises in all of the last four quarters with an average beat of 36.54%.
Old Republic deals in the insurance underwriting and related services business, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The company delivered positive surprises in two of the last four quarters with an average beat of 12.71%.
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MGIC Investment (MTG) Prospects Look Bright: Time to Invest?
Shares of MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG - Free Report) gained 35.95% in the last one year, significantly outperforming the Zacks categorized Multi line Insurance industry’s growth of 25.15%. The company also witnessed full-year 2017 estimates moving north by 1% in the past 60 days. We expect the company to retain its momentum on the back of a number of positives.
The company remains committed toward growing its insurance in force. New insurance of $48 billion in 2016 was driven by larger origination volume as well as an increase in the private mortgage insurance industry’s market share. Given the FHA premium cut, the company estimates 5–10% lower new business written in 2017. Nonetheless, the new business and the expected increase in persistency are anticipated to grow insurance in force moderately in 2017.
MGIC Investment witnessed a 19% decline in paid claims in 2016 and expects further decrease in the metric owing to lesser claim filings. A decline in loss and claims will strengthen the company’s balance sheet, in turn, improving its financial profile.
The Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) multi line insurer’s growing private mortgage market share continues to boost insurance in force, in turn, driving the future revenues. MGIC Investment expects to gain 19–20% market share in the industry it operates. It currently has 18% market share.
In addition, a strong capital position will allow the company to repurchase some of its convertible debt. This will lower its interest burden as well as facilitate margin expansion.
Also, the valuation seems attractive when compared with the S&P 500. While shares of MGIC Investment is trading at 1.39x price to book multiple over a period of one year, the S&P 500 market’s multiple of 3.57x over the same time frame. However, the stock is trading higher than the Multi line Insurance industry’s multiple of 1.34x.
Notably, MGIC Investment carries a VGM score of B. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Further, MGIC Investment has a trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) of 15.9%, which is slightly higher than the industry average of 15.2%.
Stocks to Consider
Investors interested in other stocks from the insurance industry can consider James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (JRVR - Free Report) , Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and Old Republic International Corporation (ORI - Free Report) . Each of these stocks holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
James River Group offers specialty insurance and reinsurance services in the U.S. The company delivered positive surprises in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 3.60%.
Argo Group International Holdings underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the P&C market worldwide. The company delivered positive surprises in all of the last four quarters with an average beat of 36.54%.
Old Republic deals in the insurance underwriting and related services business, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The company delivered positive surprises in two of the last four quarters with an average beat of 12.71%.
5 Trades Could Profit "Big-League" from Trump Policies
If the stocks above spark your interest, wait until you look into companies primed to make substantial gains from Washington's changing course. Today Zacks reveals 5 tickers that could benefit from new trends like streamlined drug approvals, tariffs, lower taxes, higher interest rates, and spending surges in defense and infrastructure. See these buy recommendations now >>