Skyward Specialty Insurance (SKWD Quick QuoteSKWD - Free Report) reported $455.34 million in revenue for the quarter ended September 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 19%. EPS of $1.28 for the same period compares to $1.05 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of -10.25% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $507.32 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.22, the EPS surprise was +4.92%.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how Skyward performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Expense ratio: 28.2% versus 28.3% estimated by five analysts on average.
• Loss ratio: 61.7% versus the five-analyst average estimate of 62.6%.
• Combined ratio: 89.9% versus the five-analyst average estimate of 90.9%.
• Revenues- Net earned premiums: $406.86 million compared to the $454.27 million average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +15.7% year over year.
• Revenues- Commission and fee income: $3.12 million compared to the $2.15 million average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +63.8% year over year.
• Revenues- Underwriting fee income: $11 million versus $13.24 million estimated by four analysts on average.

View all Key Company Metrics for Skyward here>>>

Shares of Skyward have returned +8.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.