Essent Group (ESNT) vs First American (New) (FAF)
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 First American (New) (FAF) over the past year, gaining 6.7% versus a gain of 3.3%. Over five years, ESNT leads with a +29.5% price change compared with -14.1% for FAF. First American (New) is the larger company by market cap ($6.41 billion vs $5.72 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Essent Group trades at a lower forward P/E (8.0x vs 8.6x for First American (New)). First American (New) offers the higher dividend yield (3.50% vs 2.08%). Essent Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 54.7% versus 8.3%.
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 | ESNT | FAF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.59 | $62.81 |
| Market cap | $5.72B | $6.41B |
| 1-day change | +2.73% | +2.48% |
| YTD return | -2.18% | +2.23% |
| 1-year return | +6.68% | +3.34% |
| 5-year return | +29.48% | -14.15% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.87 | 8.70 |
| Forward P/E | 7.99 | 8.65 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.17 | $7.22 |
| Dividend yield | 2.08% | 3.50% |
| Annual dividend | $1.32 | $2.20 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.26B | $7.45B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.45% | +21.61% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $689.97M | $621.80M |
| Net margin | 54.72% | 8.34% |
| 52-week high | $70.37 | $79.87 |
| 52-week low | $55.34 | $56.20 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.63% | -21.36% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.72% | +37.45% |
| Average volume | 669.20K | 809.90K |
| Shares outstanding | 89.88M | 102.10M |
| Employees | 518 | 19,102 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Property-Casualty Insurers | Specialty 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
- First American (New) offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.50% vs 2.08%).
- Essent Group is more profitable, keeping 54.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.3 cents for First American (New).
- First American (New) grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+21.61% vs +1.45%).
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
About First American (New)
FAF stock →First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Home Warranty segments.
Finance · Specialty Insurers · 19,102 employees
ESNT vs FAF FAQ
Which is bigger, Essent Group or First American (New)?
First American (New) (FAF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.41B compared with $5.72B for Essent Group (ESNT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESNT or FAF?
ESNT returned +6.68% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.34% for FAF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESNT or FAF?
FAF has the lower trailing P/E at 8.7, 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, Essent Group or First American (New)?
First American (New) has the higher yield at 3.50%, compared with 2.08% for Essent Group.
Are Essent Group and First American (New) in the same industry?
Both are in the Finance sector, but in different industries: Property-Casualty Insurers for Essent Group and Specialty Insurers for First American (New).