Essent Group (ESNT) vs Kinsale Capital Group (KNSL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Essent Group (ESNT) has outperformed Kinsale Capital Group (KNSL) over the past year, gaining 6.7% versus a loss of 29.1%. Over five years, KNSL leads with a +100.0% price change compared with +29.5% for ESNT. Kinsale Capital Group is the larger company by market cap ($7.74 billion vs $5.72 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, Essent Group trades at a lower forward P/E (8.0x vs 15.7x for Kinsale Capital Group). Essent Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.08% vs 0.25%). Essent Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 54.7% versus 26.9%.
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 | KNSL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.59 | $339.65 |
| Market cap | $5.72B | $7.74B |
| 1-day change | +2.73% | +2.71% |
| YTD return | -2.18% | -13.16% |
| 1-year return | +6.68% | -29.09% |
| 5-year return | +29.48% | +99.96% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.87 | 13.78 |
| Forward P/E | 7.99 | 15.66 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.17 | $24.65 |
| Dividend yield | 2.08% | 0.25% |
| Annual dividend | $1.32 | $0.84 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.26B | $1.87B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.45% | +18.04% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $689.97M | $503.61M |
| Net margin | 54.72% | 26.87% |
| 52-week high | $70.37 | $480.49 |
| 52-week low | $55.34 | $287.20 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.63% | -29.31% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.72% | +3.21% |
| Average volume | 669.20K | 243.52K |
| Shares outstanding | 89.88M | 22.78M |
| Employees | 518 | 711 |
| 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
- ESNT has outperformed KNSL by 35.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Kinsale Capital Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (13.8x vs 8.9x trailing P/E).
- Essent Group offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.08% vs 0.25%).
- Essent Group is more profitable, keeping 54.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 26.9 cents for Kinsale Capital Group.
- Kinsale Capital Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.04% 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 Kinsale Capital Group
KNSL stock →Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. engages in the provision of property and casualty insurance products in the United States.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 711 employees
ESNT vs KNSL FAQ
Which is bigger, Essent Group or Kinsale Capital Group?
Kinsale Capital Group (KNSL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.74B compared with $5.72B for Essent Group (ESNT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESNT or KNSL?
ESNT returned +6.68% over the past 12 months, compared with -29.09% for KNSL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESNT or KNSL?
ESNT has the lower trailing P/E at 8.9, versus 13.8 for KNSL. 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 Kinsale Capital Group?
Essent Group has the higher yield at 2.08%, compared with 0.25% for Kinsale Capital Group.
Are Essent Group and Kinsale Capital Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Property-Casualty Insurers industry within the Finance sector.