Essent Group (ESNT) vs Mercury General (MCY)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Mercury General (MCY) has outperformed Essent Group (ESNT) over the past year, gaining 19.5% versus a gain of 3.0%. Over five years, MCY leads with a +85.0% price change compared with +26.0% for ESNT. On valuation, Essent Group trades at a lower forward P/E (7.9x vs 8.4x for Mercury General).
Essent Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.10% vs 1.24%). Essent Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 54.7% versus 9.0%.
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 | MCY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $62.89 | $102.80 |
| Market cap | $5.65B | — |
| 1-day change | +1.60% | +0.50% |
| YTD return | -4.78% | +8.75% |
| 1-year return | +3.01% | +19.50% |
| 5-year return | +26.04% | +84.97% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.77 | 6.08 |
| Forward P/E | 7.90 | 8.39 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.17 | $16.92 |
| Dividend yield | 2.10% | 1.24% |
| Annual dividend | $1.32 | $1.27 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.26B | $5.99B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.45% | +9.44% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $689.97M | $541.09M |
| Gross margin | — | 99.75% |
| Net margin | 54.72% | 9.03% |
| 52-week high | $70.37 | $113.06 |
| 52-week low | $55.34 | $74.29 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.63% | -9.07% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.03% | +16.73% |
| Average volume | 669.20K | 293.12K |
| Shares outstanding | 89.88M | — |
| Employees | 518 | 4,380 |
| 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
- MCY has outperformed ESNT by 16.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Essent Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (8.8x vs 6.1x trailing P/E).
- Essent Group is more profitable, keeping 54.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 9.0 cents for Mercury General.
- Mercury General grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.44% 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 Mercury General
MCY stock →Mercury General Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in writing personal automobile insurance in the United States. It also writes homeowners, commercial automobile, commercial property, mechanical protection, and umbrella insurance products.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 4,380 employees
ESNT vs MCY FAQ
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESNT or MCY?
MCY returned +19.50% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.01% for ESNT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESNT or MCY?
MCY has the lower trailing P/E at 6.1, versus 8.8 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 Mercury General?
Essent Group has the higher yield at 2.10%, compared with 1.24% for Mercury General.
Are Essent Group and Mercury General in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Property-Casualty Insurers industry within the Finance sector.