Axis Capital (AXS) vs Essent Group (ESNT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Essent Group (ESNT) has outperformed Axis Capital (AXS) over the past year, gaining 6.7% versus a gain of 0.5%. Over five years, AXS leads with a +87.7% price change compared with +29.5% for ESNT. Axis Capital is the larger company by market cap ($7.11 billion vs $5.72 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Axis Capital trades at a lower forward P/E (7.3x vs 8.0x for Essent Group). Essent Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.08% vs 1.81%). Essent Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 54.7% versus 15.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AXS | ESNT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $97.50 | $63.59 |
| Market cap | $7.11B | $5.72B |
| 1-day change | +2.25% | +2.73% |
| YTD return | -8.96% | -2.18% |
| 1-year return | +0.52% | +6.68% |
| 5-year return | +87.68% | +29.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 6.93 | 8.87 |
| Forward P/E | 7.28 | 7.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $14.06 | $7.17 |
| Dividend yield | 1.81% | 2.08% |
| Annual dividend | $1.76 | $1.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.56B | $1.26B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.17% | +1.45% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.01B | $689.97M |
| Net margin | 15.37% | 54.72% |
| 52-week high | $119.99 | $70.37 |
| 52-week low | $88.07 | $55.34 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.74% | -9.63% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.41% | +17.72% |
| Average volume | 681.59K | 669.20K |
| Shares outstanding | 72.97M | 89.88M |
| Employees | 1,966 | 518 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Property-Casualty Insurers | Property-Casualty Insurers |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Essent Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (8.9x vs 6.9x trailing P/E).
- Essent Group is more profitable, keeping 54.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 15.4 cents for Axis Capital.
- Axis Capital grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.17% vs +1.45%).
About Axis Capital
AXS stock →AXIS Capital Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides various specialty insurance and reinsurance products in Bermuda, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Insurance and Reinsurance.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 1,966 employees
About Essent Group
ESNT stock →Essent Group Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance and reinsurance, and title insurance and settlement services to mortgage lenders, borrowers, and investors in the United States. It operates through two segments, Mortgage Insurance and Reinsurance.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 518 employees
AXS vs ESNT FAQ
Which is bigger, Axis Capital or Essent Group?
Axis Capital (AXS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.11B compared with $5.72B for Essent Group (ESNT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AXS or ESNT?
ESNT returned +6.68% over the past 12 months, compared with +0.52% for AXS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AXS or ESNT?
AXS has the lower trailing P/E at 6.9, versus 8.9 for ESNT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Axis Capital or Essent Group?
Essent Group has the higher yield at 2.08%, compared with 1.81% for Axis Capital.
Are Axis Capital and Essent Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Property-Casualty Insurers industry within the Finance sector.