We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Kingstone Companies Stock Plunges 16% YTD: Time to Buy the Dip?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
KINS is down 16.3% YTD, compared with a 4% industry drop even as the sector and S&P 500 rise.
KINS targets $500M direct premiums by 2029, expanding from New York to California E&S and Connecticut in Q3.
KINS guides 2026 EPS of $2.20-$2.90, core premium growth of 15% and a combined ratio of 74% to 76%.
Shares of Kingstone Companies (KINS - Free Report) have lost 16.3% year to date, underperforming the industry’s decline of 4%. The Finance sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite have gained in the same time frame.
Kingstone Companies is one of the largest homeowner insurers in New York with a market capitalization of $204 million. Strong premium expansion, improving profitability and disciplined focus on its core New York market position it well for growth.
Kingstone has fared better than other insurers like Kinsale Capital (KNSL - Free Report) and Heritage Insurance Holdings (HRTG - Free Report) , which have lost 22.3% and 25% year to date, respectively.
KINS vs. Industry, Sector & S&P 500 YTD
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Are KINS Shares Expensive?
Kingstone Companies' shares are trading at a premium to the industry. Its price-to-book value of 1.66X is higher than the industry average of 1.32X but lower than the median of 1.85 over the last three years.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of Kinsale and Heritage are also trading at a multiple higher than the industry average.
Muted Analyst Sentiment for KINS
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KINS’ 2026 and 2027 earnings has witnessed no movement in the past 30 days.
The consensus estimate for KNSL’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved 1.1% and 2% south, respectively, in the past 30 days. Estimates for HRTG’s 2026 and 2027 earnings have moved 2.6% and 7.6% south, respectively, in the past 30 days.
Growth Estimates for KINS
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings indicates a 17.6% year-over-year decline but that for 2027 suggests a 26.1% year-over-year increase. The consensus estimates for 2026 and 2027 revenues suggest year-over-year improvements. KINS has a Growth Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
KINS expects 2026 earnings per share to be between $2.20 and $2.90.
Factors in Favor of KINS
Kingstone Companies is well-positioned to capitalize on favorable trends in the personal property insurance market as several competitors scale back or exit the segment. This environment creates opportunities for the company to strengthen its market presence and capture additional business.
Despite this positive outlook, the company remains exposed to concentration risk due to its limited product portfolio and geographic focus. To address this, Kingstone is executing a disciplined growth strategy centered on reinforcing its core operations while withdrawing from non-core and underperforming lines. The insurer continues to maintain strict underwriting discipline, focusing only on policies that align with its profitability and risk standards.
Kingstone targets $500 million in direct premiums by 2029, supported by continued growth in New York, selective geographic expansion and strategic inorganic opportunities. California has been identified as its first new market, with entry planned through the rapidly growing excess and surplus (E&S) homeowners segment. In addition, the company expects to begin writing admitted homeowners policies in Connecticut during the third quarter.
To offset inflationary pressures, Kingstone has refined its pricing strategy to better reflect underlying risks. Its partnership with Earnix has further strengthened pricing and underwriting capabilities. For 2026, the insurer projects 15%–20% growth in core direct written premiums. Operational efficiency has also improved, aided by higher average premiums and reduced commission and staffing expenses, resulting in a 1,100-basis-point improvement in the net expense ratio over the past four years.
Financially, Kingstone is in a much stronger position, supported by a solid reinsurance program, enhanced liquidity and a debt-free balance sheet. The company expects a combined ratio of 74%–76% in 2026. After reporting losses for three consecutive years, it returned to profitability in 2024, with net margins expanding significantly in 2025 due to disciplined underwriting, effective risk management and favorable market conditions.
Parting Thoughts on KINS Stock
Kingstone Companies’ focus on growing its core business and strengthening its niche market position, improving pricing and combined ratio, expanding margins and delivering strong earnings bodes well for growth. Its VGM Score of A and solid guidance instill confidence in the stock.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Kingstone Companies Stock Plunges 16% YTD: Time to Buy the Dip?
Key Takeaways
Shares of Kingstone Companies (KINS - Free Report) have lost 16.3% year to date, underperforming the industry’s decline of 4%. The Finance sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite have gained in the same time frame.
Kingstone Companies is one of the largest homeowner insurers in New York with a market capitalization of $204 million. Strong premium expansion, improving profitability and disciplined focus on its core New York market position it well for growth.
Kingstone has fared better than other insurers like Kinsale Capital (KNSL - Free Report) and Heritage Insurance Holdings (HRTG - Free Report) , which have lost 22.3% and 25% year to date, respectively.
KINS vs. Industry, Sector & S&P 500 YTD
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Are KINS Shares Expensive?
Kingstone Companies' shares are trading at a premium to the industry. Its price-to-book value of 1.66X is higher than the industry average of 1.32X but lower than the median of 1.85 over the last three years.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of Kinsale and Heritage are also trading at a multiple higher than the industry average.
Muted Analyst Sentiment for KINS
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KINS’ 2026 and 2027 earnings has witnessed no movement in the past 30 days.
The consensus estimate for KNSL’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved 1.1% and 2% south, respectively, in the past 30 days. Estimates for HRTG’s 2026 and 2027 earnings have moved 2.6% and 7.6% south, respectively, in the past 30 days.
Growth Estimates for KINS
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings indicates a 17.6% year-over-year decline but that for 2027 suggests a 26.1% year-over-year increase. The consensus estimates for 2026 and 2027 revenues suggest year-over-year improvements. KINS has a Growth Score of B.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
KINS expects 2026 earnings per share to be between $2.20 and $2.90.
Factors in Favor of KINS
Kingstone Companies is well-positioned to capitalize on favorable trends in the personal property insurance market as several competitors scale back or exit the segment. This environment creates opportunities for the company to strengthen its market presence and capture additional business.
Despite this positive outlook, the company remains exposed to concentration risk due to its limited product portfolio and geographic focus. To address this, Kingstone is executing a disciplined growth strategy centered on reinforcing its core operations while withdrawing from non-core and underperforming lines. The insurer continues to maintain strict underwriting discipline, focusing only on policies that align with its profitability and risk standards.
Kingstone targets $500 million in direct premiums by 2029, supported by continued growth in New York, selective geographic expansion and strategic inorganic opportunities. California has been identified as its first new market, with entry planned through the rapidly growing excess and surplus (E&S) homeowners segment. In addition, the company expects to begin writing admitted homeowners policies in Connecticut during the third quarter.
To offset inflationary pressures, Kingstone has refined its pricing strategy to better reflect underlying risks. Its partnership with Earnix has further strengthened pricing and underwriting capabilities. For 2026, the insurer projects 15%–20% growth in core direct written premiums. Operational efficiency has also improved, aided by higher average premiums and reduced commission and staffing expenses, resulting in a 1,100-basis-point improvement in the net expense ratio over the past four years.
Financially, Kingstone is in a much stronger position, supported by a solid reinsurance program, enhanced liquidity and a debt-free balance sheet. The company expects a combined ratio of 74%–76% in 2026. After reporting losses for three consecutive years, it returned to profitability in 2024, with net margins expanding significantly in 2025 due to disciplined underwriting, effective risk management and favorable market conditions.
Parting Thoughts on KINS Stock
Kingstone Companies’ focus on growing its core business and strengthening its niche market position, improving pricing and combined ratio, expanding margins and delivering strong earnings bodes well for growth. Its VGM Score of A and solid guidance instill confidence in the stock.
Despite its premium valuation, it is time to add this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock to one’s portfolio. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.