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CB Stock Trades at 1.62x Book Value: Is the Valuation Worth It?
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Key Takeaways
Chubb's P&C underwriting income rose 18.8% to $1.94 billion, while its combined ratio improved to 83.8%.
CB's adjusted net investment income reached a record $1.88 billion, up 11.4% year over year.
Chubb returned $1.37 billion to shareholders in Q2, bringing first-half capital returns to $2.90 billion.
Shares of Chubb Limited (CB - Free Report) are trading at a premium compared with the industry. Its trailing 12-month price-to-book value of 1.62X is higher than the industry average of 1.43X. However, it currently carries a Value Score of B.
The premium valuation reflects investors' confidence in Chubb's strong profitability, underwriting discipline and growth prospects. However, the higher multiple raises the question of whether the company's fundamentals are strong enough to justify the premium.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of some of its peers, like The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) , W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB - Free Report) and The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) , are trading at a multiple higher than the industry average.
CB’s Strong Return on Equity
Return on equity (ROE) for the trailing 12 months was 14.5%, significantly above the industry's 7.5%. Core operating return on tangible equity was 21.2% in the second quarter of 2026. Moreover, ROE has remained around 14% over the past three and five years, reflecting the company's consistent ability to generate returns from shareholders' funds.
CB Is an Outperformer
Chubb shares have gained 21.3% in the past year, outperforming the industry’s growth of 0.8%.
Shares of other insurers, including TRV, have gained 31.1%, while PGR and WRB have lost 11.1% and 6.5%, respectively, in the past year.
1-Year Price Performance: CB, TRV, WRB, PGR & Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CB’s Growth Projection Encourages
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chubb’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of 10.3%. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $64.34 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 7.3%.
The consensus estimate for 2027 EPS and revenues indicates an increase of 5.6% and 4.1%, respectively, from the corresponding 2026 estimates. The expected long-term earnings growth is pegged at 7.7%.
Optimist Analyst Sentiment on CB
The company has witnessed 13 upward earnings estimate revisions for 2026 over the past 60 days, against no movement in the opposite direction. For 2027, it has witnessed five upward revisions against one downward movement. Thus, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings have moved up 2.7% and 0.2%, respectively, over the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Factors That Benefit CB Stock
Chubb's underwriting operations remain a major earnings driver. The company prioritizes profitability over premium growth by exiting inadequately priced business, particularly in large-account property insurance. P&C underwriting income increased 18.8% year over year to $1.94 billion in the second quarter of 2026, while the combined ratio improved to 83.8% from 85.6% in the prior-year quarter, reflecting strong underwriting profitability.
Chubb continues to benefit from broad-based premium growth across its businesses, supported by strong performance in its middle-market and international commercial businesses. Middle-market and small commercial premiums increased 8.9% in the second quarter, while overseas commercial insurance premiums rose 8.8%.
CB pursues strategic mergers and acquisitions to diversify its portfolio, add capabilities and synergies, and expand its geographic footprint. Acquisitions, including Catalyst Aviation Insurance and Liberty Mutual's operations in Thailand and Vietnam, have strengthened its product offerings, distribution network and presence in key international markets. Continued investments in AI, digital capabilities and distribution, along with strong broker relationships, are driving new business growth and improve renewal rates.
Higher investment income, supported by the company's fixed-income and alternative asset portfolios, provides an additional source of earnings growth alongside underwriting operations. Adjusted net investment income reached a record $1.88 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up 11.4% year over year.
Chubb's strong cash generation supports shareholder returns and continued capital deployment. The company returned $1.37 billion to shareholders in the second quarter of 2026 through dividends and share repurchases, bringing total capital returned in the first six months to $2.90 billion.
Chubb continues to generate strong growth in book value. As of 30 June 2026, tangible book value per share rose 17.1% to $131.93. The continued growth in book value and tangible book value reflects the company's strong earnings generation and supports the case for its valuation.
Risks for CB
Chubb remains exposed to catastrophe losses from hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and other severe events, which induce volatility in underwriting profitability and affect the combined ratio. Pretax catastrophe losses totaled $475 million in the second quarter of 2026.
Softening commercial insurance pricing remains a headwind for Chubb, as continued rate declines could weigh on premium growth and profitability.
Conclusion
Chubb is positioned to deliver continued earnings and book-value growth through strong underwriting profitability, middle-market and overseas commercial expansion, higher investment income and disciplined capital management. Favorable estimates, optimistic analyst sentiment and higher ROE are other positives. A VGM Score of A instils confidence.
While the premium valuation appears justified by Chubb's profitability and growth profile, continued earnings growth and underwriting discipline will be important to sustain the higher multiple. Catastrophe losses and softer commercial pricing remain risks. It is wise to retain this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
CB Stock Trades at 1.62x Book Value: Is the Valuation Worth It?
Key Takeaways
Shares of Chubb Limited (CB - Free Report) are trading at a premium compared with the industry. Its trailing 12-month price-to-book value of 1.62X is higher than the industry average of 1.43X. However, it currently carries a Value Score of B.
The premium valuation reflects investors' confidence in Chubb's strong profitability, underwriting discipline and growth prospects. However, the higher multiple raises the question of whether the company's fundamentals are strong enough to justify the premium.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of some of its peers, like The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) , W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB - Free Report) and The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) , are trading at a multiple higher than the industry average.
CB’s Strong Return on Equity
Return on equity (ROE) for the trailing 12 months was 14.5%, significantly above the industry's 7.5%. Core operating return on tangible equity was 21.2% in the second quarter of 2026. Moreover, ROE has remained around 14% over the past three and five years, reflecting the company's consistent ability to generate returns from shareholders' funds.
CB Is an Outperformer
Chubb shares have gained 21.3% in the past year, outperforming the industry’s growth of 0.8%.
Shares of other insurers, including TRV, have gained 31.1%, while PGR and WRB have lost 11.1% and 6.5%, respectively, in the past year.
1-Year Price Performance: CB, TRV, WRB, PGR & Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CB’s Growth Projection Encourages
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chubb’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of 10.3%. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $64.34 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 7.3%.
The consensus estimate for 2027 EPS and revenues indicates an increase of 5.6% and 4.1%, respectively, from the corresponding 2026 estimates. The expected long-term earnings growth is pegged at 7.7%.
Optimist Analyst Sentiment on CB
The company has witnessed 13 upward earnings estimate revisions for 2026 over the past 60 days, against no movement in the opposite direction. For 2027, it has witnessed five upward revisions against one downward movement. Thus, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings have moved up 2.7% and 0.2%, respectively, over the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Factors That Benefit CB Stock
Chubb's underwriting operations remain a major earnings driver. The company prioritizes profitability over premium growth by exiting inadequately priced business, particularly in large-account property insurance. P&C underwriting income increased 18.8% year over year to $1.94 billion in the second quarter of 2026, while the combined ratio improved to 83.8% from 85.6% in the prior-year quarter, reflecting strong underwriting profitability.
Chubb continues to benefit from broad-based premium growth across its businesses, supported by strong performance in its middle-market and international commercial businesses. Middle-market and small commercial premiums increased 8.9% in the second quarter, while overseas commercial insurance premiums rose 8.8%.
CB pursues strategic mergers and acquisitions to diversify its portfolio, add capabilities and synergies, and expand its geographic footprint. Acquisitions, including Catalyst Aviation Insurance and Liberty Mutual's operations in Thailand and Vietnam, have strengthened its product offerings, distribution network and presence in key international markets. Continued investments in AI, digital capabilities and distribution, along with strong broker relationships, are driving new business growth and improve renewal rates.
Higher investment income, supported by the company's fixed-income and alternative asset portfolios, provides an additional source of earnings growth alongside underwriting operations. Adjusted net investment income reached a record $1.88 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up 11.4% year over year.
Chubb's strong cash generation supports shareholder returns and continued capital deployment. The company returned $1.37 billion to shareholders in the second quarter of 2026 through dividends and share repurchases, bringing total capital returned in the first six months to $2.90 billion.
Chubb continues to generate strong growth in book value. As of 30 June 2026, tangible book value per share rose 17.1% to $131.93. The continued growth in book value and tangible book value reflects the company's strong earnings generation and supports the case for its valuation.
Risks for CB
Chubb remains exposed to catastrophe losses from hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and other severe events, which induce volatility in underwriting profitability and affect the combined ratio. Pretax catastrophe losses totaled $475 million in the second quarter of 2026.
Softening commercial insurance pricing remains a headwind for Chubb, as continued rate declines could weigh on premium growth and profitability.
Conclusion
Chubb is positioned to deliver continued earnings and book-value growth through strong underwriting profitability, middle-market and overseas commercial expansion, higher investment income and disciplined capital management. Favorable estimates, optimistic analyst sentiment and higher ROE are other positives. A VGM Score of A instils confidence.
While the premium valuation appears justified by Chubb's profitability and growth profile, continued earnings growth and underwriting discipline will be important to sustain the higher multiple. Catastrophe losses and softer commercial pricing remain risks. It is wise to retain this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.